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“And here I thought you wanted me to give your idea proper consideration.”
I raise hopeful eyes to his. “So you’ll help me convince Valentino that we should date first? See how this threesome thing works before getting married?”
“No,” he says, popping the hope bubbling inside my chest. “I’ll relay the information, but I can’t convince him when I’m not convinced.”
“B-b-but why?”
“Your solution doesn’t solve the big concern Valentino and I share. A girlfriend,” he stresses with harsh movements, “means as much to Giulio as a stranger, and that status will not shield you from his machinations.”
Despite the truth he paints, disappointment weighs on me. I slink into the chair, not liking the nuclear option I have as a backup. “What if I agree to everything, but on one condition?”
“I’m listening.”
It’s my turn to fold my arms to soothe the riotous emotions inside me. The idea is still bad, with lots of opportunity for disaster. “What if I consent to a marriage with Valentino, and the two of you…sharing me for a specific time limit?”
Tácito’s body stiffens. His scowl is hot enough to singe my skin, but I endure the itchy, burning sensation. If I want any semblance of freedom to find who put me in my current condition, I need them to agree. With Valentino’s stubborn nature and Tácito firmly on his team, my options are limited.
Valentino will keep me tied until I come around to his way of thinking. This way, I’ll achieve two objectives: discover who wants me dead more than Giulio and maintain some control over myself and the situation with Tácito and Valentino. Having a term in mind will allow me to guard what little of my heart doesn’t already belong to them. I might even survive when we sign the divorce papers.
As Tácito prolongs my dread with his silence, I infuse my gaze with all the pleading I won’t let pass my lips. When we were younger, I never had to work so hard to get Tácito on my side. My earnestness used to be enough to convince him to do what I wanted. His desire to please me has kept Valentino in the dark about how bad things got for me in our old neighborhood.
I didn’t want Valentino to ruin his future for me then. I want it even less now.
Tácito’s shoulders droop, giving me the sign I need to release my pent-up breath. “I need to give this more consideration because it does address one of our major concerns. To be honest, I still don’t like it but it is one possible solution.”
A big smile stretches my cheeks and my eyes water, though happiness is nowhere nearby. Today marks the first day of my acting career. What am I talking about? I should be a pro by now considering I’ve acted like I wasn’t in love with these two men for most of my life. But now, I won’t have the safety that comes with distance to recoup and put on a fresh costume for new takes.
Tácito picks up his fork and cuts into his waffle. “Your food is getting cold. I had to chase Kori’s food truck all over Douglas before I finally got to her last location.”
“Fine,” I say and follow suit. “But this meal isn’t enough to forget that you’re holding me captive.”
He shrugs. “Change your mindset and it won’t bother you.”
“Ch-ch-ch,” I sputter but can’t get a word out after his salty response.
“You’re still recovering from your injuries. In four weeks, we can revisit whether your stay is voluntary.”
I lay my fork on the table once again. Unable to hold my silence about the changes I’ve seen in him, I say, “I don’t get it. I never expected you to blindly follow Valentino with this. You’re considerate and sweet and—”
“On the same page with Valentino. What you don’t understand is I’ve held my tongue for too many years. He knows how long I’ve waited for you to realize what’s been in front of you all along. His way of doing things will get me what I want where my patience gave me an empty home and bed. Even if we accommodate your demands, I still get my dream fulfilled.” His steely glare pins me to my seat. “Now, tell me, why wouldn’t I follow him?”
CHAPTER NINE
Valentino
An eerie silence fills city hall. The usual voices of angry constituents, frantic assistants to various government officials, and the reverent tour guides leading a group of tourists are noticeably absent. Even my footsteps, which usually echo, soften under the oppressive quiet.
No one meets my eyes as Trevor, Ethan, and I navigate the halls to my office.
It’s begun. Giulio’s first salvo into ruining me, and it only took him two and a half weeks.
Once the door closes behind Trevor, I say, “What’s happened?”
Trevor reaches for his phone and methodically swipes at the surface. “Shit. There’s a news article that speculates your combative history with Councilman Roberts makes you a lead suspect in his death.”
I turn a narrowed glare on my employee. One reason I’ve kept Trevor so long is his ability to remain calm, but I’m not appreciating that quality at the moment. “When did the article post?”
“While we were in transit, discussing today’s agenda.” He stares at me as if daring me to take him to task.
