Chapter 7
1.1
Valentina hadn’t expected Fabiano to react like this.
She thought he’d be over the moon about becoming a father, and with Arianna’s wedding creating the perfect distraction, he’d forget all about his past and they could ride off into the sunset together.
“Maybe that doctor screwed up the diagnosis.”
“It was a war zone, and he was some sketchy back alley medic. You know those guys can’t be trusted.“[]
Fabiano wasn’t buying her bullshit for a second.[]
He hurled his whiskey tumbler at the floor with vicious force. The crystal exploded against the hardwood like a bomb going off, sending razor–sharp fragments everywhere]
Valentina jumped out of her skin. In her mind, Fabiano had always been the most gentle, soft–spoken guy in the entire Moretti family.
“Fabiano, please, you’re scaring me….
Fabiano stared down at the trembling woman with eyes so cold they could have frozen the Mediterranean, like she was already a corpse.[]
“I’m giving you one shot to make this right.“]
“Either you come clean right fucking now, or I have my guys dig up the truth and then I put a bullet between your eyes.”
Valentina was still trying to figure out her next lie when she caught her reflection in his pupils–and saw him sliding a round
into the chamber.
She crumpled to the floor like a broken doll, her pathetic tears doing absolutely nothing to soften his expression. The cold steel pressed against her forehead, exactly like when I’d counted down earlier.
“Three… two…“]
“Stop! Jesus Christ, I’ll tell you everything!“]]
Late that night, Fabiano showed up at my villa in the middle of a biblical downpour. He was soaked to the bone and absolutely refused to leave until he saw me. After my staff tried and failed to get rid of him three times, they finally knocked on my bedroom door. I massaged my temples and threw on a silk robe, beyond annoyed.[]
Get him a damn towel and tell the kitchen to make ginger tea.”
In the living room, I studied Fabiano like he was an interesting bug. “What’s so earth–shattering it couldn’t wait until daylight?“]
“What–finally figured out your little housewife really is knocked up and now you’re having a breakdown?“]
“You’re gonna be daddy. Time to grow the hell up.“]
Fabiano’s face went white as sheet, his voice cracking with disbelief:[]
“You… you knew this whole time?”
I laughed–cold and sharp as broken glass–shaking my head like he was the dumbest man alive.
“Did five years
in Moscow turn your brain to mush, or do you actually think I’m some helpless little princess like your precious Valentina? The day Papa dragged your sorry ass back from the gutter, I was so pissed I nearly decorated the wall with your brains.”
Fabiano’s eyes filled with tears, his whole body shaking:
“Then why the hell did you…“]
I cocked my head, my smile cruel enough to cut diamonds.]
“Why? Because you’re pathetic. Because you’re so damn easy to manipulate it’s almost boring. Three sentences and you were ready to throw me away like garbage. You had a million ways to check her story, a million ways to pay back whatever debt you thought you owed her. But no–you picked the one that would destroy me. “I
“You chose her over me.”
“Remember that mangy dog I rescued when we were kids? The second it started snapping at me and kissing ass with strangers, I blew its fucking head off. You should be on your knees thanking God I didn’t do the same to you.”
Fabiano stared at me like I’d just ripped his heart out with my bare hands. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, warm fabric settled over my shoulders.]
Massimo had materialized from the shadows, draping his jacket around me.
He didn’t give a damn about the cold, standing there shirtless with pristine white bandages wrapped around his torso. He dropped down beside me with casual ownership and fixed Fabiano with a predatory stare:[]
“Brother–in–law, showing up at my girl’s place this late…“]
“That’s pretty fucking inappropriate, don’t you think?”
