Chapter 28- Hard Truths.
Luca Delete. Delete. Delete.
My finger jabbed at my phone screen with increasing frustration as Mark’s messages kept appearing, Each one more urgent than the last, each one chipping may as my already fraying nerves.
Mark: We need to talk. It’s important.
Delor
Mark: Please, Lucia. This isn’t about us anymore.
Delete.
Mark: You’re in danger. He’s in danger
Delete.
Mark: Things are happening that you don’t understand.
Delete
Mark Your fake husband is going to die in the next few days if you don’t listen to me.
My finger paused over that one, hovering between lubit and horror. The words glowed accusingly on my screen, impossible to ignore.
“Fuck” I pressed my forehead against the cool glass of my office window, warching rain trace jurterns on the cay below, Last night’s action drama was still a fresh wound–ten million dollars for a photograph Dante probably intended to bum. His possessive gesture both infuriated and thrilled me, which only made me more angry
And now this
My phone buzzed again. Ichidn’t need to look to kone who I win
“Fine.” I muttered, typing quickly before could change my mind. One hour. The old cate un Grove Street. Come alone or don’t come at all.” Ha response was immediate Oning way
Hermes scarf. Let him see exactly
I grabbed my com – Burberry reach the probably cost more than Mark’s monthly gallery re–and my favorite H how much rd changed how the Tame from the girl selu used to drank cheap coffee and dream about ari.
“Going somewhere, Miss Valentini Taylor appeared as I reached the elevator, materializing from whatever shadow Dante paid him to lurk in “Yes.” Linet his careful gur steally. “Mone.
Mr. Roman was very clear about
“Mr. Romies,” I cut in sliply does not actually own me, despite what my engagement ring might suggest. I’m going mit Alone. You can either help me avoid the paparazzior I can call them myself and create a much bieber scene. Your choice.
He studied me for a long moment before neckling slightly. The service entrance would be more discreet”
“Thank you.” I let him guide me through the back corridors of Duke’s tower, remembering why I’d always liked Taylor, He understood the difference between protection and imprisonment
The cafe looked exactly as I remembered–exposed brick walls, mismatched vintage furniture, the perpetual son of coffee and creativity in the It had been our phte ore, back when I thought love could conquer family obligation and social realities.
Mark already at our old table by the window, his hands wrapped around a scramic mug like he was trying in absorb is warmth, He’d dressed
refully for this meeting designer jeans that probably cost a month’s rem, cashmere sweater in that shade of blue he knew brought this eyes The struggling artist was gone, replaced by someone who looked like he belonged in the world of gallery openings and magazine spreads. “You ramme.” He stood as approached something like hope flickering in his expression
“Sit down.” I didn’t bother hiding my irritation as ook the chair across from him. “And spare me the romantic reunion scene you’re probably composing in your head. What’s this about Dante being in danger?”
Die flinched slightly at my tone. You’ve changed”
“Yes.” I signaled the waitress for an espresso. That tends to happen in three years. People group, move on, become different versions of themelves. Well, most people do.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“means,” I fixed him with a steel gaze I’d learned from Dante, “that some people seen stuck in the pan, playing victim to choices they made themselves.”
“Choires” He laughed bitterly, “You mean when your family forced us apart When they dermened to
“Stop” I held up a band. “Just stop. My family never threatened you. They disapproved, yes. They made their expectations clear. But you’re the one who couldn’t handle it. You’re the one who backed away when you realized what my world really was”
Your world?” His voice ruse slightly. “You mean the world of violence and corruption? Of business ancerings that end in broken kneecaps? Of
“Yes” I leaned forward, dropping my voice dangerously. “That world. The one you claimed to accept until it became 100 real. The one you now
Chapter 21- Hard Thalu
seem desperate in expose through your little meda crude.”
“Tim trying to save you!”
“Save me?” I couldn’t help the sharp lough that escaped. “From what exactly? From the man I chose? From the life I’ve built From finally accepting who and what I am!”
*From becoming one of them!” His hands clenched on the table. This isn’t you, Laica. The designer clothes, the political games, the calculated public appearances –
“This is exactly me,” I cut him off again, fury rising hot and t. “This has always been me. You just saw what you wanted to see–the artistic muse, the rebel princess, the girl you could save from her Gnuly’s darkness ”
That’s not
“It’s exactly inte.” I pressed on, three years of bouded anger finally finding release. “You didn’t love me, Mark You loved the idea of me. The story you could tell about the maths priners who chose love over diny. In the moment that story goc complicated, the moment you saw the reality behind the romance, you ran
“I never stopped loving you. His wor cracked slightly
“No, you never stopped loving your version of me. The one who exists in your photographs and your memories Esoftened my voice slightly. “But that girl was a finissy, Mark She never really existed.”
He stared at me like he was seeing me for the first time. Maybe he was.
“Sommar is trying to kill him,” he said finally, changing tactics. “Your perfect fiance. Your chosen darkness.”
“I don’t know names.” He reached for his plot, bus I grabbed his writ
“No more evidence, no more USB drives full of secrets. Just tell me what you know.”
He hesitated, studying my face. “Why do you care? If this is just a business arrangement, jag a political marriage. You actually love him,”
“This isn’t about love.” But even heard the lie in my voice. This is abour honor Loyalty Things you never understand.
“I understood loyalty He pushed back from the table, anger replacing him. “I was loyal in pau, in us. Co-
“No.” I stood too, my voice carrying the edge of authorky Edinherited from both families. “You were loyal to your idea of us. To the pretty picture you wanted to paint. The moment reality intaked, the momem you saw what loving me really meant, you hesitated. And in our world, hesitation is the same as betrayal.”
“So that’s it?” He ran a land through his perfectly styled hair. “I’m the villain in your story now? The coward who couldn’t handle your family’s busines
“There are un villain here, Mark” I gathered my esot and scarf, stackenly tired of this conversation. Just people making choices and living with the consequences. You chose to walk away three years ago. I chose to embrace who I am. And now you’re choosing to let yourself be used by Dante’s enemies because it fits your narrative of tragic potance:
Im not bring used-
“The USB drive?” i coed an eyebrow. The perfectly rimed media appearances The mysterious sources feeding you information? Wake up, Mark You’re a pawn in someone else’s game‘
He flinched like Tt slapped him. “You mally have become one of them
“No” I smiled, leming lum see the steel benes the soplustication. Tve become myself. Finally, completely myself. And that’s what really bathers you, isn’t it? Than à didn’t need you to find my truth.”
“Luch-
“They’re going to try within the week” I him off “That’s what you came to tell me,
He nodded slowly. “Yes. I don’t know exactly when or low, bi-
<, night! Thurs what we so urgent?”
Thank you.” I meant it. “For the warsing. But after this, we’re done. No more messages, no more merview, no more playing the heartienken anbit. Let me go, Mark. For both our sakra.”
“And if I don’t
I met his eyes steadily. Then you’ll learn exactly how much of a Romano I’ve become.”
The threat hung between us, heavy with implications neither of us could ignore. He saw a in my eyes the darkness he’d once feared, now fully
“Goodbye, Mark.” I umed away before he could respond, my heels clicking against the wooden floor with quiet fruity.
Ouside, rain fell in shirts, soaking through my designer armor. I didn’t care. The water felt cleansing somehow, washing away the last inces of the girl used to be
My phone buzzed. Dass this time.
Where are you?
Ismiled despite myself, imagining his carefully controlled me when Taylor told him I’d slip
