Page 36 of The Don's Secret Heir

“Don’t I?” I say coolly, and he frowns.

“You used to be mine. I guess my brain just doesn’t compute that you’re not anymore.”

“I was never yours,” I say, even though it’s a lie. I was his the moment our eyes first met, but I’ve moved on.

He looks hurt, his brow furrowing, his mouth turning down at the corners.

I feel myself softening.

Don’t, Liana. Get it together.

“What about your date?” I ask, keeping my arms folded as I look up at him.

He smiles sheepishly, rubbing a hand across the back of his neck.

“Ditched her,” he admits. “Couldn’t think about anyone else. I don’t want to see anyone else.”

My heart starts to race.

“Why not?”

He shrugs, as if that statement isn’thugecoming from him. “Just not interested. Listen, I’m serious about helping you and Sonny. You’d be helping me too.”

“We can be married and not live together.”

He snorts. “Not with the IRS sniffing around. They’ve audited me three years running.”

I frown. Am I really considering this? Going back to his house? Uprooting Sonny all over again?

“Yeah, well, if we go back I’m driving.”

“Probably for the best,” he says, something like hope flashing across his features before he shutters his expression again.

“Wait here. I’ll get Sonny.”

I walk back outside and Beth glares at me.

“I know, I know,” I say with a sigh. “Just... let me handle this, okay? It’s going to be fine.”

“You know he’s going to hurt you again.”

“He can’t hurt me again. I’m over him.”

I am.

I’m over Dario Conte.

Aren’t I?

I scoop up Sonny and the duffel bag I brought, full of our clothes and toiletries.

Beth sighs and takes the bag from me.

I smile. “Thanks, Beth. I know you don’t agree with this but...”

“I’m always here for you, Liana. No matter what,” she says firmly. So firmly that I raise an eyebrow. I might have commented but she walks past me, putting the bag in Dario’s backseat.

Dario ruffles her hair. “Thanks for keeping them safe.”