Page 92 of The Don's Secret Heir

Rocco whistles. “I don’t envy you, boss. Not one bit.”

And I know, just like that, that I’m utterly fucked.

I’m still in love with her, just like he said. Crazy about her, in fact. I’d adopt Sonny as my own in a second.

And that’s pathetic, given how painful learning about his existence was. But he’s a good kid. A lot like her.

Strong. Beautiful.

I start to sober up and I don’t like it one bit.

“See if there’s any tequila in my bar.”

Rocco grins crookedly. “That’s what I’m talking about, boss.”

He heads happily over to the bar and I stare into space, thinking of her brake lights flashing as she drove away.

She’s not coming back.

25

LIANA

Beth arrives at the hotel and knocks on the door within the hour, and I startle, having been just staring into space.

I can’t help but hate myself for saying such harsh things to Dario. He hurt me, and maybe he killed my father, but I can’t stand the look I saw on his face before his expression shuttered again.

I start to sniffle before I can even get to the door and by the time I open it, I’m full-on sobbing.

Beth cradles me to her chest, humming a soft tune as she leads me over to the chair, sitting me down. She crouches in front of me.

“Hard night?”

I nod, sniffling. I don’t even ask any questions. Now that she’s here, it’s obvious to me that whatever is going on with her and Dario, she can’t be the aggressor. She’s so good to me, and she would never be disloyal to her family.

Despite how much she dislikes Dario, she’s always been loyal. To me and to her family.

“What did he do?”

There’s a dark tone in her voice and I frown, shake my head.

“It’s more... he suspects you of trying to kill him. Isn’t that crazy?”

Beth blinks, her expression blank until she barks out a laugh. “Me, kill Dario? That is crazy. I mean, I can’t say I haven’t fantasized about it once or twice.”

I laugh back, but it sounds almost hysterical. I hadn’t just fantasized about it. I nearly did it.

Beth is a little stiff when I hug her, but she relaxes after a few minutes.

“Anyway, I told him it’s over.”

She smiles. “Finally. You’re getting it annulled?”

“I guess so. That’s the way to do it, isn’t it?” I feel suddenly unsure.

Beth nods. “It’s the only way. You have to protect yourself. Protect Sonny.”

I nod. Sonny is getting too close to Dario, and I hated the way his face dropped when Dario frightened him. I’d made this decision out of survival, but now, I realize that making that decision might have harmed Sonny more than helped him.