Page 124 of When She Tempts (The Fallen)
I drive to De Rossi’s hideout in San Cesario like a madman, turning over my plans for Polo and Sal inside my head.
There’s no time to play around anymore, which means the relationship between Mari and I has to come to an end. De Rossi can’t suspect there was ever anything between us, because if he can’t trust me with his sister, how the fuck is he ever going to trust me with a secret that could undermine his position as the new don? The fiasco with Polo is enough to put me on shaky ground as is, but I hope it’s not enough for him to refuse to honor the favor he promised to me.
“Fuck.” I blow out a breath and run my hand through my hair. Mari just survived an attack, and I’m about to push her away.
It’ll devastate her.
But I’ll be doing this for her too. She has to understand. She’s a smart girl. Her and I were never meant to work outside the castello, because out here in the real world, I’m the last man her brother would pair her with.
No, I have nothing to offer her but vengeance.
The villa comes into view, its perimeter flanked by a tight ring of guards. I texted Ras a few minutes earlier to let him know I was almost there, and now De Rossi’s right-hand man stands by the open gate, waving me forward.
I pull into the driveway, shut off the ignition, and climb out.
Ras walks over, and when he gets close enough, I throw the bag of jewelry at him. He catches it, weighs it in his hand, and smirks. “You come bearing gifts.”
“Where is she?”
“Inside.” He slaps me on the back. “You know, based on your reputation, I expected something better than this.”
“Martina is alive, isn’t she? I kept my end of the bargain.”
He laughs. “Yeah, yeah. Well, I’m not sure if Damiano will see it that way, but you’re welcome to make your case.”
I clench my jaw. “How is she?”
Ras’s smile melts, and his gaze turns contemplative. “She’s shaken up, but she’s fine. She got upset when Dem said you fucked up. You should have seen it. She shut him down real quick. Said she’d have never gotten away without you.”
I don’t like the knowing hint in his voice, so I shove past him and make my way inside the house.
As soon as I hear her, relief ripples through me. I halt in the foyer, just out of sight, and press my palm against the wall.
The desire to walk into the next room and take her into my arms is so strong it’s nearly breaks me. I squeeze my eyes shut and just listen to her. She’s talking about Sophia, telling De Rossi’s wife about how the dog tackled her to the ground the first time they met. When she giggles, my chest constricts with longing. I want to record that sound and play it on repeat.
Get it together. You know what you have to do.
One breath in. One breath out.
Again and again.
When the reins of control are back in my hands, I run my palm over my mouth and step inside the room.
Martina doesn’t see me right away. She’s sitting beside Valentina on the sofa, De Rossi’s standing near them, and they’re absorbed in their conversation. He says something to her that makes her laugh.
I drink in her smile. I wonder if she’ll ever smile at me like that again.
My expression fixed on neutral, I clear my throat.
Three pairs of eyes jump to me, but my gaze stays on her.
“Giorgio,” she breathes.
My feet are glued to the ground. I should be happy she’s not running to me. I don’t know how I’d keep the emotion out of my face if she did. All I can think about is how fucking good it would feel to hold her again. To feel her soft, warm body molding to mine.
How long can I stay silent to prolong this moment?
The moment before I break her heart?
