Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 89232 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89232 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
I’m not going to say I told you so, but I did warn you not to do business with those people. You can’t let this happen.
So much makes sense now, but the truth doesn’t bring relief. It only brings more torment.
“Dad regretted it the moment it had been done,” Ryan says. “He went along with the conditions because no one else could deliver the service the Russos could.”
“The service? What service?” My lip curls around the accusation. “Killing people?”
Ryan winces. “Santino brought Angelo for the two of you to meet. The engagement was supposed to happen when you turned eighteen.”
The world starts spinning around me. I put the empty glass on the side table and grip the armrests to steady myself. The ring drops from my hand and falls with a clink on the floor.
“When Dad denied the promise he’d made, Angelo came back and stole the book.”
“To blackmail Dad into honoring his promise,” I say as the insight hits me.
“Yes.” Ryan regards me from under his lashes. “He didn’t only take the shares Dad promised him. He took over control of the business, leaving us with no power and no money, making sure we couldn’t start a war.”
“Is that why Dad ordered someone to kill them?” I ask. “To get back his business?”
Mom inhales sharply.
“Angelo sent marriage instructions on the day of your eighteenth birthday.” Ryan holds my gaze unfalteringly as he deals yet another blow. “His family was preparing a big wedding in Corsica for June. Dad wanted to stop it. He wanted to get them off our backs.”
But everything went wrong.
Celeste walks to the back of my chair and puts a hand on my shoulder. “If it makes you feel better, I didn’t know that he was paying for your house either. Ryan only told me recently.”
I shake off her touch. It doesn’t make me feel better. Nothing can. “The Russos wanted an arranged marriage for shares and money. They have all the money. They have the business. Why does he still want me to honor the deal?”
“I don’t know,” Ryan says. “I thought he gave up that goal when we agreed to stop the bloodshed between our families. The only reason I can think of is that the Edwards name is respected everywhere we do business. The Russo name not so much. It’s not a good name.”
My laugh is cold. “You don’t say. Not that we deserve any of that respect. We’re no better than the Russos. We just keep up the pretense.”
“Don’t say that,” Mom exclaims. “Do not compare me with those savages.”
“Come on, Mom.” My smile is flat. “You know what Dad was involved in. None of us can claim to be ignorant about who we are any longer.”
“Dad tried to spare you all from that part of his life.” Ryan glances at Celeste. “So did I.”
Another memory slips into my mind. I remember the day Angelo gave me the Ferrari for my eighteenth birthday. When Colin questioned the inappropriately expensive gift, Ryan silenced him. I had a feeling then that Ryan was hiding something.
My brother’s strange behavior now makes sense. That’s why he didn’t make a scene. Angelo was already paying my way as far back as then. Farther still. My brother knew Angelo was planning on marrying me. That’s why the gift didn’t shock Ryan. Giving your future wife a Ferrari when you’re a billionaire is hardly abnormal. That’s why Ryan smoothed it over and deflected Colin’s questions. He was keeping the truth from me while conspiring with Dad to stop the wedding from happening.
Yes, I kept a truth from him too, but damn it, the fact that I gave my v-card to Angelo didn’t impact Ryan’s life. The fact that Angelo supports me financially, me and my family, definitely impacts me.
“You should’ve told me.” I jump to my feet. “You had no right to hide this.”
Celeste puts a hand on my arm. “Bella, sweetie, I’m the first one to agree. Ryan was just trying to protect you.”
“Don’t make excuses for him.” I pull away, escaping the comfort she offers. I’m too angry to accept their support or apologies. Too devastated.
“Bella, please.” Mom stands, extending her palms. “We tried our best for this not to happen. You know how much your father loved you. He would’ve done anything to keep you from this fate.”
“Including murder,” I say, placing a hand on my brow as I pace to the sliding doors.
Fuck.
“Yes.” Mom’s tone turns hard. “Including murder. He did what he thought was best. We all want what’s best for you.”
I spin around to face her. “What are you saying?”
“We’re not going to let Angelo win. Let him cut off our allowance. Let him remove Ryan as CEO of the South African branch and take away everything your father built his entire life. We’ll find a way to survive. Ryan can work elsewhere. I can get a job.”