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"It's the only thing he'll believe," Marco says. "He knows that I've been gone, that I've been... engaging in the other affairs with my family. Elio and Liam have a new trade alliance, one they're cementing with his marriage to Stassi--"
"Stasi?"
He nods. "She prefers that. Anastasia is a mouthful."
The fact that Marco knows the nickname of a world-renowned model, and the way my stomach tightens around knowing it, is unsettling.
Mostly unsettling that I definitely, definitely seem to care.
"Okay. So how are we going to explain the fact that we're... together?" I say.
Marco gives me a look. "We're going to tell the truth."
"And what, exactly, is that?"
My voice is little more than a whisper.
I'm desperate to know his answer, both because I need to know it to convince Liam we're dating, and because...
I think I just need to know.
The urge to hear from him what we are, what we're doing, is almost burning at me.
Does he remember everything the same way I do?
Did it matter to him, like it mattered to me?
Marco looks at me. "You took me into custody, in the witness protection program. During that time we... connected,” he says.
No. He doesn't say it.
He spits it out like he's ripping out a tooth.
"I needed to do some things to handle my family. I came back, and you told me you want to be with me and can't be an Interpol agent anymore."
I nod. "The agency is suppressing the framing. They quickly took the news article down and worked with the press," I add. Seamus let me know that right before we left.
Marco makes a hum, and my body prickles at the low, throaty noise.
"Now we're together and you want to introduce Liam and celebrate his wedding. You're coming back to the family," he says.
There's another note there, something bitter, as he says the word 'family'.
I want to ask so many things.
"Is it true?" I ask.
That's the question that I want to know the most.
Marco raises an eyebrow. "Surely you know we're not-"
"No," I interrupt. "That when we... when you and I were in the cottage. Did you develop feelings for me?"
Marco studies me for a minute longer.
"The best lies begin as truth, Roisin. Surely you know that, given your skill with the subject," he snaps.
I flinch.