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He’s one of the few I’d ever take a hug from.
In my heart he’s my father.
The one I needed.
The one I always longed for….
I pressed a hand to my chest and swiped my sore eyes with the other. There was no way he left those papers. He didn’t have a cruel bone in his body.He’d never help Judge Colby, especially if he knew he hurt Mama, Jacob, and me. Yet, someone took those photos of them together. And in them, Luca didn’t lookdisgusted watching my father take those drugs.His expression was…indifferent.
I couldn’t deny it. Judge Colby and Luca knew each other. My pulse raced in panic and dread. Memories clouded my vision, transporting me back to those final days in the hotel with Judge Colby….
His dirt-embedded nails dig into my arm, pulling me closer.
“Don’t move, Adelina.”
I recoil from the smell of his putrid sweat….
My hands quickly clamped over my mouth as I fought back the bile rising in my throat.No, no, no…I frantically pinched my wrist.Focus on the present.I’m not there. Pushing back the covers,Isat up and took deep breaths to regain control of my thoughts.The papers are inconceivable. Someone’s trying to tarnish Luca’s good name.Yet, my conscience brought a nagging thought to the surface. We had dinner at his home here in Florence. Why did Luca ask me for forgiveness? I reached for my phone to call him and closed my eyes, my heart heavy.
Luca Marini couldn’t give me answers anymore. He was gone.
So, why can’t I let it go?Because Luca had arranged for me to marry his grandson, Rocco. I’d be marrying into a family that helped destroy my own. Did Rocco know anything about it?
Rocco.A pang went through my heart at the thought of Rocco lying to me. Over the past few weeks, we had grown into what I thought were close friends and new lovers. I tried hard not to feel more, but deep down inside, it was there—that feeling for him. He’d been charming and affectionate. Maybe all that attention, all that care, was just a way to ease his own guilt. And I’d fallen for it. Because deep down, just as Mr. Marini had somehow known all those years ago on the beach… I wanted to matter. I wanted to be special.
I shoved the thoughts away and forced myself to focus. Even with everything I knew…had anything changed? The answer was a resounding no.
My family still needed the money, and I would have to marry. What I needed was to find out more, but even then—what would I do if it was all true?
Buzz.My phone vibrated. I checked the time on the screensaver.12:17 a.m.?Mr. Belfiore? Shock quickly switched to annoyance, and my tone went curt. “Hello.”
“Hello, Adelina. I’m sorry to call at this time. Did I wake you?”
“Yes, you did,” I lied, my tone rough. Mr. Belfiore had been rude and downright dismissive when I called him about my father being out of jail.
“I apologize, but I wouldn’t have called if it wasn’t important.”
I huffed down the line but didn’t answer.
“We heard about Mr. Marini’s passing…Have the Marinis made plans?”
“We’re flying back to New York tomorrow morning.”
“That’s good. I’ll pick you up at the airport.”
I grimaced. “What?”
“You’re coming back to Westchester to stay with us.”
“Why? I’m sure I can stay with Rocco—”
“No, you can’t. The Marinis postponed the wedding. It wouldn’t be proper for you to stay with him unmarried. We’ll discuss it further when you’re here. Understood?”
I clenched my jaw, and the line fell silent. He was waiting—waiting for me to fall in line like I always had. For the last eight years, I did whatever he or my grandmother asked. His word was enough before, because I firmly believed he was honest. Not anymore.
“From your silence, I assume you’re still upset about your father.”
I pressed my lips together.