Page 54 of Laced With Secrets

Something wistful crossed his expression. “But his heart belonged to Richard Fairfax. I understood this. Respected it, even when it hurt. L’amore non si comanda.”

“You cared about him,” I said quietly.

“I did.” Vicente’s voice carried old pain, carefully hidden but never quite healed. “Thomas had integrity. In my world, this is rare. Precious. I offered him protection—a new name, a new life, resources to raise his child safely. He refused. Said he couldn’t live with himself if he stayed silent while people were hurt by the corruption. I told him it was too big, but I would not stand in his way.”

“You didn’t try to stop him?” I asked. “I mean, you said you, ah… had interests… in the project.”

I stumbled over my words, searching for the least offensive.

Vicente’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “I was careful, see? It would not have ended my operations.”

“But it would’ve been detrimental for others?”

“Many others,” he nodded. His accent thickened as memories darkened his eyes. “I warned him—told him those involved would harm him if he revealed his secrets.”

“You mean the pregnancy too?” I asked.

Vicente gestured to my stomach. “You understand now, the vulnerability of carrying life. Thomas was omega, unmarried, pregnant with a child whose father…” He paused delicately. “Well, even in 1973, this meant scandal, disgrace, destroyed futures. Depending on who the pater was, many people had reasons to want Thomas silenced.”

“But you didn’t,” I pressed.

“No. I was not the pater. I did offer him protection.” His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. “But Thomas chose honestyover safety. And someone—” He spread his hands. “—someone chose to silence him permanently.”

“Who?” Penny asked, speaking for the first time since we’d sat down.

Vicente regarded us both thoughtfully. “I have suspicions. Nothing I could prove, even if I were a man who went to courts.” His smile was dry. “But I suggest you look at who had the most to lose from scandal. Who would have been destroyed by Thomas’s revelations.”

“Richard’s family,” I said.

“Henry Fairfax was spietato, ruthless in protecting the family name and fortune.” Vicente paused.

“And Richard himself?” I asked.

Vicente’s expression held pity and contempt in equal measure. “Richard was weak. If he loved Thomas, it was not enough to fight for him. Not enough to stand against his father.”

Bitterness edged his voice. “If Richard was the pater, then he chose the safe path. The acceptable path. And Thomas died because of it. Whether Richard’s hands held the blade or not, his weakness killed Thomas just as surely.”

“Doyouthink Richard was the baby’s father?” I asked quietly.

“I suspect, but I do not know.” Vicente’s shrug was elegant, continental. “Thomas never said, and I never asked. It was his secret to keep. But the timing…” He trailed off meaningfully.

My phone buzzed. A text from Dominic:

Where are you?

Oh dear. We were were supposed to meet him twenty minutes ago.

Guilt hit immediately. We’d gotten so caught up in conversation that I’d completely lost track of time.

Vicente noticed my expression. “Your alpha grows anxious,sì? Your bambino’s pater is Dominic Steele, yes?”

“You know Dominic?”

“I know of him.” The warmth in Vicente’s voice cooled noticeably. His smile stayed in place, but his eyes hardened.

“He and Blake Harrington, they interfered with some business interests of mine. Cost me considerably.” Vicente’s tone remained pleasant, but the edge was unmistakable. “Very clever, very ruthless and smart. I respect this, even as I resent it.”

His gaze locked with mine. “Your Dominic is formidable. I imagine he would be very anxious about you being here, speaking with a man he has made into an enemy.”