Page 89 of Pretty Plaything

“How did you even come up with that plan? How did you know it would work?” I ask.

“It was an elaborate plan, and a good one. It’s not something that you execute in one day. It’s been happening over years. We had to wait for Alessandro to become old enough so he could take over without a problem, and we planned to introduce him to everything a few years later, but he figured out the truth sooner than that, so Mauro had to alter his plan a bit. It’s working just perfectly so far, and we’re going to create something beautiful. You’ll see, honey. We’re going to rule this country.”

I see the gleam in his eyes, and I know he’s not going to let anything put the plan in danger.

Not even me.

“Let me show you the numbers,” my father says, pulling out his phone.

He shows me graphs, maps, and a whole lot more.

Everything perfectly planned.

“Do you understand now why it’s for the best that your husband doesn’t find out about this?” he asks.

“I do,” I say, trying to push my lips up into a fake smile. “You’re right. This is really big and important.”

“I’m glad you understand.” He squeezes my shoulder. “You’ll tell me when he signs, right? Mauro and I may be in this together, but he likes to keep some things to himself for too long, and we all have our secrets and plans. If you can, get me a copy of their contract.”

“Yes, of course.”

“Good girl.”

I smile.

I smile like I’ve never smiled before, and it’s with that damn smile that I manage to get out of the room.

My father will regret pushing me to smile all the time because it looks like I’ve gotten so good at faking it that even he’s fooled.

Chapter 45

MAURO HANDS ME THEcontract.

Entering a business deal with him seems like a great opportunity, but I don’t trust him. Maybe we’ve spent some time together, but he’s still a stranger to me.

Even if he’s my biological father, that doesn’t mean he’s not going to try to trick me. I have to be careful, as always.