Page 85 of Ruthless Lord

“I’m not so sure about that.”

His eyebrows raise. “No? You two fight? Is that why he slept in his office last night?”

“Something like that.”

“Ah, don’t worry. New couples go through rough patches. He’ll see you looking like this and—” His eyes linger on my throat. He must be able to see the bruises barely hidden by makeup. “Well, he’ll forgive you, I’m sure.”

I want to cry again. Giorgio shouldn’t be kind to me. I stole his keycard and probably got him in trouble. And now he’s trying to makemefeel better when I should be the one apologizing.

“Listen, about the keycard—” I pause with him inside the depot down the hall from Stefano’s closed office door. “You didn’t lose it.”

“I know that,” he says gently.

“You do?”

“Put two and two together. Who else had access to my stuff that day? Just me and you.”

“You’re not mad?”

“I figured you had your reasons. And now you’re here to make them right, aren’t you?”

“I’m going to try.” Tears hit me again. “Shit, I’m a mess.”

“Not at all. You’re a sight, that’s what you are.” He pats me lightly on the arm. “Go on, get yourself together and go face him. Stefano’s a hard man, but he’s fair and honest. Tell him the truth. He’ll respect you for it.”

“Thank you.” I dab at my face with a tissue. “And I’m sorry.”

“Apology accepted.” He grins crookedly and salutes. “Luck to you, Mrs. Bianchi.” Then he stalks off and leaves me alone.

Nerves tingle down my spine. I face Stefano’s door and consider running away. Maybe I can give him more time to settle down.

But Emily’s right. If I let him stew, it’ll only get worse. He’ll conjure the most terrible explanations in his head. I need to face this straight on.

Maybe he really will respect it.

Or maybe he won’t, but at least I’ll be able to look myself in the mirror.

I knock lightly. When I hear his light grunt, which I assume is Stefano-speak forenter, I turn the knob and step inside.

He’s sitting at his desk. His eyes are red-rimmed and his clothes are rumpled. He looks exhausted. When he stares up at me, his expression doesn’t change. He remains hard and impassive like there are a thousand miles between us.

I close the door and face him.

“My grandfather said he’d grant me a divorce and let me become the family’s heir again if I spied on you.”

Stefano sits back, surprise softening his eyes. “Did he?”

“Before I even knew you. That was the deal. He wants to know everything about your family’s shipping network. I have a feeling he wants to take it over, or at least he wants to start his own competing routes.”

“Did he now…” Stefano tilts his head thoughtfully.

“I didn’t do it.” I take a deep breath, willing myself to stay calm.Don’t start crying.I won’t manipulate him into pitying me, although I’m not sure some tears would move a man like him. “I wanted to. But I hated myself. And I like you, Stefano. I started to like our life together, and I thought… maybe… I could find out what it’s like to be your wife.”

He stares at me. His lips press together. God, he’s handsome. Even when he hates me, he’s still attractive. His eyes move down to my body, over my dress, along my curves.

“You look good.”

“Thank Emily for that.”