Page 152 of Sins of the Orchid

“Actually, don’t answer that,” I cut him off. “It no longer matters because I no longer want you.”

“Liar.”

I glared at him, hurt swelling in my chest. He could flip-flop from cold to hot and back again, dragging my heart through mud and leaving it to bleed. For him.

I squared my shoulders and jerked my hand out of his arm. “It was sex, Santi.”

Another car approached and I recognized it as Lorenzo’s. Right on time. Without another word, I rushed towards it. I couldn’t wait to get out of here. Even his slight touch on my wrist burned through me and straight to my core. This lust for him would be the death of me. My heart I could hide, but not my body’s reaction.

Once I got into Lorenzo’s car, I slammed the door a bit too forcefully. My brother’s eyes observed me, and my insides shook with agitation. The irritation danced over my skin, the itch to snap and relieve the frustration heavy.

Lorenzo’s soft chuckle snapped me out of my fuming. “Lover’s quarrel?” he teased.

My heart skidded to a halt and my breath stuck in my throat. “W-what?”

“You and Santi,” he added, like we were talking about flavors of coffee. “You’ve had it in for him for a while.”

“I-I…” I should deny it, but the words got stuck in my throat. The truth of the matter was that I had loved Santi for a very long time. It was hard to remember when I didn’t love him. Innocent crush turning into an all-consuming love. Unfortunately, it was one-sided. For Santi, I was just another girl. Not even his type. He preferred blondes.

“You love him,” Lorenzo finished for me. “If you try that ‘it’s that time of the month’ bullshit with me, , I will pull over and give you an earful of ranting.”

I sighed. There was no use denying it.

“I don’t know how not to love him, Lorenzo,” I whispered my admission, desperation lacing my voice.

“That’s heavy,” he replied, his eyes fleeting my way, observing me pensively. “I’ll be the first to admit it, Amore. It surprised me when I first picked up on it. You and Santi just don’t seem to have much in common.”

“I know,” I said. “But with him… I feel safe. Alive. Happy.” I pressed my palm to my forehead. “I can’t explain it. I thought it was just a crush. Except that the older I got, I felt more for him. The world just seems better with him.”

He nodded in understanding. “I never realized you were such a romantic, sister.”

“Me either,” I retorted dryly. “I wish I could just turn it off.”

“But then you wouldn’t be you.” Lorenzo had a way of making me feel better. Every time.

“Please don’t tell anyone,” I pleaded.

“Of course not,” he promised. “I would never break your trust.”

I reached over and placed my hand over his on the wheel. “Thank you!”

“The question is what to do about it,” he muttered pensively. I pulled back my hand and placed them both on my lap.

“This whole mess with this stupid marriage arrangement…” I trailed off. Though I wasn’t convinced that Santi would have kept me.

“To the wrong brother,” he added.

Oh, was it ever the wrong brother!

“Either way, Lorenzo,” I muttered. “I won’t be marrying Adriano. I just have to figure out a way to stop this madness without causing war between the two families.”

“Don’t stress, Amore,” he deadpanned. “If all else fails, I’ll kidnap you. You won’t be marrying Adriano.”

My brows scrunched at the odd comment. He was never the one for drama.

CHAPTER56

Santino