Page 110 of The Colour of Revenge

"Grazie."

“You sure you’ll be okay here?” he asks, hesitation etched into the furrow of his brows.

“I’m good,” I reassure him with a small smile. “I’ve got Nate.”

His expression softens, but there’s still a trace of doubt. “So, you’re forgiving him, then?”

“It’s not about me forgiving him,” I admit, a touch of regret in my tone. “He’s the one who had to forgive me. I jumped to conclusions I shouldn’t have.”

“I’m glad you’re happy,bella.” He gives me one last squeeze before letting go.

“You ever need a place to disappear…” his voice trails off, but the intent is clear. Enzo is... well-connected. His skill-set speaks for itself, and I found him for a reason. He's exactly the kind of man who knows how to get things done without leaving a trace.

“Bye Enzo.” I wave as he begins to turn towards the security gates. He’s probably got a private jet waiting; I doubt he flies with the rest of us commoners.

He glances over his shoulder.“Ti amo14, bella.”

And then he's gone.

Nate

"Mum?" I call out as I step into the house.

The Mayfair townhouse stands tall in its pristine perfection—a mix of historical Georgian charm and modern opulence. White columns frame the entrance, and ornate railings encircle the private garden square. It's the kind of place that demands respect.

The kind of place that hides secrets.

“Nate?” her cracked voice calls back. She never calls me Nate.

A bad sign.

I find her in the kitchen, immaculately put together—navy blue dress, crisp white blazer, not a single hair out of place. She looks… perfect. Controlled. But her hands tremble around the delicate porcelain teacup.

“Have you heard from your father?”

My stomach knots.

I keep my expression neutral as I answer. “No. Not for a few days.”

“He didn’t come home last night.”

I shrug, feigning nonchalance. “It’s not unlike him to go on trips, is it?” Now that I know the truth, his weekly retreats to his business cabin make more sense. I’ve never known where it was, but he always made it sound like he went there to focus on work. Now, I realise it was where he kept the girls he bought. And I know it was more than just Carina.

She shakes her head. “Sure… but he always tells me first.”

“He probably just forgot, mum.” I hate the way my gut twists as I lie to her. But I can’t tell her. Not about this. It would destroy her. Better for her to think he ran away than live with the knowledge of what her husband has been doing behind her back.

“You’re right. I’ll try not to worry.” She wraps me in her arms, and I squeeze her tightly back.

“So,” she says, shaking off her nerves. “How’s Carina?”

The mention of the little hellion has my heart racing for two reasons; one, I am so in love with the woman it’s criminal, and two, it’s another reminder of what happened just last night and the secret I’m now keeping.

My jaw tightens and my tone is clipped as I reply, “She’s good.”

“Everything good with you two?”

“Yeah. We’re good.”