Page 55 of Sins and Secrets

“It all sounds good. It’s going to need to go in the oven soon. We have to be on a private jet headed to Miami in two hours.”

She looks at me over her shoulder, her eyes wide. “Why are we going to Miami?”

“I don’t want to leave you alone to deal with the fallout of what I did, but I have business in Miami tonight. And likely for the next few days. Which means that you need to pack and get ready for at least a week there. I don’t know if it will be that long, but I doubt it will be any shorter. There is much that I need to discuss with some allies regarding how we will deal with Paolo.”

I walk over to the sink and wash my hands before helping her finish topping the pizzas. She says nothing, her mouth set in a thin line. I want to ask her what’s going through her head, but I know sooner or later she won’t be able to resist telling me off. I can tell by the twitch in the corner of her eye that she’s not happy about being ordered around.

“I have work to do,’” she says, her tone stiff. “And I have to check in on Papa. I was at the hospital today and he isn’t doing much better yet. What if they need me there?”

“Then I will put you on a plane right away, but this is not up for debate. You will be coming with me whether you like it or not.”

“And what if I don’t like it?” She glares at me as I load the pizzas onto trays to take them outside. “You don’t need me there to do business.”

“I’m going to make this very clear. I put up with your arguing because I think it’s entertaining. It’s been a long time since anyone other than your father tried to argue with me. However, I’m not going to budge on this. You can either get your ass upstairs while I cook these and pack a bag or you can go to Miami, kicking, screaming, and naked. I really don’t give a shit but I’m giving you a choice.”

“How kind of you,” she says, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Maybe I will go naked, just to prove a point.”

“And what would that point be?” I ask, trying to stuff down the waves of jealousy that roll through me at even the thought of other men seeing her naked.

She’s mine.

There is no way in hell that I’m going to allow anyone else to see her naked. If I’m being honest, I don’t want anyone to see her the way she already dresses. It would be better for the jealous streak I have if she wore the largest quilt I could find.

“The point that you may control me for now, but you won’t control me forever.”

“Are we really going to start a fight over this right now?”

She stares at me, her eyes narrowing. Her shoulders relax and she shakes her head. “There really is no point in arguing, is there? It’s not like I have a choice.”

“You made your choice when you entered that auction. The fact that you regret it now is quite frankly not my problem. Go upstairs and get ready. We’ll eat dinner and then we’ll go.”

Billie gives a sharp nod before spinning on her heel and walking up the stairs. I sigh, feeling like somehow I’ve lost the battle even though she’s doing what I want.

As much as I want us to be friendly with each other — for the duration of the contract — it’s a bad idea.

Paolo is a dangerous man, and he is looking for her. He knows who she is and sooner or later, he will figure out what she means to me. He’ll kill her first and then he’ll come for my famiglia.

We’re both in danger until I kill him.

19

BILLIE

Nearly two hours later, the plane lands and I take off my headphones. While I may have gotten on the flight with my bags packed, I’m still not happy about being in Miami. I was hoping that Alessio would leave me behind and I could work on plotting my escape route.

Although, the more I think about escaping now, the more guilt starts to creep in. I try to tell myself that it’s only because sleeping with Alessio has my mind messed up.

That has to be all it is.

Leaving is still the best option for me and Papa. I have to keep that in mind, even when Alessio is giving me that smile that sends my clothes flying to the floor.

“I’ve booked a beach house for us. My friend Jovan has been getting it set up.” Alessio leads the way off the jet and to a waiting car. “Do you want to drive?”

I look at the sleek little black sports car, wondering if I would ever get a chance to drive something like that again. I know he is just offering the keys to me as a way to try and make me less pissed off with him.

“Come on,” he says as he opens the driver's door while someone loads our bags into the trunk. “The keys are already in the ignition. I’ll even let you pick the playlist.”

There isn’t going to be another chance like this one. Once I’m gone, I’ll be driving shitty cars for a while so I can funnel most of my money into building my resort business.

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