Page 2 of The Billionaire's Pact

I straightened up and squared my shoulders. This man might think he can intimidate me, but I’ve lived with evil. It was my life for the last fourteen years, man. “I’ll survive, sir.”

If I had no other choice, I could survive.

I wanted to believe it, even though, deep down, I didn’t think it was possible. But sharing my fears was as meaningless as coming here. I wasn’t a part of their life.

His lips parted, and he looked over at his wife, and they seemed to talk to each other without speaking. Finally, Mrs. Belfiore said, “We need to speak with Lorelei privately.”

Mama stumbled to her feet and took a hold of my arm. “Thank you, Mother and Father.”

The housekeeper stepped forward and Mama said to me, “Follow Patricia. I’ll come get you in a minute.” But her voice wasn’t solid or sure. After all, she’d been dead to them for sixteen years. Pain coursed through me, more so for the emptiness in my life ahead. She needed to come back here. To her home. Even if it can never be my home.

“Okay. See you soon,” I said with a lift to my voice, grinning before following the housekeeper to a glass-enclosed patio in the back with a fireplace and a view of the reservoir. The night had grown fuller, darker, with heavy clouds. We were sure it would snow soon—there’d been a scent in the wind. The road to reach the highway was miles away; it would take me all night to get to it. I waited until I was sure she was gone, then slid the patio door closed behind me. I put my hat back on and stuffed my hands into my pockets. I knew our lives were, once again, about to change significantly. And that I may not see my mama for a long time after tonight. If ever.

My thoughts went in circles about Judge Colby, Mama’s banishment from her home, my grandparents, and especially Grandmother’s words. “We have housekeepers. We don’t know her or need her.” Even though I’m blood, I can still be discarded. Lesson learned. And yet, a part of me wanted their acceptance. Their validation.

I didn’t venture far, but I did meet a stranger on the beach who was kind to me. His name was Luca Marini, and he said he saw a strength in me that would grow into resilience and a hopeful future. I thought he was a sweet, old man who I’d never see again. I liked that moment of joy, though, of feeling momentarily hopeful, but it didn’t quite fix my distrust of men, but maybe I could become even stronger through all the rejection in my life.

“Resilience will be your superpower, Adelina,” Mr. Marini said, and I liked the sound of that.

Then Mama came short of the bench I’d been on and called over, “Adelina. Come. Now.” Her tone was sharp, but her arms were open.

I hurried over, and she pulled me to walk next to her back inside. We followed the housekeeper up a two-tiered staircase to a massive bedroom with a canopy bed. Excitement bubbled inside me as I gazed at the polished oak desk, matching vanities, and bookcases. There were hundreds of books and a fireplace with seats to sit on.

I twirled in a circle. “Wow, Mama, this place is so beautiful.”

“Yeah, it’s about as real as a doll house,” she murmured, touching her mouth.

My brows lowered. “What do you mean?”

“Nothing. I’m just tired.” She trembled, touching the red marks on her neck.

I went over and hugged her again. We had gone from a pay-by-the-hour motel to a mansion. What came next?

My mind filled with thoughts, and even though we were given a soft bed, I knew it wasn’t good.

Mama was gone when I woke up. She’d left a message on top of my book.

Alarm bells went off and my stomach lurched, even though it was empty. I quickly changed, and had only reached the bottom of the staircase when I was escorted to the door by the housekeeper.

“Where’s Mama?”

She dipped her head and said, “Follow me.”

I stumbled after her outside to a limousine parked out front. The driver opened the door, and Mr. Belfiore was already seated.

“Get in, Adelina,” he said in a stern voice, pulling out my seatbelt.

I didn’t take it and folded my arms. “Is Mama coming?”

“She flew to Italy to be with my mother. We all thought it best not to do goodbyes. Whether you see her again will depend on you.” A finality in his tone made the hairs on the back of my neck raise.

I clenched my jaw. Mama’s so fragile. “I need to know you won’t put her on the streets.”

He snorted. “Let me clear up some lies you obviously have been told. Lorelei’s decisions put her there. She disgraced our family by marrying your father, and refusing to marry the man she was promised to. We lost a fortune because of that and have no heir. She threw her life away, not us. But she’s safe.”

I never understood why Mama never left Judge Colby, yet he was in massive debt with his addiction and gambling. And he blamed me and Mama for it every chance he got.

Mr. Belfiore pressed a button, and I finally buckled into the seat. A few moments later, the limo moved from the driveway to the main road.

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