Page 55 of The Billionaire's Pact

“You’re admitting Lorelei needs a chaperone and that doesn’t help your argument. Anyway I couldn’t come. Your grandmother can’t be in the same room with that man.”

“What man?”

“Luca Marini. I didn’t want to put her through that.” His tone was harsh.

I furrowed my brows. “Mr. Marini’s in Italy. He wasn’t there. What do you mean she can’t be in the room with him? I don’t understand.”

“It’s things that happened before you were born, and not something you should be concentrating on. I need you to accept it and let it go.”

I grimaced. “How can I?” You and grandmother are not.

He sighed down the line. “You can, Adelina. Your marriage is a business. I’ve been very honest with you. Lorelei needs rest and that’s what she’s getting. She’s all worked up and unable to calm down, and this time away will give her a chance to gain more perspective. I will speak with you again soon.” He was firm in his resolution and as her conservator, he had the right to intervene if she had problems. And apparently, Glenn supported it.

I took a deep breath, my heart heavy. “Make sure you tell her that I love her and not to worry. Everything is fine here. Okay?”

“I’ll definitely let her know,” he said. “Now, we’ll speak with you later. Try to enjoy your time in Italy.” We ended the call.

Mama hadn’t shared about my friendship with Mr. Marini and that had cost her. Most of the time she was a fly running into glass, expecting a different outcome from the many times it flew into it. But she had been right. I was easily impressed and captivated by Rocco and his world. Yet, he didn’t hesitate to use his power over my family.

My eyes watered, but I didn’t cry. Tears were a waste of time.

Rocco returned to the car. We didn’t speak for a few moments.

“Why did you call my grandfather?” I asked.

“Because I refuse to be disrespected in any way. I let your family have some leeway, and they took it for weakness. It won’t happen again.” His tone remained even, but he was candid and astute in his resolve. He was charming, but proud. I knew that already.

If I told him about Mama’s conservatorship would that change anything? No. Mr. Belfiore would be even more upset that I’d revealed his secrets. Rocco could also use whatever happened as us breaching our agreement with him. We could all lose everything we have. This was our lives, not a romance. Too much was at stake. We had to move forward.

Resilience will be your superpower, Adelina.

I nodded in his direction but didn’t say anything. There was no need for words. We were simply business partners, who might get to know each other sexually as well. I shouldn’t really begrudge that.

Rocco took out his phone, and I heard him tell the caller there was a change in plans in Italian. He was removing our visit to Pisa on our way to Florence.

“Why are we not going to Pisa?” I asked frowning.

He muffled the phone. “Because you’re hurt, and I want our memories to be happy.”

“I’ll be more upset if all I see of Pisa is from an airport, Mr. Marini,” I said, gesturing toward the window and sign. It was better this way; now I knew where we stood. He’s just like Grandfather. I’m just another piece in his business.

“Hmm,” he said, but didn’t say more. He stepped out of the car, and I held my breath, unsure of what to do, but then a few minutes later, he returned with a smile. “Let’s go get irritated by other tourists with cameras,” he mused.

“We can complain about it all night. Sounds perfect.” I couldn’t remove the graveling from my voice. Not being able to call Mama reduced the number of my very few confidants. With Cassidy so far away, and Nadia being Rocco’s friend, I felt more alone than ever.

He moved to reach for me, but stopped and placed his hands on the wheel. Sighing heavily, he drove off from the airport.

After only ten minutes, we were near the square. We could see the white marble leaning tower well before we parked. The summer had more tourists and crowds, as we’d suspected. My ears tuned into the multiple languages surrounding us—Italian, Japanese, Spanish, English. My head managing to translate their words delighted my senses, and I smiled.

“You have a lovely smile, Adelina,” Rocco told me. I turned my head away and walked closer to the tower.

“Climbing closed.” Of course, disappointment was universal, but that didn’t take away the excitement of being to view the marble tower of Pisa from outside. We moved around the people filming and taking selfies with friends.

“I bet every camera has that pose,” Rocco said, pointing towards the groups pretending to push the tower straight. I laughed out loud, and he placed his arm around my waist. It had come on so naturally—his affection. I didn’t move out of his hold, and instead languished in the warmth and strength of his arms. They allured me. I was smaller than him, and he practically engulfed me. My heart pumped faster and when the bare skin on his arms met mine, a tingling sensation coursed through me. I took a deep breath and inhaled his rich cologne. It was so masculine, so intoxicating. His chest expanded as if my presence relaxed him, too.

“Would you like a picture?” he asked softly. The longer I stayed in his arms, the better it felt, and I could hear my mind making excuses. Mama was rude at the party. Rocco had a right to be upset. He doesn’t know the way our family works. But then, I thought about Mama, alone in her life now. Why couldn’t he have left it alone? He didn’t just hurt her, he hurt me.

I stiffened and moved out of his grasp. “No, thanks. I’ll take some with my phone.” My hands went into my bag, and I pulled it out, snapping a few pictures of the tower.

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