Page 109 of Forbidden Deception

“Told you.” He lifts a shoulder. “No need to thank me.”

He lifts my hand and twirls me. Once. Twice. The third time, he lets go of me. My eyes widen, and I land against someone’s chest.

“I’m sorry. Vance is stupid—”

The man instantly steps back.

I look up to find angry eyes on me. Mocha eyes twisted with hurt. Vance threw me right in Rafael’s arms. His expression falters, then he’s walking away.

I lift a hand to call him, but he’s already climbing the stairs. Then he’s gone.

And I fall back.

It seems he only came to fulfil his duties.

44

Two weeks pass and I still can’t muster the courage.

I feel him slip through my fingers, day after day.

45

“Rafael has asked to see me,” Remo says from the threshold of the kitchen.

My head snaps up. Lavinia giggles in my lap, but my ears start to ring.

“What did you say?”

“He’s in London and asked for an emergency meeting in an hour. He’s waiting in my assistant’s office.” Remo starts to head towards the door.

I quickly place Lavinia in Aurora’s lap and run after him.

I grab hold of his arm.

I’m barely able to breathe or comprehend what Remo is saying, and yet my mind knows the name far too well to ignore. This could go so many ways, and knowing Remo and Rafael’s history, knowing their rivalry, I can’t think of a good outcome for this meeting.

Especially after not seeing him for close to a month.

Reason leaves, and I utter a question I should have long lost the right to ask.

“Why?”

“I’m not sure. Keep your phone with you. The CCTV footage with volume will be streamed for you.” He nods behind me and then leaves, leaving me stunned.

I run towards my phone and grab it, waiting for an email or anything. He didn’t explain how I would get the footage.

“Calm down. Everything will be okay. You know your brother is on your side, Venezia.” Aurora places a comforting hand on my shoulder.

“What if Rafael demands something from him? Or Remo loses his shit? Anything could happen.” I stress out, walking back and forth in front of her in the living room.

Minutes pass and nothing comes up. I start to bite my nails, pacing restlessly around the living room. I look at the clock, then restart my pacing.

Lavinia giggles from where she plays on the floor with her colourful blocks, and even her cute, angelic sounds aren’t enough to help me.

Twenty minutes pass, and my phone finally pings. I rush towards it on the sofa. I open it and find a link to the live footage. Aurora walks over to me and sits with me.

She looks over at Lavinia with a smile, and my niece smiles back, waving at her and blowing kisses. Lavinia giggles, and Aurora visibly melts.

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