Page 61 of His Two Hidden Masks

“You don’t need to worry about me anymore, Roberto. And if you don’t mind, I have work to do.”

I didn’t believe any of his concern. It was bullshit. There was an edge to his voice that was sharp. Now that I had some distance between us, I realized I had mistaken so many of his lectures for support.

“Move your foot,” I said. I lifted the pot and stepped over his legs. Passing the sink, I pulled out a trash bin and poured the rapidly cooling mixture into the garbage. With every passing second, the ruined caramel hardened.

“You should know that I ran into Dante Camarda this morning while getting coffee.”

My stomach tightened. I kept my back to him, eyes fixed on the window so I could see his reflection behind me.

“He said that Carnival has been madness at the station. Crazy events unfolding all over town.”

“Oh, really.” I willed myself to stay stone cold.

“Yes.” He wrinkled his nose. “Dante wanted to make sure we took care to lock the hotel and restaurant at night. Apparently, someone broke into the Lido Glass Factory last night. They didn’t take anything, but Dante said there is video surveillance of the whole thing.”

My mouth watered and my stomach clenched, threatening to vomit. Dante Camarda, the worst kisser of my life, was conspiring with my ex-fiancé. Venice felt so incredibly small to me sometimes.

I pivoted to look at Roberto, my face burning. The smug look on his face erased any hope I had that he wasn’t connecting me to the fiasco at the glass factory.

“Roberto, please,” I said, knowing my face was probably a bright shade of scarlet.

“Please, what?” he said. “I want to hear you say it. And ask me nicely.”

“No,” I said, my voice controlled. I was done getting down on my knees for any man unless I wanted it with every part of my body. Yes, I was embarrassed to hear my tryst with Dylan was exposed, but Roberto’s arrogance and demeaning tone pushed me to a place I’d never stood. “Fuck you, Roberto.”

His eyes bugged. He laughed, hands in his pocket telegraphing nonchalance. “All right then.” He exhaled. “What you do is no longer my business. Who you fuck or allow to fuck you, not my business, as well.”

“At least we are aligned on one thing,” I said.

“Bella,” he said, his tone softening, which put my radar on high alert. “You must know I care about you. I always have. But we are not together anymore.”

“You care so much, so why are you threatening me, Roberto?”

“I’m not. I’m just letting you know what I heard. If your father finds out you were with his business partner last night…”He shook his head as if trying to banish the thought. “…I don’t know what he will do.”

I froze. Roberto didn’t know it was Dylan. He thought that I’d been in the glass factory with James. I’m not sure it mattered. They were both a part of Street Entertainment.

“So, did you watch it?” I asked. The question tasted bitter in my mouth. If he still truly cared about me, perhaps I could convince him to help me contain this mess.

He stared at me, not answering. His silence was all I needed to hear.

“Get out,” I said. Now, I was a runaway bride with a sex tape. No amount of chocolate or alcohol in the world would fix this.

“All right then.” He inhaled, and I wondered if he regretted pushing me this far. “Your father made his choice, Bella. And now it’s time for him to see what happens next in this acquisition.

I am a part of this family now, whether or not you are with me. I expect you to start treating me with respect. Soon, everyone in this family will have no choice.”

What the fuck was he talking about and why did it sound like he was threatening more than me?

“Roberto, please. What the fuck do you want from me?” I blurted. “I’m sorry we ended. I’m sorry that I let it go so far. I’m sorry that you hate me now. Once, we cared for each other. Can we find a way to make this less terrible, please?”

He paused as if considering my question. His face softened with a sad smile, and hope glimmered. Had I broken through?

“Roberto,” I whispered.

His green eyes met mine. I watched as a mask fell across his face like a shadow. His lips tightened. He tugged on his coat jacket and straightened his tie. The moment was gone. His feelings remained buried under boulders of anger and pain.

“Good day, Bella.” He walked away.

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