Page 103 of His Two Hidden Masks

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My second marriage to Roberto Bianco was scheduled to take place at eight p.m. on the steps of the Doge's Palace. I didn’t need a wedding dress this time. I needed a mask and a costume worthy of a ball, and a Man of Honor to help me get it.

Roberto and I agreed to each share our plan with one person. I recommended Roberto enlist Lissa. I knew from experience she was trustworthy.

I thought Roberto would object, but he readily agreed. She was responsible for making sure Roberto made it to the steps of the palace on time.

I, of course, enlisted Leo as my Man of Honor, one more time. The conversation did not go as well as I expected.

“No,” Leo said, his face incredulous.

“What do you mean, ‘no,’” I said. “Did you not understand everything I just told you about Street Entertainment? They are going to destroy the company, and worse, shut down hotels, restaurants. People will lose their jobs. Families will be hurt.”

“I heard all of that, and I now say ‘fuck no,’ Bella. You can’t marry him. You don’t love him.” Leo leaned across the table, his arms crossed and resting on the white tablecloth.

“Leo, this isn’t just about me.”

“I don’t care what happens to your family. You can’t sacrifice yourself for them. Your father has been a shit.”

“He has not always been shitty.”

“Bella, come on,” Leo said, rolling his eyes. “Your father was a ghost in your childhood. He is a workaholic, and apparently, a serial cheater as well.” Leo sighed. “Fuck him and all those nannies.”

“My father is a bad husband, which is undeniable,” I said. “But he is my father, and I can’t let this happen to my family. I do this and I can choose what happens next.”

“Really?” Leo asked. “You believe he will let that happen? He has not supported you, not one day. I don’t know how you can’t see it. Look at how he treated you after Roberto. Think of Bella Baci.”

“I know,” I said. “I agree it’s not without risk. I just can’t let the Street family win.”

“Is this about you winning, or more about James and Dylan losing?”

“I don’t want to talk about Dylan,” I said.

“Fine, Dylan is off limits. Why do you think you can trust Roberto? Do you really think he is going to let you marry him and just let you go.”

“I do.”

“That is fucking insane.”

“It is fucking insane. What is even more fucking insane is that there is something else I haven’t told you.” I took a breath and exhaled. “This is not easy to share.”

“What is it?” Leo said, his tone shifting. He reached across the table and held my hand. “What the fuck haven’t you told me?”

“Before Sara died, Roberto was in love with my sister.”

“I’m sorry, what?” Leo said, dropping my hand in shock.

“He had a key to Sara’s room. He gave it to me. They were together. But there is more.”

“More?” Leo sat back in his chair and raised his Aperol Spritz to his lips draining the entire glass.

“Roberto believes that my sister didn’t die of a blood disease, Leo.” I took a breath. “He says that he went to the hospital and read records that prove she killed herself after arguing with my father.”

Leo’s eyes wide, he leaned forward, his hands over his mouth in shock. “Holy shit, Bella. I mean, that’s terrible. It’s horrible. I’m so sorry. And you think it’s true?”

“I do. I believe him,” I said. “I feel sick thinking about her pain. My whole life, my parents lied to me, Leo, both of them. I don’t know why they didn’t trust me with this truth. It makes my whole life in Venice feel like a lie.”

My eyes filled with tears. “I knew losing Sara was a tragedy but it is so much worse than I ever knew.” Tears choked my voice. Leo grasped my hand.

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