Page 73 of His Two Hidden Masks

“I imagine you know a side of him that I don’t,” James said. This man was so smooth and evasive.

“I imagine I do.” My mind raced, searching for my next move. My family needed this deal, but that didn’t meanJames Street wasn’t lying or withholding information. “Dylan mentioned he spoke with you this morning.”

“Yes,” James said. “He shared the news you are shutting down your business.”

I felt gut shot. Dylan made it sound like he was just along for the ride in Venice, when he was really sharing our private conversations. Dylan was the first person whom I had opened up to in months, and I did not expect him to report the details of my life to his brother. I certainly didn’t expect him to recap our argument.

“He shouldn’t have shared that,” I said, my cheeks flushed. I hated feeling flustered in front of this cool and collected man. I was so tired of men having the upper hand.

“Don’t be embarrassed,” James said, further embarrassing me. “I overstepped. I was surprised to learn about Bella Baci at the vote. During due diligence, your business was never mentioned as an asset.”

“Well, they don’t think of it as an asset,” I said, narrowing my eyes. What was he trying to do, win me over with mock sympathy? Or make me burst into tears with disappointment that my family didn’t think my work was worth mentioning?

“Why do you care about my business at all? You said it yourself, my family needs your money. Without it, we lose everything,” I said.

“It’s just that you surprise me, Isabella. You were the one ‘nay’ in the room, and here you are, advocating for the deal.”

“I am well aware of how I voted. I think it’s important to remember that a woman is allowed to change her mind anytime she wants.”

He smiled so perfectly it almost made his beautiful face too beautiful. James looked calculating. He lacked Dylan’s mischief. “Dylan brought up your business because he was impressed with it,” James said.

“I guess he has a sweet tooth.”

“My brother has had a lot of things said about him, but that is a new one.” James sounded a little more human in that moment. Just a little.

I decided to push for more. “Am I the only person in the world who knows that your brother is Strand?”

“Fuck,” James said, his faint smile replaced with a solid scowl. “He told you.”

“Yes,” I said. “He told me.”

“Strand is gone, so it doesn’t matter. My family has managed rumors of Strand for years, but we have a solid relationship with the press. I trust you too, will be discrete.”

“Why do you think he told me?” I asked.

James narrowed his eyes. “I have no idea. Dylan joined me in Venice at the last minute. He needed a change of scene and perhaps he wanted to talk to someone.”

“A change of scene from what?”

James’s phone vibrated. “I’m sorry, I have to take this.”

He excused himself and walked across the lobby before answering his phone. If he wasn’t lying to me out right, I was certain of one thing. James Street was hiding something.

Dylan Street was not the only brother in Venice keeping secrets.

15

The palazzo was quiet as I walked upstairs, my mind replaying my conversation with James. I believe he told the truth about my family needing his money, but he was withholding something about Roberto and their plans.

A door clicked shut in the hall. I stopped on the stair, just below the landing, wanting to avoid running into anyone in my family. I lacked the energy for conversation, or worse, conflict.

I stood on tiptoes and watched in confusion as my mother stepped out of Sara’s bedroom. I held my breath as she locked Sara’s door and walked down the hall to her bedroom.

As her door shut, I finally exhaled. My heart racing, I quickly walked up the remaining stairs and stood in front of Sara’s door. A ball of nerves, my heart pounding, I turned the glass doorknob. It was locked.

I placed my hand against the smooth wood of Sara’s door. A wave of frustration seized me and my head dropped. Tears flooded my eyes. Why was my mother sneaking in and out of Sara’s locked door?

No one was allowed inside her room. This was one of the unspoken rules that grounded my family. At least that is what I believed. Confusion and fear gripped me.

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