Page 226 of Roberto

I wasverygood at compartmentalization. I’d been doing it ever since I found out my father was a gangster.

Over the last ten days, I’d put my happiness with Roberto in one compartment…

And the knowledge that he was doing business with Lau in another.

I never allowed the two to coexist in my thoughts simultaneously.

Now that was no longer an option.

My two worlds had collided.

But I still wanted confirmation…

Just in case I was wrong.

Please, God, let me be wrong…

“Who are you doing business with?” I asked.

“You know Mr. Han? The man who was with me both nights I came to De Sade?”

SHIT.

“…I know him well.”

“It’s his boss – a man named Lau.”

I wanted to throw up.

Not just because I detested Lau…

Not just because I knew he corrupted everything he touched…

But because I’d been lying to Roberto by omission.

I’d never told him about my business relationship with Lau…

Or that Lau hadorderedme to see Roberto.

But I’dwantedto see him. After that first dinner, anyway.

And because I’dwantedit, I’d been able to keep a wall in my head between Lau’s orders and the man I was falling for.

Not anymore, though.

“And you think Lau is working with an enemy of yours?” I asked, hating myself for playing the innocent little girl who didn’t know what was going on.

“Yes.”

“Who? Somebody else in finance?”

Roberto looked grim. “Not exactly.”

“Why would you need agun?”

“Because I’m afraid my enemy might try to kill me.”

“Who?!”

---