Page 50 of A Sinner's Truth

Drew waits for her to leave again before continuing his interrogation. “Why haven’t you had sex yet? And I thought this was a fake marriage?”

“It is fake. We are just making the most of it, I guess. Santo has this thing about being exclusive. We either use each other for sex or we go without,” I tell Drew.

He lifts an incredulous brow. “You really think he’s going to go without sex for a year if you decide you don’t want to?”

I know he will. Santo told me he hasn’t slept with anyone since his fiancée died. That was a year and a half ago. I believe him. He’d be able to go without it. “He would,” I say with confidence.

“Right.” Drew rolls his eyes.

“Aria, I thought that was you, sissy. What are the odds I’d run into you here?” A large body fills the seat next to mine. Gabe De Bellis, Santo’s brother.

My entire being goes on alert. He’s not here by accident. I don’t think any of the De Bellis brothers do anything by accident. “Where’s Santo? What happened?” I ask him.

Gabe looks at me. I know this easygoing expression on his face is a façade. I can tell he doesn’t actually like me very much. Or he doesn’t like the fact that he’s had to come and find me. “I don’t know where your husband is, dear sister. I figured that’s something you would know,” he says.

“He was with Gio when I left him.” Santo’s fine. Gio’s not going to let anything happen to him. Right?

“Hey. Gabrielle De Bellis, the brother-in-law.” Gabe holds out a hand to Drew.

“Drew, the best friend,” he replies while returning the gesture.

“Sure,” Gabe says a little sarcastically. “I’m heading back to the house. Aria, you need a ride?” Although he makes it sound like a question, I have a feeling it’s anything but.

“Actually, I have things to do, but thanks.” I smile at him, hoping it eases some of the blow.

“No worries.” Gabe stands. He looks at Drew like he wants to wring his neck before he shocks me by bending down to kiss my cheek. “Call your husband. He could use a friend right now,” Gabe whispers.

“Actually, I do need to go back. I’d love a lift. Sorry, Drew. I’ll call you later. Thanks for the tea. Love you.” I hug him briefly, then quickly follow Gabe out of the café.

When I’m closed inside the back of an SUV, I turn to Gabe. “Where is he?” I ask more forcefully than I mean to.

“He’s with Gio, doing a job,” Gabe says.

“Then why am I here? Why do I need to go home with you? And why are you trying to make me think something is wrong with him?”

“He found out basically everything he believed was a lie. He’s not going to deal with it well. And I want to make sure you can handle it,” Gabe tells me as he pulls the car into traffic.

“Handle what?”

“Santo, when he’s at his worst,” he says.

I can’t imagine Santo being that bad. I mean, he’s helping me when he could have easily walked away. He didn’t have to put himself out to save me. “What do you meanat his worst?”

“He’s going to go on self-destruct mode. I don’t know what’s going to pull him back this time, but I’m hoping like fuck it’s you.” Gabe pins me with a look.

Well, way to put the pressure on me.

I don’t think I’m the answer to what he’s searching for, though. I don’t even know Santo that well. How the hell am I supposed to get through to him when I don’t even know what’s wrong with him yet?

What did he find out?

Chapter Twenty-Three

Have you ever felt like you’re going through the motions and not really living? That’s what I felt like I was doing. I did everything that was expected of me. I had a great life. But there was always something missing.

Until I met James. He filled a hole I didn’t even know was there until I met him. The nights I spend with him are magical. It’s as if we’re one person, so in sync. I can tell him anything and he just listens, doesn’t judge or try to order me around.

I know it’s wrong. What I’m doing to S is wrong, but I can’t stop. I don’t know how. The worst part is, he hasn’t even noticed I’m not around as much. S loves me. I know he does. But how can he love me if he doesn’t even notice I’m already gone?

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