Page 124 of Empire of Temptation

“Get out of my way, old man, or I’m taking you out.”

“Give me the key to the ATV,” Valentina called. “Then you two can beat each other to death.”

“Fratello,” I said, knowing my brother would understand. I couldn’t let Valentina leave without me.

“He touches her, you die,” Segreto said softly, then he tossed a key to Valentina. “Do you know how to drive it?”

“Are you kidding? All the guys out here have them. I learned how in middle school.”

“Do not leave,” I said. “Per favore, amore. You must let me explain.”

“There is no explanation for this.” She grabbed the knob on the back door. “Other than I was a fool to believe a single word you said.”

“I never lied to you.”

Pulling on the door, she threw it wide open. “Sure, Mr. DiMarco. Keep telling yourself that.” She paused and closed her eyes, chest heaving. I thought she might be willing to hear me out when she said, “Do not kill my father, Luca. Do not hurt him, either. If you have any shred of decency, any respect for me at all, you will not harm him. Give me your word on whatever honor you have left.”

My muscles twitched with the violence lurking just under the surface of my skin. I wanted to make Segreto pay for ever involving himself in my relationship with Valentina. Now she hated me, and it was unclear whether I could ever gain her forgiveness.

He deserved to suffer for this.

“Valentina,” I said, putting all my displeasure into the single word.

“No, don’tValentiname. Promise you won’t hurt him. He said he didn’t kill this man’s daughter. That should be enough for you. The rest doesn’t matter.”

The rest? Did she mean the two of us? “If I agree, then you must listen to my explanation.”

“Is that your promise?”

I ground my back teeth together and spat, “Yes, I promise not to hurt him if you hear me out.”

“Okay, then. I’ll listen to your explanation.” She gave a bitter laugh. “Send me a text message and I promise to read it.”

Before I could comment, she disappeared out the door, making sure to slam it behind her. Seconds later, the ATV roared to life. She gave it gas and we heard the whine of the engine as she rolled away.

Segreto took a few steps back but kept the gun on me. “She deserved to know.”

I put my hands on my hips and pinned Valentina’s father with a hard stare. “You know I care for her, yet you poisoned her against me. I should kill you for it.”

“But you’re a man of your word,” he said. “So you won’t. At least one of us has her best interests in mind.”

“I have her best interests in mind. It’s why I didn’t kidnap her, why I’ve been helping the restaurant. I would do anything for your fucking daughter!”

Segreto lowered his gun slowly. “Which is why you’re going to give her up. She deserves better than a life of prison and blood.”

Chapter Thirty

Valentina

Ifound Maggie in the main tasting room.

In search of solitude, I fled to the Fiorentino Winery yesterday after leaving the tiny lake house. I knew Luca would approach me at the trattoria or my house—and I certainly wasn’t returning to the mansion. Maggie had taken me in, no questions asked.

Women were the fucking best.

“There you are!” My friend waved from where she was standing with three men at a round table.

They all looked over at me, so I forced a smile. No doubt it was as brittle as my insides, cold and without feeling. As I drew closer, I saw they were tasting wine.

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