Page 21 of Forever Fake

I wave him off. “My love life is none of your concern.”

“It is when I promised Sophia I’d always protect her sisters. So you can confess right now, what’s your angle? What are you doing with Ginevra?”

My lips briefly quirk up at the corners. Roman knows me too well. Deceiving him is next to impossible, and will only make matters worse when my time with Gin comes to an end.

We stop at the mouth of the alley. It’s late, after one in the morning, and the club’s music spills from the entry around the corner where a line extends in the opposite direction in front ofRiot. The place is busy for a Sunday night.

Leaning against the side of the building, I consider how best to tell Roman the truth. Every which way I spin the situation, it doesn’t sound good. So I just let it out.

“I’m blackmailing her into being my fake girlfriend and future fake wife.” I inwardly cringe at those words. Normally, I don’t feel an ounce of remorse, but confessing to Roman leaves a burning sensation in my chest. Heartburn, perhaps?

His fist comes out of nowhere. It solidly connects with my jaw and if I weren’t already leaning against a solid structure, I’d have stumbled. Pain sparks across my face and has me seeing stars. I blink them away, rubbing my chin.

Fuck that hurt.

Roman steps away, shaking out his hand. “I’m sure you have a splendid explanation, but right now I don’t want to hear it.”

Fucking hot-headed Italian. He might look calm, his voice even and steady, but I can tell he’s seething. He’s just waiting for a reason to punch me again.

Straightening up, I shoot him a pointed look. “It’s not like I kidnapped her from her fucking fiancé. From her ownengagement party.” I motion toward the club, indicating Kozlov with the gesture. “Or drugged and dragged her to a church in the middle of the night.”

“No, you’re just blackmailing her into walking down the aisle,” Roman snarls. “If you were anyone else I’d cut off your fucking balls! As it is, I don’t want to speak with you again until you’ve pulled your head out of your ass and let the girl go free.”

“I can’t. I won’t. I need Ginevra to play her part.” I stand tall, but don’t make a move. I have no intention of fighting Roman.

“Let me guess… this has something to do with your step-mother.” Perceptive as always.

I nod.

“Even more of a reason not to get Gin involved. She’s too young and naive for the vipers nest that is your family.”

“This is happening, there’s nothing you can do about it.” I take one step toward him. “Yve has to believe that Gin and I are in love, that our marriage is legitimate.” I mutter a curse. “I never should have told you the damn truth. Especially if this is how you’re going to react.” Brushing my thumb over my bruised jaw, I scowl. “You can’t tell Sophia the truth.”

“Well, I’m not fucking lying to her.” He glances away and shakes his head. “I’m staying out of this. Don’t you dare come crawling to me when the shit hits the fan. And you know it fucking will.”

With those ominous words, he strides from the alley, leaving me alone with my aching jaw, and a deep sense of foreboding.

Fuck him. I’m in control of this situation. I’ve thought of every angle, and have backup plans if anything goes awry. Everything will turn out exactly as planned. It has to. I won’t rest until I have my inheritance.

CHAPTER 10

Ginevra

“What do you think you’re doing here?” Father’s voice booms in the hallway outside my door, jolting me awake.

“Just following orders, sir. We’ll be in and out as quickly as possible.” An unfamiliar female voice answers him and I roll out of bed to see what is going on.

As soon as I open my door, no less than seven people swarm my room and immediately start packing up my belongings. I stare at them in shock, unable to utter a single coherent word.

“Did you know the movers were coming today?” Papa demands, annoyance written across his features.

Movers?

“I…”

“Answer me, girl.”

“Honey,” Mama enters my room, stepping around Papa. “Are you really moving in with Mr. Baron? Already? Isn’t this too soon?”

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