Page 46 of Sinful Pleasure

And that was the truth. The city itself was breathtaking. It was the circumstances that had brought me here that left a bitter taste in my mouth.

“But I’d like to go home for a few days— to see my mom.”

I immediately regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth. Everyone at the table turned to look at me, and the weight of their attention pressed on me like a thousand pounds.

“If that’s okay, of course,” I rushed to add, trying to soften the request.

Angelo furrowed his brows, his tone shifting into something that was neither an agreement nor a denial.

“Why didn’t you discuss it with me first?”

I shrugged, trying to sound casual.

“You were gone. And I just talked to my mom yesterday. I’d love to go visit her if that’s okay.”

I lied.The lie came so easily, slipping off my tongue without hesitation. I hadn’t spoken to my mom in days, and I certainly hadn’t returned any of her calls. But I hoped that this little plan of mine would work in my favor.

Angelo studied me for a long moment, his gaze steady, before finally nodding.

“Okay, you can go.” His voice was neutral, but the way he said it didn’t feel like permission—it felt more like a decision he made without much thought. “Maddox, will you accompany her?”

My blood ran cold, and I swear the world stopped turning for a moment. Just the mention of his name felt like a death sentence hanging in the air.

Maddox didn’t respond immediately, his silence heavy, almost like he was waiting to see if anyone would question him.

He hadn’t said a word throughout this entire exchange—he was just watching, observing the mess unfold.

“Do I have a choice?” His voice was low, muttering sarcastically.

“Can I come too?” Lydia chimed in, her voice cheerful and excited. “I love a good adventure trip.”

I nodded her way with a smile.

“Unfortunately, I can’t be there,” Angelo added, his voice tinged with a hint of frustration. “I have an urgent deal that needs to be closed in New York before the end of the week. But you can go.”

“So it’s decided!” Lydia exclaimed, clapping her hands, completely ignoring Angelo’s words. “We’re leaving tomorrow?”

“Only for three days,” Angelo clarified, his gaze shifting to me. “We’ll leave for Italy after that.”

For the first time since breakfast, something grabbed Maddox’s attention enough to make him lift his head. Our eyes met, and I could see that he was searching for answers in my face—answers I wasn’t sure I could give him.

“Tell your mother we’ll join you the next time,” Rosetta said warmly, giving me one of her radiant smiles. “I miss her.”

I nodded, barely hearing her words, my focus still fixed on Maddox. The brief moment of eye contact lingered, but it was Maddox who broke it first.

He looked away, his face as unreadable as always, leaving me with that familiar sinking feeling in my stomach.

Whatever.

I got what I wanted. I was going back home.

Even if it was only for three days, I was escaping this place.

*****

MADDOX

With each step closer to my brother’s office, the anger inside me built up—rising higher and higher until it reached a point where I could feel it seeping through my every muscle. I didn’t have much patience to begin with, and my entire fucking family was pushing me to my breaking point.

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