Page 117 of The Deal

I say, “No!” while Alexander mutters, “Hopefully.”

“I know you like to dress for dinner, but?—”

“You are wearing clothes, Chloe,” Alexander snaps, cutting me off.

I roll my eyes. “Obviously, but can I just throw on my pyjamas? I want to wear something comfy that doesn’t involve a bra.”

“No,” he growls. “And youarewearing a goddamn bra. I don’t need you giving my brother more ammo.”

I blow out a puff of air as I unhook my towel, letting it drop to the floor and begin riffling through my underwear drawer. I don’t even have the energy to fight back.

I’ll begrudgingly dress and go downstairs for dinner, because I know Alexander will get even pissier if I don’t eat, then I’m coming straight back up here to crawl into bed.

I slip into my underwear, shimmying them up over myhips without sparing a glance at Alexander as he does the same. I’ve officially moved into his room now. He even made space for me in his wardrobe, I’ve got the left side; he’s claimed the right.

My old room has been transformed into a permanent bedroom for Giovanni. Alexander wanted his decorator to handle the makeover, but I thought it would be more fun if Giovanni got to choose everything himself—well, with a bit of guidance from me.

It turned out great, and I hope he gets plenty of use out of it. None of us knows when Sophia will be returning for him. I don’t want to think about that day because I already know it will break me. I adore that little boy as if he were my own.

My lips press into a thin line as my hands move behind my back to fasten the clasps of my bra. Once I’m done, I grab the first dress within reach, yanking it off the hanger without a second thought. I don’t even care which one it is; I’m dressing under duress.

Alexander steps up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. I feel the warmth of his bare chest press against my back. “I’m sorry for snapping,bella.”

I glance over my shoulder at him. “You know your brother isn’t interested in me, right? He simply enjoys goading you.”

“I know,” he replies, pressing a chaste kiss to my shoulder. “I just have a lot going on right now.”

I turn in his arms, sliding my hands around his neck. “Are you okay? You’ve been all over the place. One moment, everything seems fine, and then you do something that makes me feel like it’s not.”

“I’ll be better once tonight is over.”

I pull back, eyes narrowing. “Tonight? What’s happening tonight?”

He lets go of me and turns to grab a shirt off the hanger. “Let’s go eat. We can talk after dinner.”

My stomach twists, a knot forming. What does that even mean? He said he had no more secrets. Was he lying?

Chapter 35

Alexander

Ireach for her hand, lacing my fingers through hers as we descend the stairs. She’s unusually quiet, and I’m kicking myself now. I hadn’t meant to say what I said. I was merely thinking out loud. I wasn’t lying when I said I was worried about tonight, but not for the reasons she may think.

My grip on her hand tightens as we weave through the house toward the dining room. When we round the corner, everyone rises from their seats, shouting, “Surprise!”

Chloe freezes, her body rigid. Her wide eyes slowly move around the room before locking onto me again. Then, without warning, she does the unexpected: she covers her face and bursts into tears.

“Tesoro,” I whisper, wrapping her tightly in my arms. It’s not the reaction I expected.

“How did you know it was my birthday?” she mumbles against my chest.

“I did a background check on you.”

She gasps, tilting her tear-stained face back to meet my eyes. “Why?”

“I needed to know what I was getting myself into … to ensure there were no unexpected skeletons in your closet.”

Her eyes narrow just a little, but they are sharp with accusation. “Like a wife and child?”

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