Page 108 of The Deal

“Yeah,” I lie, my eyes scanning the room. “Your mum stayed in one of the bedrooms on the ground floor,” I say, gesturing to my right. “At the end of that corridor. You’re welcome to grab anything she left behind or just … look around.”

“Alright.”

I hug her briefly, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head. “I’m grateful you’re here with me,” I admit. I thought I could handle this alone, but I was wrong. “I’ll need about an hour or so, then we can head back to the hotel.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll come find you once I’m done.”

I lean forward in my seat, feeling my blood pressure spike. “What do you mean he left everything to me? What about Dante?”

“He left your brother some money,” the lawyer replies, his tone measured.

“How much?” I snap, my voice sharp.

“Two million.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” I grind out, my anger flaring. “Two million dollars? My father was a billionaire. Dante’s been doing his bidding for years, almost lost his life because of it, and this is the thanks he gets?”

“They were your father’s wishes, so you should respect them.”

“Fuck that. I want my brother to get half.” I don’t need the money; I’ve amassed my own fortune over the years.

“If that’s what you want, Alessandro, I can arrange it once everything has gone through probate.”

“That’s exactly what I want,” I say, standing. “But Dante can never find out about this.”

I give him a cold look, one that makes it clear I’m not playing games. I might not be as ruthless as my father was, but I’m not fucking around. This news would destroy my brother.

I extend my hand to him, signalling that this conversation is over.

After I show him to the door, I go in search of Chloe, but she’s nowhere to be found, not in her mother’s old room or the kitchen.

“Chloe,” I call out, a thread of panic creeping into my voice. “Chloe?” I move through the house, my steps growing faster as I check each room. When I don’t find her on the main level, I head upstairs, taking them two at a time as my unease deepens.

Still nothing.

“Chloe!” I call out, my voice rising as I break into a jog, leaping down the stairs, multiple threads at a time, as my heart pounds harder with each step.

I rush out the front door, scanning the yard, but there’s no sign of her. I turn and hurry around the side of the house, freezing the second she comes into view.

She’s beside the pool, on her hands and knees, scrubbing away at the dried blood. The sight hits me like a punch to the gut. My stomach churns, and that sick feeling only deepens as I watch her.

I didn’t want to come out here, but there is no way I’m going to let her continue.

“Chloe,” I growl, forcing myself to keep moving as I cross the lawn with long, purposeful strides. “What are you doing?”

“I …” She glances up at me, and that’s when I notice the tears streaming down her face.

“Amore mio.”

I stalk toward her, and the moment she is in reach, I lean down and tug her to her feet, wrapping her tightly in my arms.

“I didn’t want you to have to deal with this.” Her voice sounds fragile as it trembles against my chest.

I cup either side of her face and tilt her head back until our eyes meet. “I would’ve paid someone else to do it,bella.”

Her eyes squeeze shut, and a few more tears spill down her cheeks. My heart aches as I lean in, pressing soft kisses to her eyelids.

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