He knows. He fucking knows what I’m doing, and he must’ve come here without any weapons. It makes sense. His guys are armed, so he doesn’t have to be. And he knew he was going to be close to me.

“Do we have everything we need?”Matteo asks, shaking me off him as if I’m dirt he’s happy he no longer has to touch.

“Yes, sir,” the guy with the camera says.

“Perfect. Then let’s go.” He glances at me before heading to the door.

I just sit there on the bed, glad that he’s gone. Once everyone’s out and the door is locked, I wipe the lipstick off my lips with the back of my hand.

There’s only one thing that comes to my mind after this sick photo shoot. Matteo is going to send the photos to Adriano. I don’t think Adriano will believe anything is going on between Matteo and me because that would make no sense, but he’ll be worried Matteo is hurting me and using me as his plaything.

I guess Matteo wants to make Adriano as mad as possible, but I don’t know what’s going to happen. I wish I had told Adriano about the babies. Actually, I was going to do it, but then Matteo showed up.

If Adriano thinks something bad is happening to me and if Matteo tells him I’m pregnant, he might do something impulsive. I bite down on my lip. There has to be something I can do to get out of here before it’s too late.

My gaze falls on my hand, which is still red from the lipstick. I’m no longer cuffed, which is good. And maybeI have an idea, but as I look around the room, I’m not sure how I’m going to pull it off.

Will Matteo’s men come back to give me some food? I can only hope that they will because I’ll need my energy.

CHAPTER 6

Adriano

Meeting with Gennaro wasn’t on the list of things I ever planned to do again, but here I am. I’ll do anything to get Chiara back, and if that means I have to negotiate with my adoptive father, I’ll do it.

He sits at one of the tables at the restaurant where we’ve agreed to meet. His guards are standing not too far away behind him, and mine are right behind me.

It’s strange to see Gennaro after all this time. He looks the same, just older. His cold gray eyes regard me carefully as I take a seat at the table across from him.

“It’s good to see you,” he says.

“Is it?” I don’t think I can say the same.

“Of course. You’ve done really well for yourself.”

I raise an eyebrow at him. “I’m not here to chitchat.”

“Then why are you here? What are you boys up tonow?” He waves over a waitress, who brings us a bottle of whiskey and two glasses.

But I’m not here to drink, so I wait until the waitress steps away from the table.

“Matteo and I aren’t boys anymore.” I glare at him. “Cut it out with the games. Where is she? Where is my wife?”

I can’t keep the rage out of my voice, and Gennaro’s brow furrows.

“How am I supposed to know where your wife is?” he asks.

I want to lunge across the table and strangle him. “I know Matteo kidnapped her, so don’t pretend you’re fucking clueless. What the fuck do you want from me?”

Gennaro’s jaw clenches, the lines around his eyes becoming more prominent.

Oh, for fuck’s sake. I know what’s happening here. Gennaro truly doesn’t know anything.

“Matteo did it on his own. He didn’t even tell you,” I say.

“I thought you wanted to discuss business. I think it’s time. After all, you’re my heir.”

I scoff.