Page 17 of Broken Deal

I busy myself by flicking a nonexistent lint off my pants as a deafening silence falls between us.

“Yes,” I answer truthfully, my tone devoid of emotion.

There’s no point in lying. They were going to find out one way or another, might as well get it over with.

He lowers his head in defeat.

I’ve always been great at reading people, and Damian right now? The disappointment practically radiates off him. The irony is not lost on me either. Damian became the businessman he is today thanks to his ambition and his wish to be more, and I helped him through it. Now, he has his life together, a wonderful woman by his side, and his business is booming, and I’m just—little old me.

I’m extremely happy for him and how put together his life is. The man is stupidly in love, which was surprising at first. Shockingly, it suits him. But deep, and I mean very deep down, I’m a little envious. It’s no secret I enjoy women. It’s also no secret people perceive me as a careless playboy.I’ve got my reasons for not opening up to loving someone. Reasons I keep buried deep. Reasons I will never say out loud.

But I can’t deny that loneliness takes hold of me at the most unexpected times. And knowing he’s getting married soon has brought back all those thoughts I’ve been trying to keep at bay for so long. I’m a thirty-six-year-old man who has never been in a serious relationship. No woman in their right mind will date me. I don’t exactly scream husband material. Even if the knowledge stings sometimes, love isn’t for men like me. How could it be?

“When?” he asks.

“On my birthday, last year, when we went to the club.”

He lets out a long exhale. “Lorenzo, I don’t think I need to explain this to you, but I will anyway.” He straightens, stiffening his shoulders. “Whatever games you’re playing with Sophia, you need tostop. This is Aria’s best friend we’re talking about here, not only that, but she—” He stops himself abruptly, shaking his head. “It’s not my place to tell you her business, but she hasn’t had an easy life, and she doesn’t need you to come in and break her heart.”

My ears perk up at his comment. I wonder how much he knows. Damian is like Switzerland, he never gets in the middle of anything, and the fact he’s going out of his way to warn me off must mean Aria has told him enough.

The questions are on the tip of my tongue.

What do you know?

What do you mean she hasn’t had an easy life?

The curiosity is killing me right now. A flicker of inexplicable annoyance runs through my veins at the thought of someone trying to hurt her. Every bone in my body tenses, because I don’t understand where this feeling is coming from. I slept with this womanonce, and she’s been stuck inmy head ever since. Now, she’s stormed back into my life, and I find myself wanting to be around her and learn everything about her. It’s absolute insanity. I barely recognize myself. Me, Lorenzo Mancini, the man who doesn’t sleep with women more than once or care enough to know more about them, can’t get this woman out of his head. Life is such a bitch like that sometimes. What a joke.

“What makes you think I’m going to hurt her?” My voice takes on a challenging tone.

Why am I the only one to blame here? She slept with me, too. And we’re both consenting adults. I’m so sick and tired of people trying to meddle in my business.

He gives me a pointed, knowing look. “I’m not even going to answer that. The last thing I want to do is fight with you,” he replies, getting up from the chair. “All I’m saying is,please, keep things professional with her. Otherwise, when Aria storms in here to cut off your balls, I’m not getting in the way.”

I purse my lips and nod. “Anything else?”

I have no plans of hurting her whatsoever. I’m not a monster. People have this perception of me, and while I couldn’t give less of a fuck, it hurts that my cousin—the man who’s supposed to know me best—can’t see the obvious. Contrary to people’s belief, I do have a conscience, and I understand how complicated it would be if we were to get involved. But people will always believe what they want to believe, and I’m honestly tired of giving people explanations they don’t deserve in the first place.

“As a matter of fact, yes. Aria wanted to invite you to dinner at our place on Sunday. Are you going to be here?”

“I don’t know yet.” I shrug, leaning against the wall behind the bar. “I have to go to Panamá, check in on the progress of the new restaurant.”

“Reschedule it, then. She’s inviting everyone. We have some announcements.”

“Everyone?” I ask a little too quickly.

“Enzo…” he warns.

“What? I’m just curious. It’s going to be pure entertainment having Matteo and Isabella in the same room.” The lie slips through my lips easily.

He shrugs half-heartedly. “That’s what I told her, but she said they are going to have to suck it up and act like adults.”

I snort at his comment. Yeah, right. Matteo and Isabella not at each other’s throats? That’s a sight I would love to see. But I could care less about them. All I care about is the five-foot-tall brunette with a special set of eyes.

I make a split-second decision. “I’ll be there.”

What the fuck are you doing, Lorenzo?

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