Page 29 of Sweet Retribution

“Yes.”

“And if people want to talk to us? Me? You?”

“I don’t make small talk.”

“Oh, aren’t we all aware.” I wave my hand through the air. “We’re still pretending to be happy in love? Does that matter anymore now that Lorenzo is... dead?” It still feels weird to say that. To believe it.

For twenty-six years I feared the man. To be totally free, it’s still surreal. Granted, now I have Antonio to fear. I don’t understand why we need to remain married, or even pretend to be happy.

“Your father had conditions in granting you the shares.”

Of course he did.

“He went to great measures to make sure you wouldn’t marry simply to gain control of the company. He put in the two year stipulation, which was how long he thought it would take for Rossi to give him an heir. And his heir automatically inherits your shares.”

I shiver at the repulsive thought of him coming anywhere near me again. “Not happening.” I toy with the clutch in my hands. “Where does happily ever after fall into play? He sure the hell didn’t have that with my mother.”

“Again, to make sure you weren’t marrying to spite him or to avoid Rossi.”

“I wouldnothave been happy with Antonio.”

“Your father was the decider if you were truly happy. I assume he would’ve overlooked your true happiness as long as his partnership with Rossi worked out and he provided an heir.”

“Since he’s gone I guess we don’t have to pretend to be happy. That’s why you’ve turned back to asshole mode.”

Again, he pinches the back of his neck. “Parisi’s lawyer is responsible for monitoring yourhappiness.”

“And how the hell does one do that?”

“I don’t know, which is why I don’t want to give him any reason to question our marriage.”

“Oh, that explains why you’ve been so sweet to me tonight.” I smile through my sarcasm.

Once again he ignores my snippy attitude. “We don’t have to pretend at home. Like I said, my number one concern is keeping you safe.”

“Don’t lie to me, Stone. You’ve always been upfront and honest. My safety isn’t your number one. There’s something else you’re trying to accomplish here. It’s not just revenge on Antonio for kidnapping me.”

He dips his chin. “You’re correct.” He glances out the window before returning his attention to me again. “The authorities were able to rescue more than twenty girls who were abducted and held as prisoners in caves on your father’s property, waiting to be sold.”

“Oh my god.” I cover my face with my hands. “The girls... are they okay now? Have they been reunited with their families?”

Stone nods. “They arrested twelve men on the grounds, but I highly doubt that’s all of them.”

“Antonio Rossi. He’s involved as well.”

Stone nods again. “I believe there’s a second location. Rossi and Parisi had planned on merging their resources. Rossi does more of the grunt work, locating the girls. Parisi was the holding tank before they got loaded on ships and exported to the highest bidders.”

“That’s terrible. Repulsive. Evil. There are no words harsh enough to describe...” My heart burns for those poor children and their families. From the little he’s told me, after his sister and mother were kidnapped and raped by my father and Antonio, Stone had devoted his life to ending the child sex trafficking ring. At least the one that destroyed his family.

It makes me sick that my father was a part of this.

“I need to find Rossi for many reasons. Your safety is one of them, that’s not a lie.”

“Okay.” I run my fingers across my throat and don’t miss how Stone’s gaze follows the movement. The limo comes to a stop in front of a magnificent building. “I can pretend to like you for a night. You’re going to have to pretend to like me as well. This happily ever pretense is a two-way street, you know.”

“I’ll try.”

Wait. Did the corner of his lip lift in an almost smile? I’ll take what little attention I can get from the man. Again, not that I need it. It’s for show.

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