Page 32 of Don't Break My Heart
Orlando tugs my hand, and I take the seat beside him and Romeo on the leather sofa. Onyx and Reef stand in the doorway. Their large frames are ominous and threatening. They don’t trust this fucker either. Onyx makes a show of lifting his jacket so Valentine can see he’s carrying. He doesn’t look at me, not at all; he focusses all his attention on Valentine, like an athlete who wants to perfect his sport, he knows never to take his eyes off the ball.
If Valentine notices, he doesn’t show it, instead steepling his hands on his desk and locking eyes with me. “As you all know, our dear papa left everything he built to Orlando’s lovely wife, Ava. I think we can all acknowledge he did it out of spite because his two oldest sonsabandoned him. She clearly doesn’t know a thing about running an organization of this size. Not only that but our men already respect and follow me. It would be in the best interest of every person in this room if Ava refused the inheritance by signing the Disclaimer of Interest that our lawyers have drawn up. This will waive her rights to inherit. That would leave the inheritance to pass to the next-named person according to a succession clause. That would be me. Romeo and Orlando, your legal team have made your amendments. I will graciously pass the ownership of all our family clubs and the benefits that come with them to you.” He clicks his pen and turns the papers in my direction.
The clubs and the benefits that come with them.His words make me feel sick to the stomach. I purse my lips as I glance him over. His stupid smirk makes me want to fly across the table and slap it right off his face. This is what I want, out of any responsibility, able to fly back home to my life. But would giving this vile man sitting across from me all control be as bad as when his papa was in charge? How much innocent blood would end up on my hands?
I pick up the contract. “I’ll look it over and get back to you,” I say with way more confidence than I feel right now.
His eye twitches. “There is nothing to look at, I’m giving you the out you want.” His voice rises as he tries to control his anger.
Orlando’s hand grips mine tightly. “What are you doing?” he says under his breath.
My lips twitch up at the sides. Yeah, none of these fuckers saw that one coming. “Then there is no issue with me taking some time to look it over.” I stand, holding the papers, ready to get out of this place. “I’ll let you know my decision in a couple of days.”
“Orlando, control your wife,” Valentine spits back, losing his temper as his chair flies across the room, crashing dramatically.
I glance back at Orlando, wondering what his next move will be. Will he do as his brother says or have a little faith in me? He smiles at me, a warm smile that I feel light me up. “She knows what she’s doing. I back her decision one hundred percent. We will be back in a few days after looking over the papers.”
“Romeo!” Valentine yells, his voice booming off the walls of the confined space.
Romeo shrugs, a nonchalant movement, even though I know I’m going to be in shit when we get out of here for keeping this from him. But the truth is, even I didn’t know I would make this decision until it was placed in front of me. “What’s a few more days, Brother? Let’s bury our dear papa, then we can revisit the matter of his will.”
Warmth spreads right through my body. They both supported me against their vile brother. Thank fucking God because I was doing this with or without them. But fuck, it makes life easier if we’re a team.
They stand by my sides, and the three of us follow Onyx and Reef out of the room, leaving Valentine with steam coming from his ears. Something smashes from within the den, the sound of shattering glass, followed by him yelling something at the lawyers about them doing their jobs.
Romeo leans into my side. “I hope you know what you’re doing, doll face.”
I smile back at him. Not yet, but I’m sure I’ll work out something in the next few days. All I know is that man can’t have all the control; he will only abuse it just like Emilio did.
Chapter 15
OnyxpullsournewMaserati Quattroporte, fully equipped with extra security features, into the turn circle of the estate mansion where the masquerade ball is being held tonight for one of the Moretti charities. I have no idea what charity, I can’t keep up with the businesses they have, let alone their charities. I stare out of the bullet-proof glass, wondering what fresh hell tonight has in store for me. Nothing good has come from being in this country. If anything, every day only feels as though it gets worse. Onyx moves to my door and opens it for me, his gun visible at his waistband, a constant reminder of the warning he is to every fucker to stay away from me.
I flick the train of my long silk gown out of the way so I can step out of the car and take his waiting hand. Reef is on the other side, opening the door for Romeo. Even under their black masks I don’t miss the look they share. Things are tense between them, I can feel it, and I’m not sure why, but this pressure-cooker situation would get to even the best couples.
Orlando is right behind me, the fabric of his tuxedo brushing around my bare arm as he links his arm with mine. “Tonight is all about looking the part, treasure.”
I fix my mask in place, glancing back at his handsome face, knowing what he’s saying. I have to play the part and behave like a good little wife. Tonight, I have no intention of fighting with him. Not when Iknow how fragile he still is. If it was up to me, he wouldn’t be out of our villa at all. “Let’s get this over and done with quickly then.” I offer a half smile that he returns.
I think he’s almost surprised I’m making this easy for him, but I know how important tonight is. I overheard him and Romeo talking earlier. Dante Conti is going to be here. It’s the only reason we have to come. They have some deal to cut with him. Another loose end that needs to be tied up before we can go home. And after the threat he sent to our villa the other night, I need him dealt with as well.
Onyx falls into step beside me, lowering his head to my ear. “Have you got your gun?”
I wink at him so he knows I’m all good. I have a gun strapped to my thigh and my trusty knife in my handbag. You can never be too safe at a magical charity ball.
I’m in awe as we approach the beautiful old building. Its weathered stone façade, towers before us as we climb the worn stone steps up to the grand oak entry hall. Our tickets are checked by a young woman in a black sparkly number on the door, as a classical version of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” plays on a grand piano, welcoming us and setting a romantic mood to this masquerade ball as it drifts through the air.
The main hall is filled with people in expensive suits and stunning evening gowns mingling with flutes filled with bubbly, as their happy chatter pulls us into the room.
“Champagne, wildcat?” Reef offers me, his smile forced.
“Thanks.” I smile back at him, and Romeo wanders to the bar. I watch them, unable to help it. Romeo’s posture is tense, and Reef keeps his distance, his hands in his suit pockets like a physical barrier between them. “Why are they fighting?” I ask Orlando and Onyx.
Onyx glances their way and back to me and shrugs, even though I know he knows full well what the fuck is going on. He sees everything.
“This situation isn’t easy for any of us,” is all Orlando says in response.
“Because Reef was forced to leave his job and move to Italy. No shit,” I snap back, feeling for him.
