Page 25 of Ruthless Vengeance
I blink.
He thinks I was working with Ben?
My knees threaten to buckle beneath me, so I grab onto the back of one of the armchairs to keep myself upright.
“No, Marco, it’s not like that, I swear. I didn’t know he was involved with Tommaso.”
Marco pours a drink. “How fucking convenient.”
My heart is beating so fast in my chest, and a thin sheen of sweat is starting to coat the back of my neck.
I’m losing him all over again.
“When I found out, I was going to tell you as soon as we got back here, Iswear.”
“Youswearyou were going to tell me so many things, Clara. And yet, I never ever find the truth from you until I force it out of you.”
Tears start to blur my vision. “Please, Marco, you have to believe me.”
Marco downs his drink before slamming the glass down on the cart.
I hold my breath as he walks over to me.
But when he doesn’t stop, I instinctively move back until I hit the wall.
He’s so close that the heat radiating from his body is enough to scorch me, his breath tickles my cheek.
Twenty-four hours ago, I would have given anything to be this close to him. I found comfort in his strength.
But now I fear it.
“So, what is this, then?” His face is barely an inch from mine. “Is this some kind of setup?”
“Setup?”
“Are you working with him? Withthem?”
His words are like a slap to the face.
I blink up at him, completely stunned. “H-how can you even think that?”
“Quite easily.”
I’m going to be sick. “Marco, Iloveyou.” I reach for him, but he recoils from my touch.
I choke back a sob as my legs give out beneath me, and I sink to the floor, unable to keep myself together any longer.
I can’t breathe.
The tears fall hard and fast, and I can’t stop them. “I would never hurt you. Never. And I didn’t plan any of this. Ben…I cut him out of my life years ago. Please, you have to believe me…” My voice cracks, and I start sobbing.
Marco mutters something under his breath that I can’t quite catch and then, without another word, he storms out of the study, slamming the door behind him.
I press both hands over my face, trying to take a breath, but my chest is too tight.
I have to get out of here.
My body is shaking so much that it takes me a second to get to my feet, but I somehow manage it.
