Page 25 of The Bonventi Rise
MARCO
The campaign office empties out quickly after my announcement, but the heat of Alina's kiss still burns on my lips. I turn to look at her as she passes by me, watching as she walks away.
No matter how many times I repeat to myself that it was all just for the story, I'm not fully believing it.
As Gio's men do a security sweep, I decide that standing there, looking around anxiously for Alina, isn't good for me, so I make my way to my office.
I settle into my chair, trying to compose myself after that kiss. Before I can fully process everything, Enzo walks in, followed closely by Livia and Gio.
"Quite the performance," Enzo says, leaning against my desk with that knowing smile I've seen a thousand times before.
I loosen my tie, trying to appear casual despite the lingering taste of Alina's lip gloss on my tongue. "It needed to be convincing, you know, give the press what they want."
"Oh, it was convincing, alright," Livia chimes in, sitting on the arm of my office chair, her eyes full of mischief. "A little too convincing, if you ask me. Are you sure this is just business, Marco?"
"Of course it is." The words come out sharper and more defensive than intended. "The press needed something to sell. We gave it to them."
I feel heat creep up my neck but maintain my composure. "It's all part of the plan, Liv. We need to sell this engagement, remember?"
"Sell it?" Gio laughs. "Brother, if that was acting, you deserve an Oscar."
I shoot him a warning glance, but Enzo interjects, "Marco, I've seen chemistry before, and what just happened out there?" He gestures toward the door. "That's not something you can fake."
"Since when did you become an expert on chemistry?" I deflect, organizing papers on my desk that don't need organizing.
"Since I watched my little brother practically devour his 'fake' fiancée in front of the entire Chicago press," Enzo counters. "Mixing business with pleasure never ends well."
A flash of irritation cuts through me. "Oh, that's rich coming from you." I gesture between him and Livia. "Wasn't your marriage supposed to be just business too? How's that working out for you?"
Gio starts laughing. "He's got you there, Zo."
"Guys," Livia interrupts, rolling her eyes. "You know I'm sitting right here."
"Sorry, cara mia," Enzo says, but his focus remains on me. "That was different."
"Was it?" I lean back in my chair, letting my irritation show. "You needed a wife for your reasons. I need a fiancée for mine, chiefly this campaign. Same game, different players."
"The difference is I didn't fight my feelings when they developed," Enzo says, his voice dropping lower. "You're already fighting yours."
"There are no feelings to fight." The lie tastes bitter, almost as bitter as the coffee going cold on my desk. "Alina and I have an arrangement. That's all."
"Keep telling yourself that," Livia says, standing. "But I saw the way you looked at her after that kiss. That wasn't acting. If you don't know it yet, you're in for a world of trouble."
I stand up, suddenly feeling caged in my own office. "Thank you, but I know what I'm doing. Trust me."
But do I? The kiss replays in my mind, and I'm not sure who I'm trying to convince more in this moment—my family or myself.
"Alright, alright," Gio says, "As entertaining as it is watching Marco squirm about his love life?—"
"It's not my—" I start, but Gio holds up his hand.
"We need to discuss security now that the campaign's gone public." His expression shifts from teasing to serious in an instant. "The spotlight's going to bring out all sorts of problems we need to get ahead of."
Thank God for Gio's intervention. The conversation was heading into territory I'm not ready to explore, especially not with my family's knowing looks boring into me.
Enzo nods and straightens up. "You're right," he says and turns to Livia, who's still perched on the arm of one of the office chairs. "Liv, we should let them handle this."
"Of course." Livia stands, smoothing her dress. As they head for the door, Livia pauses, her hand on the doorframe. "Just remember, Marco," she says softly, "sometimes the most dangerous lies are the ones we tell ourselves."
