Page 83 of Immoral

"But what if the rainbow appears and pigs start to fly all around you?"

"Oh my God. Killian!" Arianna moans.

"Sandro, go check the office," Gianni orders.

Carmine glances at Sandro then pauses to check him out. When he disappears into the office, Carmine leans into my ear so only I can hear him. "Who's Mr. Steel Ass?"

A laugh flies out of me.

"You've been holding out on me," he adds.

"All clear," Sandro calls out.

Carmine smirks at Gianni and Killian then tugs me into the office. He slams the door. "Please tell me this is a horrible joke, and you did not marry that two-timing snake."

"He's never cheated on me."

"That you know of!"

"He hasn't," I insist.

"Let me get my attorney on the line. We can figure out how to get you out of this mess." He pulls his phone out of his pocket and swipes at it.

I grab it from him. "No."

He inhales a sharp breath then puts his hand over my forehead. "Have you gone ill?"

I sigh and softly say, "Carmine, Gianni and I are married. It isn't going to change."

"What happened to swearing him off? Did you forget what he did to you in Italy?"

I close my eyes then open them and look at the ceiling. I count to twenty then almost laugh when I realize how much Gianni has worn off on me.

Carmine snaps, "What's so funny? I remember peeling you off the floor the last time he deserted you."

I stop smiling. "Yes. I remember. And I'll forever be grateful. But things are different now."

"Do not tell me you believe he changed."

I count to five before confidently proclaiming, "He did."

More disapproval fills Carmine's expression. "Men like him don't change. They take and take until there's nothing left but scraps and then douse those in flames."

I stay quiet. I don't blame Carmine for feeling this way. Italy was the worst time in my life after Gianni left. If Carmine hadn't helped me get back into the swing of things, I would have lost my business.

Carmine lowers his voice. "I know you have feelings for him, but—"

"I love him. I always have. I always will. No matter how much time passes, it's never gone away. And heisdifferent," I insist. But as I say it, a small part of me wonders if I'm truly a fool.

"Cara, it's not too late to get out of this."

I square my shoulders. The last few weeks, I've felt closer to Gianni than I ever have, even in Italy before he left. And he does seem different. Since we got married, there have been too many moments to count where Gianni has been vulnerable. It's like he took his wall down, and only I get to see the true him. He's been nothing but a doting husband, and every day I fall deeper in love with him. I admit what I never thought I'd say the night I married Gianni. "I don't want a divorce."

"You've gone mad," Carmine declares.

A hint of anger flares in my belly. I firmly assert, "Gianni and I are married. He's my husband. Iwanthim to be my husband. This isn't going to change. While I understand your concern, I can assure you, he isn't the same man. I would appreciate it if you try to take that into consideration and show him the same amount of respect you show me."

Carmine's eyes widen. "He's brainwashed you."

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