Page 47 of Till Death Do Us Part

“I helped set you on a path to the truth.”

“Did you ever stop to think maybe I didn’t want to spend the weekend with you, Maggio?”

He chuckled. “Your actions and reactions prove otherwise. Unless you want to deny those too.”

If his laughter had been tangible, I would have strangled him with it. I balled the fabric of the dress in my fists to give my hands something to do.

“Margot,” I said. “You brought her to the gala, rubbing her in my face, knowing I’d get jealous. AndI’mchildish?”

“Whatever you feel, your feelings are your own.”

“It was manipulative.” I took a breath, steadying my voice. “You think you’re so much better than Emanuele Corvo. But you’re not. You’re not giving me a choice either.”

I’d always known one day I’d have an arranged marriage. I accepted it. It was just the way things were done in my family. Then the attack happened, and so did Felice Maggio. But he wasn’t giving me a choice either. Maybe we both knew what I wanted, but for once, I wanted the right to admit it on my own terms.

His jaw was so tense, if it would have been made of glass, it would have shattered. He gripped the wheel tighter and swerved, cutting across several lanes. I gasped, reaching out for the window as my body pulled toward the passenger door. Horns blared, but he smoothly pulled to the side of the road.

He took a deep breath, then faced me. “Make your choice, Roma.”

At this point in the night, I was surprised the corset was holding up. As many times as my heart tried to kick out of my chest, it was a miracle the stays were still tight.

“It’s simple. Yes or no.”

“That’ll be it?”

“Finito.”

My gut told me he meant it. Then he’d probably go fuck Margot and I’d be screwed—mentally and emotionally. I’d forever remember this moment and how Ialmostgot what I wanted.

I entwined my fingers with his. “Yes.” My voice was steady and strong.

He raised my hand to his mouth and kissed it. He set our combined hands on my thigh as he pulled into traffic again and headed toward the unknown.

“That would have beenfinitojust for tonight if I would have said no, wouldn’t it?”

He grinned and punched the gas harder.

* * *

It only took us five minutes or so to arrive at the place Felice was taking me. It was within walking distance from the museum. The building itself was old, with stone friezes probably imported from Italy and hand carved with exquisite details. It was a residential high-rise with what I was sure were specular views of Lake Michigan.

Felice turned in underneath the building and parked. He stepped out of the car and opened my door, taking my hand and leading me to what seemed like an entrance with a private elevator.

While we waited for it, I squeezed his hand.

“What about Jack? I was talking to him when you whacked him with the T-rex. There are going to be questions.Why did I leave him? Why didn’t I get help? Who whacked him?I was standing right in front of him.”

He grinned and I thought it was at my use of the word “whack.”

“Did you see me hit him?” he asked.

“No, but…”

“You didn’t see anything. You told Jack you were leaving with Ms. Lang, and then you left him in the office. You have no idea what happened to him after that.”

“He’s going to remember we were talking, and thenboom. Lights. Out.”

“Jack probably has a concussion. Even if he doesn’t, stick to the story. Make him question what really happened.”

---