Page 76 of Corrupted Union

“So, you weren’t just using me this entire time?” I whisper.

“No!”

I stare at Leo, taking in the sincerity in his voice. He may believe what he says to be true, but I don’t believe him. This entire time, was he just trying to seduce me to win his bet? The museum dates, the theme park dates, the way he made me feel special enough to want to have sex with him. It was all just a ploy to win a bet. He doesn’t think I’m special. I’m just another woman on his list to hurt.

“Fran,” Leo says, but I walk around him, leaving the room. I hear someone’s phone ring behind me, but I don’t slow down. Leo used me. He was using me this entire time, and for what? For a challenge? Because he could? Leo full on admitted that he did bad things to women, but he made me believe he’d never do that to me. Well, he’s a liar because he did.

I hear Emilia’s voice faintly as she talks to someone on the phone. I reach the stairs, intent to stay at Emilia’s house for a while until I can figure out what to do about Leo. But I stop when Emilia calls out for me.

I turn back to Emilia hurrying over to me, her phone clutched in her hand. All the men follow. “Fran,” she says. “Mom just called.” Her voice is choked up and frantic.

“What is it?” I ask, a growing anxiety in my chest.

“She just told me Franco kicked Antonio out. That he took him somewhere to make sure Antonio couldn’t be his competition any longer.”

“What? What happened?”

“I don’t know. Mom doesn’t even know if Antonio is alive or dead. All she knows is he’s gone.”

CHAPTER17

Francesca

“What do we do?” I ask Emilia.

“Mom just told me that tension was rising between Antonio and Franco as his birthday has come closer.” Emilia responds, holding up her phone. “I guess men showed up to the house today and took Antonio away. There wasn’t anything Mom or anyone else could do. I need to go there. I need to make sure Mom is all right. I need to find Antonio. I’m worried Franco might try to kill him.” Emilia turns to Marco. “Is there any way you can help?”

Marco frowns. “I’m sorry. If Franco is still in charge, I can’t risk putting the rest of your family in danger by going against him.”

“But Antonio is the rightful heir!”

“I know.” Marco gently takes Emilia’s arms, pulling her closer to him. “I know. But Franco is the one with power. All your father’s men follow him now. Antonio was only twelve when your father died. He wasn’t in the right position to take over, and now that’s coming back to bite him.”

“But him being twelve when our dad died wasn’t his fault.” Emilia jerks away from Marco. “How is any of this fair?”

“It’s not,” Marco replies. “But my hands are tied. If Antonio wants to gain power, he’ll have to do it himself.”

“If he’s even alive,” I whisper.

Marco nods at me. “Yes. If he’s even alive.”

“Don’t say that,” Emilia snaps, pointing at Marco. “Don’t say that. I’m going back home.” She turns toward the stairs when Marco rests his hand on her arm, stopping her.

“Emilia, you’re almost nine months pregnant. You’re due next week.”

“I don’t care. I need to be there for my family. I’m going.”

Marco sighs deeply, a pained expression on his face. “I can’t go with you right now. I have so much work to do.”

“It’s ok.” Emilia gives him a small smile. “It’s ok. But I’m going.” She turns to me. “You want to come with me?”

I look between her and Leo, who’s still giving me a pleading expression. How could Leo hurt my heart like this? Emilia warned me about him, and she was right. She’s always had my back.

I face her head on. “I’m coming with you.”

“Fran, wait.” Leo steps forward, reaching out for me but I step away. “We need to talk about this.”

“There’s nothing to talk about. You messed up, Leo. You promised me you were different!” I shout, surprising even myself. Emilia stops on the stairs, looking down at me with a pitying expression. “You promised me you’d changed!” Leo flinches. “But my sister was right about you. And she needs me right now. My … family needs me right now.”

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