Page 114 of The Sexy Billionaire

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GIORGIO

Leaving Paige sleepy and sated was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. Thankfully, we’d fucked each other’s brains out for the past twenty-four hours, not knowing how long it would be until we saw each other again. The only reason I’m leaving her now is because Allegra and Giada have arrived back in Rome. And today is the day Allegra comes out to our parents.

“Sweetheart, are you okay?” My mother asks as I had to dodge a paparazzi scrum out the front of their villa. Thank goodness for tinted windows and the undercover garage.

“I’m fine,” I tell her as I kiss her cheeks.

“Vultures,” my father hisses as he comes to welcome me.

“They are,” I agree, hugging him before they escort me into the living room where Luca is seated.

“Where’s Lilly?” I ask, usually they are joined at the hip.

His face tightens. “Thought it would be safer if she stayed at home.”

Oh.

“I’m sorry,” I say quietly.

“It’s not your fault,” he says, shaking his head.

“Has the party started yet?” Natalia asks as she struts in, giving us a hug.

“You’re early, so it hasn’t started yet,” I tell her as one of the staff brings us some drinks.

There’s a commotion and moments later Allegra walks into the living room.

“Hi.” She waves nervously as Natalia huffs and Luca nods. I’m the only one of the siblings to get up and hug her.

“It’s going to be okay,” I reassure her as I take my seat back down on the sofa.

“It’s so good to have all my children together again. You have been missing for far too long, Allegra,” our mother states as our father takes a seat.

“I know, Mamma, just there’s been a lot happening,” Allegra starts.

Mamma waves her comment away. “It can’t be more important than Luca and Lilly’s pregnancy or Giada breaking your brother’s heart.”

Allegra twists and turns her hands in her lap as he looks over at me for help.

“Actually, it is,” I say for her.

Our mother stops fussing and stares at me, then back to Allegra. “What is going on? We already have one scandal to contend with, we don’t need another.”

Allegra’s face falls, and in an instant, I see her deflate. “I can’t do this. I’m sorry,” she says as she gets up and rushes out of the room.

I’m disappointed in Mamma for not thinking about her words as I rush out after my sister.

“What did I say?” I hear Mamma question as I leave.

“Allegra, wait, please.”

When she turns around, there are tears streaming down her face, and she looks so broken. My heart breaks for her andnothing else matters more than comforting her. I reach out and pull her into my arms and hold her tightly as she breaks down. “It’s going to be okay,” I try to reassure her, but she just breaks instead.

“What’s going on? Your mother is fussing in there,” Papà asks as he walks out into the hallway. His face falls when he sees how distraught Allegra is. “My sweetheart, what happened?” he asks as he pulls her out of my arms into his. He gives me a concerned look over her shoulder as he hugs her tightly as she breaks again. “Whatever it is, we can work it out. I promise, my girl. I love you,” he says, kissing her head as she squeezes him tightly.

Moments later, Mamma walks out, grumbling about everyone disappearing, and as soon as she sees Allegra, she loses it. “My baby, what’s the matter? Who did this to you? Do I need to kill him?”

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