My chest clenched in agony. Luca’s father was innocent. He shouldn’t have to pay when his only crime was having sex with me.
After taking his lighter out of his pocket, Father lit the photo on fire. As it crumbled into ash, I felt like I was looking at a symbol of my life.
Father waved a hand at me, “Now go home and get ready to convince your husband to give up on the deal.”
As soon as he stormed out the door, I sank down in my chair and beganto cry.
***
When Leo arrived home, his eyes lit up at the sight of his favorite meal. “Man, you don’t know how much I needed this.”
“I had a feeling.”
He kissed me tenderly. “How was your day?”
With a shrug, I replied, “The same. Just working on orders for the gallery.”
“That’s amazing how far it’s come in such a short amount of time.”
“I know.”
After sitting down, we started fixing our plates. I chewed my lip nervously. I didn’t even begin to know how to approach what I had to say. But then Leo gave me an opening.
“Are you okay?” he asked, concern etched across his face.
“No. Actually, I’m not.”
He reached for my hand. “What’s wrong?”
I’d decided to ignore Father’s advice. I’d already lied to Leo too many times. “I need to tell you something, but I can’t explain how I know.”
Leo creased his brows in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
“I need you to give up the casino.”
Leo’s neck jerked back in surprise. “You can’t be serious.”
“I am. This bidding war for the property has caused someone to threaten me.”
“What? How?”
I shook my head. “I can’t tell you.”
“Dammit Drea, if someone is threatening you or the baby, you have to tell me.”
“They aren’t. It’s more the family in general.”
“Did they send a note or an email?”
“A note.” That was a slight exaggeration of the truth.
“Where is it?”
“My father destroyed it.” It wasn’t a total lie. Father had burned the picture in front of me.
“They sent it to Edoardo?”
“Yes.”