Page 70 of Crimson Fate
“Am I not part of this family?” she asks, staring me in the eyes.
“No!” I exclaim. “Of course you are. I fucked up—you’re right. I should have trusted you from the beginning.”
“Tell me we’re okay, Vincent,” she pleads softly, her hand finding mine, warm and reassuring.
I squeeze her hand. “We’re okay. I promise.”
I don’t like lying to Gia, but I also must keep my secrets locked tight behind a facade of assurance. “Everything’s going to settle down soon, babe. You’ll see.”
She shakes her head. “I understand that the demands on your time are a lot. But am I supposed to be content with just... waiting for when you have a spare moment for me. I would at least like to know that I rank somewhere on your list of priorities.”
I reach out, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. I need to put her mind at ease. I just need a little more time for my plan to work. “Gia, you mean more to me than—”
“Then show me, Vincent!” she snaps. “Don’t shut me out.”
“I’m not, I promise.” I pull her closer, wrapping my arms around her. As her head rests against my chest, I let out a breath. For now, she believes in me, in us. But how long until my house of cards collapses?
“Will you be with me tonight?” she asks.
Her question catches me off guard, and even though it would reduce her suspicion if I were to fuck her, I can’t. I have never been faithful to a woman, and even though Eva and I are not exactly a couple, I want a future with her. But how can I say no to Gia without increasing her doubts?
I inhale deeply, gathering my thoughts before speaking. “Gia, I want nothing more than to be with you tonight,” I say, my voice filled with sincerity. “But there is something urgent that requires my immediate attention. I promise you, once this is taken care of, I will make it up to you in every way possible.”
Gia’s face falls with disappointment. “And let me guess, it’s something you can’t tell me.”
I shake my head. “I would if I could.”
Despite her expression otherwise, she nods in understanding. “Alright, I trust you.”
“I won’t forget this,” I assure her, gently kissing her forehead.
As I leave Gia’s place, I can’t help but feel guilty for the lies that have become an intricate web, entangling both Gia and Eva in their own ways. But with my back against the wall and threats lurking within the family, honesty seems like an impossible luxury.
“Per amore e per la famiglia,” I remind myself of the King family oath, a tether that pulls me onward. “For love and for the family.”
Marco waits in the car where I left him. I slide into the passenger seat beside him, rubbing my hand over my face.
“Everything good, boss?” Marco asks, concern etched into his features.
I give him a curt nod, trying to steady my racing thoughts. “Yeah, I think she bought it.”
Marco leans back, glancing at me through narrowed eyes. “You better be careful if Gia ever finds out—”
I cut him off with a sharp glare. “She won’t find out.”
“And if she does?” he asks, looking over at me before pulling away from the curb.
A surge of anger bubbles inside me at the thought of Gia discovering the truth. “If she finds out, we’ll deal with it. But until then, I need you to trust that I’m handling this situation.”
“Of course. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make it sound like I was questioning you,” Marco says.
I rub my temples, trying to ease the headache at the thought of Gia discovering my deception. “It’s fine. I know you’re looking out for me. We don’t have long to keep this charade up. After the dinner with the captains we can finally quit playing these fucking games.”
As the car speeds through the city streets, I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of unease. Gia’s trust is fragile, hanging by a thread, and Marco is right. One wrong move could shatter it completely.
Chapter Twenty-Six
The thick carpet does little to muffle the sound of my relentless pacing. Back and forth, back and forth, like a caged animal on the brink of madness. My hands are clenched into fists so tight my knuckles whiten, the only outward sign of the turmoil churning inside me. We all have been counting down to this day and now that Saturday is finally here, she is nowhere to be found. “Eva, where the fuck are you?” I mutter to myself.