Page 46 of Burning Caine

“So, you want me to continue lying to her?” The fire was building in my belly. “And not only that, spy on her investigation, telling her more lies.”

Sofia put a hand on my arm.

“Yes, Antonio. This is important for our business, for our family. And Sofia—”

“Yes?”

“I already told Antonio. Not a word to your mother. I can’t imagine the fury if she found someone had forged a duplicate of her anniversary gift.”

“Alright, Papa.” Sofia hung up and leaned next to me. “What do you think?”

“I was hoping to tell her the truth today.” I stared at the silent phone. I slammed a fist on the desk, startling Sofia. “Cazzo!”

She put the hand on my arm again, but I jerked it away.

“Give me a moment alone. I need to figure something out.”

She stood from the desk and headed for the door. “There are other women in the world, little brother. Women who intend to stay in Brenton, who don’t turn you down, and who aren’t at restaurants with other men.”

I checked my watch, avoiding her glare. Samantha would be wondering why I hadn’t called her yet. “It’s not just that, Sofia. It’s the lies. I could have explained away not telling her on Friday, and we would have been done with the deception. She would have her truth, and maybe I—”

Sofia paused at the door. “You know Papa is right.”

I nodded, the pit in my stomach widening. “I know. She’s too clever to accept a simple explanation.”

Sofia left and closed the door behind her. She was right. How could a woman who moved around too much for children ever be right for me? I could change her mind about dating, but the rest? I added to the drawing of the flowers. And then there were the lies and the deception. What could I do? Tell her the truth anyway and deal with the consequences? There was something else going on Papa wouldn’t speak about on the phone. It was bigger than this moment, bigger than my conscience.

Perhaps the police would find evidence of something sinister at the house. Arson, perhaps. If they concluded that, the claim might be denied and the authenticity of the painting would no longer matter.

The phone rang, and I startled. It was her.

A deep breath to calm myself, and I answered. “Samantha, it’s good to hear from you.”

“Oh, Antonio, hello!” She sounded as though she hadn’t known who she was calling. Her voice calmed my nerves, as I smiled at the stilted words. “Sorry, I—you said you’d call and—I hadn’t heard from you—”

“Do you have time to bring it by now?”

“Yeah, Lucy and I are at the office between appointments. We can be there in about ten minutes? If that’s alright?”

Smoothing my loose tie, the smile crept further up my face. She was still nervous and excited to see me. This was good news, despite the fiasco Saturday night and the instructions from my father.

“Thanks so much for fitting it in. I know you’re busy.”

“Never too busy for you.” Too forward?

“Oh, um, okay?”

No matter. I would be forward. “I anxiously await your arrival.”

I hung up, rubbing a thumb across my lips. This would be a dangerous game. For my family, our business, for my heart.

Chapter 18

Samantha

Isatstillfora moment with the phone at my ear before sliding it onto my desk. Lucy, Hailey, and Mike were all staring at me. I didn’t have to turn around to confirm it.

Hailey was the first. “Well, I guess we finally know what Super Caine’s weakness is.”