Page 108 of Ruthless Sinner
Hearing him say those simple words meant everything to me, but I knew in my heart that the end of us is nigh.
I’m sure he knew that, too, but was just telling me what he thought I needed to hear to make me feel better at that moment.
I guess this is what happens at the end of your carpe diem spree. You burn out and even a fairytale has to come to an end.
But sometimes it’s not a happily ever after.
Romeo and Juliet never got that.
Doesn’t look like I’ll be getting it either.
Everything changes from here onwards starting with Saturday when I’ll have to face the music when it comes to Matthew.
I’ll have a little break from Sunday to Thursday because Jean-Rene will be taking the interns to new York for an exhibition, then I’m back in hell from Friday for Natalie and Lawrence’s actual engagement party. I’m sure I’ll be roped into doing all sorts of shit I don’t want to do. Then I suppose I’ll be next to walk down the aisle.
At least the warm contentment of being with Dante still lives in my heart, keeping me going and hoping. I don’t know what I’m hoping for but I’m hoping.
I’m about to head into the kitchen to make myself some coffee but a knock on the door stops me.
At this hour there’s definitely no one I’m expecting. But maybe it’s Dante?
Maybe I forgot something in his car and he’s just dropping it off.
Or maybe he’s already missing me too.
At that thought, I smile and don’t waste another second thinking. I rush to the door and don’t even bother to look through the peephole like I usually do.
When I yank the door open and find myself face to face with Matthew my joy tumbles down the cliff and I wish like hell I’d looked through the peephole first. Now the option of pretending I’m not here has gone out the window. But in all honestly I might have decided against doing that because I’m curious to know why he’s here.
I’m not supposed to see him until Saturday when we’ll be meeting with our fathers.
With the exception of two lunch dates, we haven’t seen each other. He hasn't complained, obviously because of his lack of interest in me and he has his ever growing list of bed friends he can rely on.
Why the hell is he here now?
He greets my brazened face, gives me an uncanny smile and walks right in like he owns the place.
“Is there something you want?” I don’t hesitate to show how appalled I am by his rudeness.
“There are many things I want Serenity Bell. Unfortunately you hold the key to a few of them. Close the door.”
I set my hands on my hips. “You’re not supposed to be here, so the door stays open.”
“Sweetheart, your guard is just down the hall. I don’t think you want him to hear me talking about you and your secret mafia lover.”
His words hit me like a sledgehammer and my blood drains.
Oh God…he knows.
Matthew knows about Dante and me.
His smile widens. “Thought that might get your attention. Now close the damn door.”
Feeling defeated I allow the door to swing shut and walk over to the books shelf so I’m standing opposite him.
“What do you want?” I try to imbue my voice with confidence but it doesn’t work. The thought that he knows my secret has left my head feeling like it’s going to fall off.
“To secure my legacy, so there’s no way I’m going to have you running around town with mafia filth attracting all kinds of shit that will screw with what I get by marrying you.”