For Angelo(76)

“Graham.”

The attorney straightened, expecting the young tycoon to ask about the potential cost of damages or discuss potential strategies to mitigate the P.R. disaster he was unfortunately embroiled in—

“How long before the media discovers the connection between my uncle and…Jaike Christopoulos?”

Ah. Graham mentally nodded to himself. He should have known his employer would be most concerned about that. It was a well-known fact that Derek Christopoulos’ wife also happened to be Angelo Valencia’s former fiancée…and first great love.

“My staff is hard at work blocking all possible trails that could reveal Mrs. Christopoulos’ involvement, but…” He cleared his throat. “Secrets like this are near impossible to bury at this point, signor. I would say, we may have at least until tomorrow, but after that…” He trailed off, knowing he didn’t have to specify all the worst-case scenarios that could result.

A long time after his attorney had left, Angelo remained in his office, silent as he brooded on what his next move would be.

Finally, he made a call.

Lane picked up immediately. “H-hey. I was just about to call you and—”

She started to say something more, but he cut her off, saying grimly, “I need you to listen to me carefully, tesoro.”

Lane immediately quieted.

“Margarita has gone to the press, and anytime tonight news will come out about my uncle and his history as a sexual predator.”

Silence.

“There will also be revelations about my own…inclinations.”

He waited tensely for Lane to show her distress, waited her to ask what was happening or why, but when she finally spoke, Lane’s words were nothing he could ever expect.

“I’m sorry, Angelo.”

He could hear the truth in her shaken voice, knew that somehow she actually believed she was the cause for all of this.

“I wish I had known how to avoid her, and maybe—”

He grated out, “Stop.”

Love threatened to choke Angelo, and he had to struggle to breathe.

Lane had the right to accuse him of possibly ruining her life, but all she was thinking about, all she was worrying about—

Was him.

“There is nothing for you to apologize for, tesoro.” His voice was fierce. “Nothing. This is all my fault—”

“You’re not at fault—”

“It is,” he interrupted flatly, “if only for the fact that I was the one who chose to have something to do with her.” Sucking his breath, he continued tersely, “In any case, the damage has been done and all I can do now is to rectify what I can.”

Pause.

“You’re going to her, aren’t you?”

Lane’s jerky tone made his chest tighten, but he also knew that lying would only make it hurt worse. And so he said quietly, “Yes.”

Silence.

“As the head of the Valencia family, it is my duty to give our apologies – to beg her forgiveness for causing her life irreparable harm for the second time.” His grip tightened on the phone as he waited for her answer.

“I s-see.”

“I hope you do.” Pain made his voice sharp, but this pain was something he felt…for Lane. He didn’t want her hurt, didn’t want her to think that he was doing this because he still had feelings for another girl.

“Tell me you understand why I’m doing this,” he gritted out. “Tell me.”

“I do.” Unshed tears clogged her voice, and the sound tore his heart.

“I love you, Lane. I love you.”

“I know.”

He closed his eyes at the painfully beautiful sound of her words. He whispered harshly, “Say you love me, too.”

“I do. You know I do. You know I always will.”

His chest felt like bursting. He felt like he was abandoning her even though he knew it wasn’t like that. It would never be like that because he loved her, only her. But Dio, why did it suddenly feel impossible to say goodbye? Why did he have a suddenly ominous feeling that to utter the word would be like cursing himself to a life of loneliness?

“Say the exact words, tesoro.”

“I love you.” Her words were broken. “I love you, Angelo Valencia.”

He ended the call.

I love you.

I love you, Lane Petersen.

But he knew he didn’t deserve to say those words right now, not until he made things right.





****





Lane slowly lowered her phone to her lap. Everyone’s eyes were on hers, obliging her to speak.

She knew what they wanted her to say, what they wanted to hear.

Angelo was coming.

Angelo was going to make them feel that they had nothing to worry about.

Angelo was going to be here for her.