“You should have called me months ago.”
“I thought it would stop. I thought maybe I could help him.”
“He doesn’t want help, Gianna. That’s something you need to remember.”
She smiles up at me sadly. “He’s my brother.”
The doorbell rings and Gianna pulls away. “I’ll go get the door.”
I close the laptop and stow away the paperwork before Gianna leads Liliana into the kitchen, both chatting excitedly.
“You’re here!” Liliana exclaims and launches herself into my arms, plants her lips on my cheek and clings to me.
It very nearly turns my stomach.
“I’m here,” I reply and pull her off of me and motion for her to sit at the table. “How are you, Liliana?”
“Oh, I’m great.” She smiles, and I can’t help but take her in, from head to toe. She’s in stylish, brightly colored clothes that fit her long, lithe body like a glove. She’s always been thin, almost too thin.
But her breasts are full and almost spill from her blouse.
She’s had them done.
Her lips are bright red, her skin pale and perfect. Her raven black hair spills around her shoulders in loose curls, and her blue eyes are bright as she watches me, her lips tipping up in a flirtatious smile.
“I’ve missed you, Dominic.”
I cock a brow. “Have you?”
“Very much.” She leans over and grips my hand in hers, but I slowly lean back, out of her reach.
I don’t want her touching me.
Gianna serves dinner, and the two of them chat happily, gossiping about mutual friends, giving me a chance to watch Liliana.
Was I ever really attracted to her? Of course I was, but the reasons why are a mystery to me. She obviously works very hard to make herself beautiful, and yet ironically, she’s incredibly unattractive.
Being a cheating bitch will do that, I suppose.
“Oh, Dom, do you remember that weekend trip we took to Rome? That last one when we got engaged?”
I physically flinch before I can stop myself. Of course I remember the weekend trip to Rome.
“What of it?”
“Well, I was just there a few weeks ago, and that little bed and breakfast that we stayed in is for sale. Of course, I so longed to buy it, purely for sentimental value.” She bats her eyes at me. “You should buy it.”
“Why in the hell would I do that?”
“Because it’s our special place, of course.”
Gianna frowns at Liliana, and then watches me warily. I set my fork down, lean on my elbows, and watch Liliana over the rim of my wine glass.
“What’s your game, Lil?”
“Game?” Her eyes go wide, innocently, and four years ago, I would have bought it hook, line and sinker. “There’s no game. That place is special to me. I would hate for someone to buy it and turn it into something horrible.”
“Gianna,” I begin and stand, gesturing for Liliana to take my hand, which she does without hesitation. “I’m going to take Liliana outside to talk privately.”
“Of course,” Gianna replies, and begins clearing the table. I try to pull my hand from Liliana’s, but she holds firm, smiling flirtatiously up at me, the way she used to do when she couldn’t wait to get me home and rock my world, as I lead her outside and around the side of the house on the wrap-around covered porch.
“Thank goodness we’re alone at last,” she purrs and glides her hands up my chest, leaning into me, tipping her head back in invitation. “I’m so happy that you’re home, mi amore.”
I back away from her touch and cross my hands over my chest. “I’m not your love, Liliana. I’m not anything to you.”
“That’s not true.”
I tilt my head to the side, watching her closely. “You fucked my cousin. The night before we were to get married.”
Her lip quivers and tears spring to her eyes, but I don’t for one minute believe they’re genuine.
Liliana is a master manipulator.
“It was only cold feet.”
“Or a cold heart,” I reply calmly.
“I wish you would just forgive me, Dominic. It was a moment of weakness. It meant nothing at all.”
I nod, considering her words. “Yes, Marco told me that you’d been fucking him for about three months. So, was that just a three month long moment of weakness then?”
Her eyes narrow and lips firm. “Did you come here to reconcile or not?”
“Not.” I drag my finger over my lips, considering her. “I came here because my cousin needed me.”
“Then why did you invite me to dinner?” She props her hands on her slender hips and glares at me.
“For a few reasons.” I rest my hip on the banister casually. “One, I’d like to know how much money you’ve talked Marco into giving you over the past six months.”