“It’s not real.”
The declaration echoed unnaturally through the room.
“What?” Her voice was a hoarse rasp.
“Our engagement isn’t real,” I repeated.
A mask of equal parts horror and relief slipped over her face. “Do you care to explain?”
“No.” I gnawed on my lower lip. “I don’t think it’s a good idea. Just know that I won’t do anything to hurt your son or your family. I’ll leave when he tells me I can, and I won’t cause any waves. I won’t tell anyone what happened or why. Ever.”
She pressed a hand to her chest, her face as white as a sheet of paper. “Oh my God. What did he do? Who else knows?”
Coming to my feet, I grabbed one of her hands. “No one, and I’d like to keep it that way. I don’t want something to happen to Gian because he helped me.” The words tasted like ash on my lips, and my stomach heaved. “I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to him. Carmela is my best friend, and Gian, means a lot to me too. I will do anything in my power to keep them safe. I promise. Okay?”
She nodded, her eyes glassy and her lower lip wobbling. “Thank you.”
“No. Thank you, for everything, but mostly for being the mother of two of my favorite people.”
She wrapped her arms around me, pulling me flush against her. “Let me know if you need anything.”
I swallowed. “Please don’t tell Gian I told you anything. He wanted me to keep it secret.”
“I won’t.” She stepped back, a slight frown on her face. “I’m glad I came here today and not only because you told me the truth. You’re a good person, Evangeline. I’m sorry I said those things to you.”
“Thanks.” My voice cracked.
She picked up the stack of magazines and tucked them under her arm. “Call me if you need anything. I can be a formidable opponent when necessary, and you have an ally in me.”
I didn’t doubt it.
She raised her eyebrows. “These men think they can handle the world and keep us in the dark all the time, but we’re far from the wilting flowers they think we are.”
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FIVE
Gian
I moved through the darkened hallway outside of my bedroom. It was well after two in the morning. The silent hum of the ceiling fan indicated Evie hadn’t waited up for me. With the exception of a text telling me she finished dancing at her studio, I hadn’t heard from her all day.
I paused at the foot of the bed, taking in her shadowed form. My gut twisted in knots every time I saw her. Something about her made it impossible for me to look anywhere other than at her when she was in the same room as me.
For five days, I hadn’t asked Evie a single question about her ex or that woman. And for five fucking days, I hadn’t heard another word from Nico or Dominick about it. I went to work. I made deals. I dodged Angela at every turn, which meant I needed to fire her ass soon because she couldn’t get it through her head that I didn’t want anything to do with her. When I ran out of distractions, I organized a high-stakes card game for this weekend. As pathetic as it sounded, nothing erased the lingering doubts about Evie and her ex.
“Hey,” she rasped, flipping onto her back, and my heart banged against my ribcage. “You’re home late.”
“Yeah.” I kicked off my black leather shoes. “Some things came up. I couldn’t get away.”
She switched on the lamp next to the bed, flooding the room with yellow light. “There’s leftovers in the fridge if you’re hungry.”
Choking on a laugh, I unbuttoned my suit jacket and tossed it on the top of the dresser. “You cooked?” My mom would have a heart attack if she found out how little Evie actually knew about cooking. She burned half of the things she tried to prepare, and the other half tasted like she opened a can and warmed it up in the microwave.
“No. I ordered takeout. I think I’m done pretending I can cook. I don’t think I’m fooling anyone.”
I unbuckled my belt and shoved my pants to the ground, her eyes tracking every movement. She flashed me my favorite smile—the one that felt as if it was custom-made for me—when she noticed I caught her gawking.
“No. You’re not, but my mom is dying to come over and give you a crash course.”
Her smile slipped. “I’ll pass. I don’t think that’s a good idea, considering…” she plucked at the edge of the sheet, “well, everything. I don’t want her to get invested in something that’s not permanent. It doesn’t seem right, especially with your dad so sick.”