He hesitates with his hand on the door handle, looking at me over his shoulder. "Marzia, I'm sorry your parents had to die."
His words shock me and I stare at him, trying to see a trace that he's lying.
Bruno's face is open and honest. "Please understand spilling blood is not the way I choose to get things done. But what must be done, must be done. And I believe you'll forgive me."
"If you believe that, you're a fool," I seethe.
He offers me a sad smile, followed by a short nod. "I deserve that. I'll see you soon, Marzia." He exits, locking the door from the outside again.
I only notice then my hands have formed fists and my nails are digging into my palms painfully, reminding me this man is the enemy.
For a moment there, I almost forgot what he did. That he fucking killed my parents before my eyes, murdered them in cold blood. Bruno Bernardi is a fool if he truly believes I'll ever forgive him.
I notice he left behind a handkerchief with his initials, and when I pick it up from the coffee table, I realize it's speckled with blood.
No matter what lies Bernardi has fed me, I know there's something else going on, something not even Adrian is aware of. No healthy man would cough up so much blood.
Bruno Bernardi is sick.
And there's no fucking way in hell I'm going to help him. The bastard deserves to die for what he did to my family. All sins must be paid for in blood—and Bernardi is paying for his already.
19
Adrian
I need to get away from Marzia Da Costa. Being near her is making me fucking insane.
After we slept together, I snuck out of her bedroom in the early morning, knowing I wouldn't be able to resist her if I stay behind. Still, guilt threatens to consume me as I walk down the empty hallways of the Estate. I'm not only running from Marzia, I'm running from what we could be together, and it's fucking painful as hell to leave her behind.
Still, my father's words are playing in my head, reminding me Marzia isn't the one I'll end up with. I've already fucked up by not telling her about my bride-to-be, Nicoletta. I need to get my head fucking straight. I need to go to the Carlucci Villa again.
My driver loads up some of my luggage and I stare out of the window silently as we drive away from my father's estate. It feels fucking painful leaving her behind, as if I'm being separated from my own being. I grit my teeth together, my nails digging into the palms of my hands. I don't want to leave Marzia. I don't want Nicoletta. But I need to follow my father's wishes.
The car pulls up in front of the Carlucci home hours later. They aren't expecting me, and I have no idea whether they'll even let me in.
A flabbergasted maid leads me through the tacky, opulent house to Gustavo's office.
He calls for me to enter the room. "Bernardi!" He stands up, buttoning his jacket and regarding me with curiosity. "Couldn't stay away any longer, could you?"
"I... Yes, well." I avoid answering his question. I'm sure my father-in-law-to-be wouldn't appreciate knowing I'm running away from the girl I just fucked, months before my wedding with his daughter. "I hope it's okay I came."
"Okay? More than okay." Gustavo laughs heartily, rounding his desk to clap me on the back. "I take it you missed my daughter, then."
I can't even fucking come up with an answer. Instead, I manage a smile as he invites me to sit down at his desk. "How are things with my brother?" I ask. "Has he been watching out for Nicoletta?"
"Of course, he's taking his job very seriously." Gustavo nods. "Neither of us have anything to worry about while Ryder is here, I'm certain of that."
"Good. I won't be staying long, just a few nights."
"I'll have the maids prepare a room for you," Gustavo says. "You will see Nicoletta at dinner, of course, but I will also arrange some private time for the two of you together."
"Thanks."
He winks at me. "I know how much you two lovebirds must be craving some privacy."
I don't answer, knowing if I speak up, I'll betray my true feelings. I don't care about Nicoletta. All I care about is doing what father wants and staying away from Marzia while figuring out how to save her life and end up with