Inhaling a huge chunk of fresh air, I gazed into the distance with the longing of a bird trapped in a cage. Suddenly, light footfalls sounded close by and I sensed someone behind me. I knew who it was before I even glanced behind my shoulder. There was only one man who never failed to exchange a few words with me at these macabre events.
“I hope you’re not thinking about jumping.” Lorenzo Moretti's voice held a hint of levity.
I shifted toward him, and kept an indifferent expression on my face. “Why would I do that?” I breathed.
“I don't know,” he said quietly, hands in his pockets as he took the last few steps to reach my side. “You tell me.”
I twisted my lips into a charming smile. “Don't worry. I don't have a reason to commit suicide.”
He smirked and gazed at me for a few moments. “You don't have to pretend in front of me, Olivia. I know the truth about your marriage, and I know you have no one to talk to.”
I swallowed and shot him a glare. “My marriage is none of your business.”
Lorenzo ignored my comment and continued talking about it. “Alessandro is a merciless capo,” he observed in a matter-of-fact tone. “It's not difficult to see you don't have it easy with him.”
“I don't know why you’re talking to me like this,” I retorted harshly.
“Come, you can tell me.” Lorenzo was relentless. “Your secret is safe with me. Has he hurt you?”
Tears constricted my throat, and I shook my head.
“Then why are you at the verge of crying, Olivia?”
“I'm not,” I choked out, and forced the tears back.
He simply observed me while I fought to stay icy cold in his presence.
“You’re a very strong woman and I do admire your resolve to pretend everything is all right,” he muttered. “Not everyone could cope with it with so much grace like you do.”
“Please, stop…” I resorted to pleading with him because I couldn’t hold on for much longer. The last thing I needed was bursting into tears at Alessandro's fancy party. He would go ballistic.
“But you don't always need to be strong, Olivia,” Lorenzo whispered. “Sometimes, it's okay to be weak and to just let it all out.”
“Lorenzo!” I bit out because I'd had enough.
“You know…you don't have to live like this,” he taunted. “There is a way out.”
I glanced behind my shoulder and met Alessandro's scrutinizing gaze. He watched us like a hawk. I quickly turned toward Lorenzo. “Keep your voice down. He will hear you and then we're both dead,” I warned in a whisper.
Lorenzo burst out laughing. “Leave it to Alessandro to fuck things up. You’re terrified of him, aren't you, Olivia?”
“Not more than your girlfriend is terrified of you, Lorenzo,” I retorted, reminding him he crossed the line on both sides. “Does she know you’re flirting with other women?”
He snickered. “Even if she did, she wouldn't care. Not everyone is burdened with your morals, Olivia. Cash is a wonderful mediator when it comes to mending any damage in a relationship. Too bad for Alessandro it doesn't work to his advantage,” he said mockingly. “Now, where were we...ah, yes, we were talking about a way out.”
I gave him a sarcastic glare. “There is no way out.” My voice was sprinkled with bitterness. “You of all people should know that.”
He shrugged. “You can always escape...become invisible.”
I shook my head, tired of pretending. “He will hurt my family if I go against him. I can't take that risk.”
“Yes, you can,”—he assured me—“but for a price.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean I’m willing to help you, but I’ll want something in exchange for my interference,” he explained.
“Why would you help me?” I asked in utter disbelief.
“You didn't catch only Alessandro's eye in that restaurant.” He gazed deep into my eyes. “But while he wants to claim your entire life, all I ask is one night in exchange for infinite protection.”
“Don't be disgusting!” I scolded in an instinctive reaction, shocked by his proposal.
There wasn’t a trace of shame or regret in Lorenzo's expression. On the contrary, he looked amused. “Why am I disgusting?” he asked, with a wide grin. “Since when was it a crime for a man to admit he wants a woman? Lust makes the world go round, Olivia.”
“I’m married,” I reminded him.
“But you don't want to be.” His eyes held mine and I was speechless. “This is what I'm offering...I will help you escape. I will keep both you and