your family safe, and will handle Alessandro. I can make sure he never finds you.” His lips leaned closer to my ear. “Be mine for one night and I will give you your freedom.”
A shockwave ran through my body. Lorenzo had named a solution that would end my suffering, and he had done it with such simplicity as though it meant nothing to him. I remembered the incident with Mr. de Lucci and the punishment still carried out to this day. This was a trap. It had to have been. Even if it wasn't, too much was at stake for me to take the risk. I stepped away from Lorenzo. “You’re insane if you think I would trust you. You’re Alessandro's friend. Why would you go against him?”
“Let's just say I’m not made of stone. I can see you’re in a bad situation. As far as Alessandro is concerned...what he doesn't know, can't hurt him.”
“But if he does find out, he will kill you,” I pointed out.
“He most certainly will.” He grinned. “I guess I’ll have to make sure he doesn't find out, won't I?”
“Why take the risk?” I asked with obvious suspicion.
He arched his eyebrows. “Because I think you're worth it.”
I gazed at him, unable to say anything, and he took it as a sign to continue. “Alessandro is going on a business trip next week and he'll be gone for a few days. I will have the car ready for you at exactly 8 PM on the night when he leaves. The butler will be in on it as well. The car will take you straight to a hotel where I’ll be waiting. Once you fulfill your end of the bargain, I will immediately fulfill mine. Our paths are going to split that same evening and you’re going to be free to reclaim your life with your little sister.”
I parted my lips in surprise. “How do you know about May?”
“I know everything, Olivia,” he uncovered. “I know about your sister. I know about your parents and I know how you came to be Alessandro's wife.”
“He told you everything, didn't he?” I concluded.
“Yes, he did. And do you know why?” he asked, and I shook my head. “Because I’m the only one he trusts. If I don't get you out of here, Olivia, no one else will.”
“Lorenzo, I don't think that I—”
“You don't have to say anything now. The car will be waiting. If you don't show up, that will be answer enough,” he said calmly. “It's up to you. If you pass up on this chance, I won't approach you again.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “You’re trying to trick me.”
“You have my word I’m not trying to trick you, Olivia,” he assured me and looked straight into my eyes. “I'm a made man. My word can be trusted.”
I peered up at the salon and froze at the sight of Alessandro advancing toward us. I cast an uncertain glance at Lorenzo. There was no time to say anything because Alessandro stood beside us in a matter of seconds.
“Coming to your wife's rescue, Damiani?” Lorenzo joked, and acted normal as though we didn't just have a conversation that could get us both killed.
With a light smirk, Alessandro fixed his gaze on Lorenzo and nudged his head toward the salon. “Get out of here.”
Lorenzo shook his head and said something teasing in Italian before he disappeared and left us alone. His words still rang in my head. If I don't get you out of here, Olivia, no one else will. But I wasn't sure I could meet his demands. My mind insisted that one night in Lorenzo's arms was a small price to pay for my freedom, but my heart rejected the very thought of using my body as a means of payment. Think about what you would gain. Think about May.
“What are you thinking about, tesoro?” Alessandro's voice disrupted my thoughts.
“Nothing in particular,” I said meekly, unable to look at him.
“Are you sure?” he probed softly.
“I'm sure.”
“What did you talk about with Lorenzo?”
I lowered my gaze to the ground. “He talked to me about his girlfriend.”
“What did he say?” he asked with strange interest.
“That money can solve relationship problems,” I answered calmly.
“And did you agree with him?”
I shook my head, still staring at the ground.
“Do you think you can look at me when you talk to me, Olivia?”
Slowly, I raised my head and met his inquiring gaze. As he stared at me, my heart started beating in a frantic