world on a silver platter.”
“I already told you,” I whispered. “I only need you.”
The kiss was sweet, a lover’s kiss. While the passion was ready to erupt, we both needed the comfort.
And the love.
When he pulled away, he exhaled, the sound exaggerated. “I refuse to have you in the middle of this. I think you need to stay here until this blows over. It’s obvious that an announcement of the wedding has been made, which is why the call came tonight. The threat just confirmed my belief that the Taglionis are also a pawn in this treacherous game. Get rid of the two powerful entities. I doubt Franco Taglioni has any intention of harming you.”
“There are too many questions with this. What else did this asshole say to you? I know there was more.”
“That the world will begin to know the truth about the sect tomorrow.”
I sucked in my breath. “The news. It’s going to be plastered all over the news.” The pieces weren’t coming together, at least in my mind. “I’m already a part of this and I’m not staying here. I will be by your side.”
“I have a feeling there won’t be a wedding. I’m afraid it will turn into a raid or worse.”
I rose onto my tiptoes, enabling me to look into his eyes. Suddenly the raging storm no longer terrified me. “Do you trust me?”
He lifted an eyebrow. “With my life.”
“Then I have an idea.” I whispered my thoughts, curious as to his reaction.
When he eased back, a smile had crossed his face. “You’re certain?”
“Without a doubt.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do.” He grinned, the shimmer in his eyes that of a little boy.
As I pressed my head against his chest, I could hear the hard hammering of his heart.
Secrets and lies...
Chapter Sixteen
Matteo
Betrayal.
I’d known that was a possibility for perhaps all my life. Who hadn’t been betrayed at some point in their lives? By a friend, a business colleague. The worst possible kind was by family. I didn’t want to believe that Christian had used the damning information for some kind of political gain. In truth, I’d yet to figure out what benefit it would give him, other than internally. Even then, the father was hated by the remaining Council members. What point would there be in having them believe I was cut from the same cloth as the father?
I had to know the truth from Christian’s mouth. What I knew for certain is that whoever was behind the recent threats had made good on the one from the night before.
The headlines that were splashed across every major newspaper on the East Coast were damning as fuck.
The Sacred Sect—Powerful Families or a Criminal Cult?
I hissed as I thought about the article. While there was no actual evidence, merely questions raised, it would add credence to the senator’s investigation as well as bring every law enforcement agency and the IRS to our doors. What hadn’t been mentioned was anything about my connection to Father McGivney. Perhaps the asshole was holding his ace of clubs for another round of revenge.
Whatever powerful play was going on had to stop now or every single family within the sect would be ruined. I’d gambled on making a phone call while still on the island, and I prayed to God I wasn’t going to regret it. Christian needed to be a part of it in order for my plan to work and at this point, there were too many questions, my gut churning.
I stood outside Christian’s front door, still conflicted about what I would say. It was certainly plausible that Father McGivney had mentioned my existence to someone else, but I had my doubts. He’d kept everything he’d done close to the vest while building what he hoped would be his empire. I doubted he would risk informing the rest of the Council, especially Nicolas Capodanno.
When Christian opened the door, he looked haggard. “I thought you might pay a visit. You’ve seen the news.”
“Yeah, but that’s not why I’m here.”
He narrowed his eyes before opening the door wider. “Come on in. We’ll go to my office. Stephanie is resting.”
“How is she?”
“The doctors are concerned about her high blood pressure.”
I could hear the fear in his voice, much like I would have if anything happened to Winter. “I’m very sorry. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.”
“You might find this hard to believe, brother, but if you have any belief in a God above, pray for her.” He walked me into his