“Brothels, strip clubs, illegal gambling.” I shrug. “Shit like that.”
“Drugs?”
“No. That was the first thing I stopped.”
Our eyes are locked.
“Murder?” she whispers. “Do you kill people?”
I roll my eyes. “This isn’t the fucking Godfather, Olivia. In the past, yes, but not anymore. We run reputable businesses in seedy places. That’s it.”
“I’m just so confused by this all.”
I throw my hands up in the air. “That makes two of us.”
She steps forward. “Why do you think you’re going to die?”
“I don’t!” I snap. “I was fucking blind drunk. Why would you listen to anything I said?”
“Because for the first time since we’ve been together, last night, you were actually making sense.” She puts her hand on my chest. “I knew something was off. Too many things don’t add up, and I knew with the amount of security you have…” Her voice trails off.
I clench my jaw as I watch her. She deserves the truth, I know she’s going to leave me anyway. I may as well tell her.
“For centuries, the Ferrara family have run Italy. They’ve done some pretty fucking appalling things. I didn’t know anything about it. I still know nothing. My father’s staff are limping me through it all until I learn enough to completely take over.”
She frowns. “Why were you so upset yesterday? What happened to make you like that?”
I stare at the floor for a moment, disgusted by what’s come to light. “I found out my father had a comare for thirty years. It turns out everything he told me was a lie and… I didn’t know him at all.”
“Comare?” She frowns.
“Another woman. Another family. They had a son.”
Her face falls.
“Even my mother knew.”
She stares at me, horrified.
“My brothers and I were the only ones who didn’t. I’m humiliated.”
Her face falls as she stares at me. “Oh, baby.” She wraps her arms around me, and I close my eyes at the comfort, even if it will be short lived. I need to get on with it. I step back from her.
“I haven’t been gifted a normal life, Olivia. I’m sorry I dragged you into this. Your discretion would be greatly appreciated.”
“I’m not leaving you, Rico.”
I swallow the lump in my throat, unable to speak.
“I love you,” she whispers.
“You shouldn’t.”
“It’s too late.”
Emotion overwhelms me, and I blink as my vision blurs from the realization of her loyalty. “I don’t even know who I am anymore,” I whisper.
“You’re the man I love.” She kisses me softly. “Just be him.”