Scandal and the Runaway Bride (Heirs to an Empire 1)

He clamped his lips shut.

“I am going back to Italy. I’m going to be with my parents as my father prepares for surgery. And you’re going to help me do it.”

“You’re hardly in a position to make demands,” he shot back, shoving his hands in his pockets.

She took a moment to breathe, swallow and stand tall even though inside she was quivering. She lifted her chin and met his gaze. “I’m in a perfect position to make demands. Because if you don’t, I’m sure the press would be interested in a few details from the past week.”

Gabi hated the words immediately after saying them. Extortion wasn’t her style, and neither was deliberately hurting someone. But William had to believe she’d follow through. It was the only way to regain control of the situation. The only way to go home. That was all she really wanted to do now. Be with her family. Get back to her life and start rebuilding.

“You wouldn’t.”

“I don’t want to, but I would. I’ve played it your way and all it’s done is keep me closeted away and bored for a week.”

The green in his eyes dulled as he stared at her. “Gabriella.”

“You’re very displeased. You always call me Gabi.”

“I thought we were becoming friends.”

She huffed. “Don’t try that, Will. Friends don’t kiss like we just kissed. What am I to you? Forbidden fruit? You don’t want to betray your brother. I get that. Believe me, I understand family loyalty. And while running from my wedding does not demonstrate the best judgment, I’m really quite smart. It made sense for me to lie low for a few days. Now I need to start controlling the story instead of hiding from it.”

“I don’t like it.” He moved to a chair and sat down with a sigh. “When you control it, it means I don’t.”

“Ah, yes.” She smiled faintly and sat across from him. Now they were getting somewhere. “And you don’t trust me. I don’t blame you. I haven’t given you much reason to. Except that I’ve followed your every instruction all week.” She raised an eyebrow.

“You have,” he admitted.

“I promise that if you let me return to my family now, I will keep to the original story. I fell ill and recovered for a few days, then took some quiet time at the family château. I’ll frame it as you and I are friends, as we should be as future in-laws. I’ll even hint at the new wedding date. But I’m not going to stay hidden away like a princess in a tower.”

“I’m going with you.”

“That will only fuel the rumors.”

He ran a finger along his chin. “Too bad. That’s my condition.” He frowned, his brows pulling together. “In fact, what makes the most sense is for Step

hen to meet us there.”

Her head shot up in alarm. “Stephen? Whatever for?”

“Because you should be seen with your fiancé. And because if Aurora is going to make a deal with Baresi, he needs to be part of it.”

She sensed she was now losing the bit of control she’d had, but she had to be smart with this. “Not if. When. The deal with Baresi will happen, William, because if it doesn’t, I’ll tell all.” She hoped he couldn’t see the lie in her eyes. The truth would also hurt her family.

His fingers gripped the arms of the chair until his knuckles turned white. “You wouldn’t. You’re too...sweet.”

Her eyebrows shot up at his choice of words. “Sweet? I was going to enter into a loveless marriage as a business deal. Not sure how sweet that makes me.”

“But you didn’t go through with it.”

It was a fair point. She stood, folding her hands in front of her. “You’re protecting your family, and I’m protecting mine. Whatever was between us that night in the garden, and ten minutes ago in this room, can’t exist, can it? We both know it. So let’s focus on what’s important. Our families.”

She went to the bed and began folding clothes again, placing them in her suitcase. She certainly hoped that William couldn’t tell that her hands were shaking.

Because Gabriella Baresi was terrified. Terrified of what she’d felt only minutes ago, being held in his arms. And terrified that she’d have to make a decision to make good on her threat. In her heart she knew she never would. Never could. Stephen didn’t deserve that, and neither did William. Neither did her papa.

She only hoped William didn’t call her bluff. Because that would ruin everything.

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