The King (Gentlemen Rogues 2)

SAFFRON

Something was wrong with Lock.

He was off. I couldn't figure out what it was, but I didn't have time to worry about it at the moment.

When I approached the restaurant, Graciella was there at a massive table by the one of the windows.

She stood and smiled as I approached. "There you are."

“You weren't waiting too long, we're you?”

“No, not too long. You look fantastic."

I'd worn my set of pedal pushers and a cropped lightweight blouse and paired the outfit with flats, topping my vacation-chic vibe with my enormous shoulder bag.

The buckle on my shoulder bag had a mic in it and was already recording, which was handy.

Graciella said, "Thank you for joining me for breakfast this morning."

"Of course. How are you feeling?"

Graciella covered her face with her hands. “I'm really embarrassed about yesterday."

"Whatever you have going on, it's not really my business. As long as you're okay."

She sighed. “I'm fine. Sometimes we disagree."

"Well, that's normal. You guys will figure it out."

She nodded and pushed up her glasses. I could tell she was trying to hide her emotional tears and couldn't quite manage it. “It's just— It's so embarrassing. We were having such a lovely party, and he had to go and be Massimo. I hope he didn't make you too uncomfortable.”

"Again, you don't have to explain yourself to me. But he did make me very uncomfortable and really made Lachlan angry. I'm glad we have met, and I want to be your friend. If you need anything, just tell me."

“You're so sweet. This is why I feel even worse about what he made me do."

"What do you mean?"

She sighed. "Cornering you on the balcony, that wasn't okay. I'm so sorry. God, I don't even know why I stay. At first, it felt like I was being seen, you know? And it felt amazing. It was romantic at the beginning, and then it turns out he's actually very controlling and not very nice, and all that other bullshit."

"That's terrible. I'm sorry."

“It's all right. I made my bed. Now, I have to lie in it. And then there’s his family."

I leaned forward, trying to appear casual. "Not nice?"

"They're perfectly nice on the surface, but they're not kind. There's something off. Every time I turn around I feel like I’m being judged."

“I'm sure you have family, right? Someone you can talk to?"

“I came into this relationship with family and friends, and now it feels like I have no one. I'm the odd one out. I'm the one without anyone to love them and look after them. And it feels deliberate." She leaned close. "Once, I met his father, Antonio, and he sent such a chill down my spine. He wasn't cruel, or mean, or anything like that. It's just that look, completely vacant. Like he could easily have me killed or something."

"That sounds very discomforting. Did you tell Massimo about it?"

“Yeah, of course, I did. And of course, he brushed me off, saying I was being paranoid. I know it's my fault."

"Nothing is your fault. There's nothing to be ashamed of here."

“I don't know. I feel like there is. Like I’ve spent my whole life making poor decisions."