Page 13 of The Billionaire's Destiny

Rocco’s expression was even. “Yeah. Tell me what you think he has.”

“He has copies of Luca’s emails asking to buy me—”

“That was a sting operation with the feds. Let him try that one; he’ll be a social pariah. Anything more?”

I hunched my shoulders. “My…mother’s prostitution.” The pain of not seeing it coming still cut deep. Would Mama have left with me if I had? She was like ice under the sun’s heat, so easy to break.

He reached under my chin and lifted. “No, Bella. He should be ashamed. You hold your head up high. He forced your mother against her will; that’s illegal trafficking.”

My heart warmed at hearing how much empathy he had for my mother, and I went on to discuss something we both knew about me but had never discussed in detail before. “On that day you and your grandpa met me, he beat my mother. He tried to sexually assault her in the motel, and he told me I was next. I hit him with a chair at first to stop him, but I-I wanted him dead. Mama had to pull me away. It was so violent. The police have photos of me that night with blood on me, but my grandparents covered everything up. I think he has copies of the photos.”

“God, Adelina. I had no idea you’d experienced such trauma.”

“I was so scared. So…desperate,” I whispered.

“You were brave.”

“I couldn’t see it that way at the time, but I agree now.”

“He won’t get away with his attempts at blackmail, Bella. We’ll handle it. Don’t worry.” He took my hand and rubbed theback with his thumb. “I remember that night at the lake. You were so tiny. I wanted to pick you up and take you away.”

“You offered me money…”

“I thought maybe you’d get a hotel and eat until I figured out something.” He pushed his hand through his hair. “Sounds dumb now.”

“It was dumb then. I was only fourteen,” I teased, a smile tugging at my lips. Somehow, he always made the impossible seem within reach.

“Come here,” he said and tugged me closer, placing his arm around me. “No more hiding. I don’t care what the public thinks. Let him bring it all out.”

I tilted my head toward him and scrunched up my face. “It’s not that simple.”

His jaw ticked. “It is. We simply refuse to be blackmailed.”

“But can our families handle a big scandal? With everything going on with the will, your movie studio, and Luca’s legacy, it’s too much heat—”

“I don’t give a damn,” he said simply and shrugged.

I frowned. “You should care. It’s your name, your life. Let me handle the fallout. I’ll take the bad press.”

He clasped my hand. “The press doesn’t work like that. Besides, you’re not alone. You’re my wife, and I love you.”

I peered at him. “Everything’s fine because you love me?”

He smiled. “Yes, it is. Our lives are complicated; we both knew that wouldn’t change. But what has is that I love you, and I want you safe. I saw you, so terrified and crying, and I wasn’t there.” His voice grated with anguish, and my heart rose to my throat. I snuggled into him, and he hugged me tighter as he spoke. “The only way to handle a bully is to be willing to go further than they do. Who cares what people think? We give him nothing. All right?”

I blew out a sigh. “Fine, but let me call my family first.”

“The crisis team and my lawyers are already in motion. This bell can’t be unrung.” Rocco’s meaning was clear: nothing would stop him now.

“Please? They deserve a heads-up. It’s only right.”

He rubbed his chin. “To be honest, it’s too late. Once I’m upset, I plow ahead.”

I grinned. “You let your passion take the wheel.”

“My passion for you, Bella,” he said with a tenderness that swelled my heart.

I smiled and nodded. “Okay, I’ll tell them we’re not backing down.”