Page 64 of My Sunfall

“Lucas said I should just ask you,” I add brightly. “I can call him and have him talk to you if you want.”

Luckily, he shakes his head. “No need. Let me get the keys for the Rolls.”

I almost fist pump in victory. Five minutes later, we are pulling out of the grounds, and I breathe easier. Half an hour later, I slide out of the door Roberto is holding and step between the graves to my family plot resting under a red maple. I stop in front of the fresh grave. The smooth marble is gleaming under the morning sun.

“Papà.” I breathe, throat tight. Are there even words to express my whirling thoughts?

I settle for the simpler choice. “I miss you…the old you. The father who held me and rocked me on his knees to make me laugh. I-I’m sorry for the last words we had. I’m sorry for not saying goodbye…for not telling you I love you.” My eyes are stinging as I try to make out the other grave through my tears.

“You are with Mamma now. I hope that both of you are at peace.”

I stand for what feels like an eternity in silence, letting the wind gradually dry my tears, the sun seeping through the foliage warms my chilled soul, and the silence encompasses me like a veil.

When I straighten my shoulders and prepare to leave, a voice calls my name.

“Miss Bianchi. Chiara.”

I swivel around, heart sinking and pulse hammering, to face Lorenzo Vitale. I realize only now how alone I am in this remote cemetery. There is no one around, Roberto had stayed at the car to give me privacy.

“It’s Mrs. Romano now,” I reply coolly, trying to ignore the chill running down my spine at the dangerous glint crossing his eyes.

“Come on.” He huffs, with a dismissive gesture. “We both know this marriage is a farce.”

I don’t reply but cram my hands into my coat pockets to hide the shaking.

“The reasons why Romano married you might not be clear,” he muses without waiting for my reply, and steps closer to stand in front of me. “Probably some sense of duty.”

Duty. I flinch and his smile becomes predatory.

“Whatever he offered you, it’s nothing compared to what I can offer you, Chiara. Think about it.”

I remain silent, forcing my face to remain expressionless.

He leans in with familiarity, crowding my space. “I’m the king of an empire. I have it all, power, wealth, influence. You could have it too, as my queen. Here, you are nothing, a wife someone married out of duty. He might be acting like the doting husband now, but we both know that Romano will soon tire, and go back to his old ways of debauchery and indulgence. What is the saying again? A leopard never changes its spots?”

All my blood drains from my face. He knows my darkest fears, and he is mercilessly tearing me apart with a vision of a future I am dreading. I shake my head.

“I, however”—he takes a step forward and drops his voice to a low murmur, seductive like a siren’s song—“I would value you as the queen you are meant to be. Your mother wanted this for you because she wanted the best for her beloved daughter.”

“You were born for this, Chiara. You’ll claim your place as a rightful queen. Anything else is beneath you,” Mother whispers from beyond the grave. New tears begin to gather in my eyes and my breath comes out in short gulps as the edge of my soul begins to crumble.

Lorenzo lifts his hand to wipe away my tears, and I am too stunned to move away.

“I-it doesn’t matter anymore.” My voice is small, and I clear my throat. “The truth is that I am married, and I—”

“Move away from her!” a voice bellows from the path leading to us. My whole body goes rigid.

Shit… Lucas.

A second later, I am ripped away and plastered to his side with his arm banded around me, while his other hand is holding a gun to Lorenzo’s head.

“I warned you to stay away from her,” Lucas snarls, chest heaving and eyes feral.

For a beat I am convinced that he’ll shoot the other man.

But then Damiano steps into view and puts his hand on Lucas’ outstretched arm. “Lower the gun, Luc. This is not the place.”

The ensuing silence is deafening, only disrupted by the loud whooshing of the blood pounding in my ears. Lucas doesn’t budge, he seems not to have heard Damiano’s low command.