Page 131 of Wicked Villain

“Is not who I want. I’m quite content with your daughter.” I make sure I ramp up the suggestion that I’ve taken my fair share of Gabrielle and I’m very content.

“You bastard.”

“Yeah, I am. Now get the fuck out, and don’t ever come back to my home.”

His miserable face contorts into something awful. Pure, pure evil. He gives a quick disapproving shake of his head, then walks out, limping.

It takes a while before he reaches the door.

Once he leaves, I make a fist and throw it into the wall beside me, smashing into it the way I wanted to fucking hit him.

How dare he try to bargain with me?

He really thought I’d say yes? And just hand over Gabrielle?

Corrado really laid it on thick, presenting the worried father and husband. And⁠—

Wait a minute.

I pause and stare at the window as truth dawns on me.

That was an act. Something to prey on my heart, conscience, or whatever the fuck he may think I have.

From what I know about Corrado D’Auria, he’s a liar and a fraud.

So, what was that about?

Or maybe the appropriate question is why?

He never wanted me to take Gabrielle in the first place. That speech he gave is the sort I’d expect after a few days or a week. I’ve had Gabrielle for over a month.

Why now?

I retrieve my phone and type out a message to Cassian, letting him know what happened and asking him to run some further checks on Corrado. Also to look out for anything in particular that may have happened in the last few days.

Something’s definitely happened. I can feel it in my bones.

Cassian calls me an hour later while I’m on my way to Chicago.

“You’re not going to like this, Lev,” is the first thing he says.

“Tell me.” My blood heats. Shit, I’m right. Something is up.

“Two nights ago, Gabrielle’s great aunt passed away. She was ninety, so I can’t say if that was by natural causes or something else. I’m leaning toward the something else lane because her will was changed a week ago to increase the inheritance she left Gabrielle.”

Fucking hell. “You’re shitting me.”

“I wish I were.”

“What’s the inheritance?”

“Gabrielle has inherited a controlling stake in Bianchi Resorts. Corrado has been appointed trustee. The latter happened two days before the aunt conveniently died.”

“That fucking bastard.”

“Yeah. And get this, the trust remains under Corrado’s management until she turns twenty-five. Obviously, we know the fucker must want to use her to secure another marriage alliance, or even renew what he had with the Bellandis.”

“Yeah. That’s right.”