All Chapters of The Billionaire's Sweet Revenge : Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

“That seems random, Mother,” I mutter, wondering if she’s trying to trip Elena up already.She rolls her eyes at me. “We have to startsomewhere, don’t we?”Elena’s cheeks flush, her lips parting slightly. It’s clear she’s never heard of the classic Italian film, which is surprising considering she’s an actress. Then again, maybe her tastes are more recent than nineteen-sixty.“I think they’re way better than Dolce & Gabbana,” she says.I force out a laugh, pretending it’s a joke. Elena might not be as prepared as I’d like, but she’s quick to react and follow my lead, laughing with me. “I told you she was funny, Mother,” I say.“Hmm,” Mother says, with that searching expression on her face.I usually feel stifled at these sorts of dinners, with both of my parents watching me for any sign of boredom or impatience with Family customs. This evening is even worse. For a few moments, when walking down the hallway with Elena, it was like I wasn’t part of the Family at all. It felt, for the b

ELENAWe have brunch on the back porch. The grated fires are lit since autumn is coming in. My eyes ache from spending hours last night scouring the internet. I searched “how to seem upper class” and “Italian classic films, paintings, books.” I’m doing my best to absorb as much information as possible. I need to sell Elena Esposito.Platters sit on the table: assorted meats, cheeses, marinated vegetables. Mr. Moretti Senior, Salvatore, couldn’t make it. That’s a relief because he stared me down yesterday like he could see right through me. Mrs. Moretti, Maria, watches me, too, but not withas muchjudgment.She’s an elegant woman, her cheekbones sharper than mine will ever be, and she’s wearing an elegant dress that is undoubtedly expensive but not tacky. Her hair is a graceful silver. Dario sits opposite me in a sleek suit, his expression difficult to read—no near-smiles this morning.“How did you sleep in this new environment?” Maria asks.“Excellently,” I say. “The bed was ever so co

“Nervous?” He drops his hand under the table, probably because it’s the only way he can stop the tapping. “I see why you brought me back here now. You didn’t want to disrespect me in front of my men. How courteous of you.”“Whereas you are content with disrespecting the Morettis in front of the entire city.”He narrows his analyzing eyes. “Am I missing something?”“Have you ever heard of Paths of Promise Foundation?”He swallows. “That’s your pet project, isn’t it? Your charity? It’s a great thing, Dario. Helping underprivileged youth to find a way out of the ghettos and the crack houses, helping them get away from the abuse they’re suffering. Of course, I’ve heard of it. It’s one hell of a thing.”I lean forward, leaning my elbows on the table and glaring at him. Anger pumps through me, reminding me of who I am. I’m not the man having flirtatious banter with a young actress. I’m this—the man who makes people cringe away and inspires fear. It’s all I’ll ever be.“Do I look like a fuck

DARIO“Ididn’t hit him,” I growl down the phone at my father. “I just reminded him of who’s in charge. What did you want me to do, allow him to abuse our charity?”“I’d rather we didn’t have weak points like charitable endeavors anyway,” he grumbles.“The public relations benefits outweigh incidents like these. It’s not as if this sort of thing happens often.”“No,” he sighs, “but the last thing we need while I’m busy with this deal is a feud with the Romanos. I didn’t spend half my life building up this Family just to have it fall apart because of some girl.”“She’s my fiancée,” I snap, “and I never said it was about her.”“You’ve never once become physical during an official meet. You use your fists and metal when you have to, but I’ve never known you to put your hands on a man during a business meeting. Now, here we are, and what’s changed? Do you imagine I was born yesterday? She affects you, and it wouldn’t be unfair to say it’s in a bad way.”“I don’t tell you how to manage your

ELENAThe following day, I wake with a surreal feeling, waiting for the springy mattress to dig into my side like every day. It’s become a routine, waking to a painful reminder of our poverty. Then, I sink deeper into the thick, luxurious bed. The silk sheets caress my skin. For long moments, I let myself savor it. Then, my conscious mind kicks in, and I remember what this is all about.Yesterday, after the standoff with Aunt Rosa, Dario was distant during the car ride home. We barely exchanged any words at all except small talk. Back at the apartment, it was like I could feel a tension in the atmosphere between us, the potential for something significant. Somethingspecial, even. Not that it matters; it’s not what I’m here for. I need to be careful with that sort of thinking.Clara knocks on my door. “Excuse me, Miss. Mrs. Moretti would like to speak with you.”I sit up, rubbing sleep from my eyes. “When will she get here?”“She’s already here.”I quickly shower in the en suite, tryin