All Chapters of The Billionaire's Sweet Revenge : Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

DARIOI sit in the shadows in the storage room of the bar. Beneath a naked lightbulb, a Romano soldier is tied to a chair, blood running from his nose and leaking from his scalp, dripping down his cheeks like tears. In my mind, I wonder what Elena would say if she could see me now. I know she’d hate it. I know she’d be disgusted. No civilian is ever prepared for what mafiosi life is really like.“Are you trying to tell us that the vandalism of the charity is completely unrelated to my meeting with your boss?” I ask.The man shudders, his lips trembling. “I don’t know nothing.”I sigh, gesturing at Allessio. He slaps the man across the face so hard that the chair falls to the floor. Paolo quickly rights it, and then Allessio hits him again.“Nobody is getting any enjoyment out of this. You’re well known to us as a lead soldier in this area. You’re wasting our time by keeping your mouth shut. It’s just going to cause you more pain.”Again, I feel Elena watching me in the back of my head

ELENA“How do I look?” I ask Dario, unable to hide the smile on my face.When the hair and makeup crew—yep,crew—were doing their work on me, I tried to stay detached and above the whole thing. I tried telling myself I felt like a pig dressed for the market. Yet the more they worked, the more I could see myself as beautiful. That’s rare for me.Now, I stand in front of Dario in a stylish, form-fitting dress. They’ve made my cheeks even more flushed than they usually are. My hair is up in an intricate style with pins.Dario stands on the other side of my bedroom in a tuxedo, his freshly shaven jaw tight as he stares at me. “Good,” he says.I try not to show any disappointment. He’s gone from fiery hot to icy cold all over again. I’m not sure what I expected, butgoodfeels majorly underwhelming. I nod, keeping it all business. “Good enough for the party?”“You’ll fit in,” he says, offering his arm. “Shall we? The car’s waiting.”When I take his arm, I’m sure I can sense something in him.

DARIOI’m relieved when Father announces he wants to leave early, affording every Moretti the chance to exit if he wishes. The dinner was filled with awkward conversations about opera, books, and other things I don’t care about. It’s not that I’ve got anything against it. I’m sick of everybody trying to seem clever.I offer Elena my arm as we get ready to leave. When she takes it, I remind myself for the millionth time that I have to be cold, but there’s too much warmth sparking between us. It’s like she’s waking something long forgotten inside me.“Can I use the ladies’ room before we go?” she asks.I think about the Romanos, the threats, the vandalism. What if something happens to her in there? She smiles at me as she places her hand on my chest—all part of the act. “Don’t worry. I’d never dream of running from my dear, devoted lover.”I grab her hips; I’m conscious people are watching us while pretending not to be. To sell this game, I’ve got to be convincing. The entire city has b

ELENAI almost feel like a politician or a celebrity as the chauffeur drives me through the city. One car drives slightly ahead of us, filled with three Mafia men, and there’s another one behind us. Dario wasn’t kidding when he said he was beefing up security.Last night, after arriving at the townhouse, Dario disappeared and left me alone for the evening to wonder if what we shared was real. My body was still hot after what we did. I never expected him to pounce on me like that, but when he did, my body blazed beneath his touch. It was the most intense, intimate thing I’ve ever experienced. That’s not saying much, sure, but still.Arriving at Aunt Rosa’s apartment—jeez, nope,myapartment—I climb from the car and walk across the street. My hair is back to its normal not-really-a-style, and I’m wearing my own clothes. A teensy-weensy part of me might miss the outfit I wore yesterday, but I can’t let myself fall in love with this Mafia life. Maybe that’s why I’m here—to remind myself why

I stand silently, not wanting to wake her, and join Giulia in the living room. “She had a nightmare followed by a panic attack. She was saying some weird stuff about the fire, as well as Mom, Dad, and Stevey. She said this illness was her punishment for what happened, and the fire wasn’t an accident.”Giulia touches my shoulder, looking at me with evident emotion. “She doesn’t know what she’s saying. Try not to overthink it.”“You’re right,” I murmur. “It’s just so weird. She’s never said anything like that before. She doesn’t even talk about Mom, really, not ever. I can’t even remember the last time she mentioned the fire. The cops and the fire department all said it was an accident.”“Hey …” Giulia takes both my shoulders in her hands. “This all sounds suspiciously like overthinking to me.”“You’re right. Shall I make us some coffee?”Without waiting for an answer, I walk into the kitchen and begin making it. I know what Giulia said is right. Aunt Rosa probably won’t even remember s