Page 138 of Stalking Ginevra

I can’t finish. The words evaporate like the steam rolling off the cheese, as my excuses have more holes than the bread. Benito’s expression doesn’t change, even though I swear something flickers in his eyes. It’s so dark and wounded, it might be a projection of my own heart.

He bows his head, his posture sagging. With a sigh, he picks up the manilla envelope.

“I’ll annul the marriage,” he says, the words sounding like a death sentence.

Without elaborating, he turns toward the door, making my heart lurch.

Panic surges through my chest. I scramble off the dining chair so fast that it falls to the marble floor with a thud. I chase after him on bare feet and grab his arm. “Wait! Where are you going?”

He turns back to me, his eyes like ice. “To file a petition with the court.”

The words land harder than any blow. My heart falters. My blood runs cold. No. This can’t be happening. Benito and I are forever. I tighten my grip on his bicep, forcing him to stay.

“What about the loan sharks?” I ask, my voice breaking. “And you promised to protect me from Brisket.”

Benito stares down at me with hardened eyes, his gaze incredulous. “It sounded like you enjoyed his attention.”

I flinch, his words cutting deep. My mouth opens, but I produce no sound. I can’t argue because it’s all true. I couldn’t resist Bob Brisket. The man has a way of taking control until I don’t know what I’m doing is wrong until it’s too late.

“Benito, I don’t want him. He’s a psychopath. He’s evil. I wouldn’t…” I stumble over my words, my mind scrambling for something—anything—to convince him not to cut me loose.

His eyes narrow. “Why would I believe the word of a woman who couldn’t wait to run into another man’s arms the moment I turned my back?”

The accusation hangs in the air like a knife poised to strike.

After an agonizing pause, Benito breaks the silence. “I won’t demand the money back from the sharks. That would leave you and your mother vulnerable. But you’re free to go. Be with Brisket if that’s what you want.”

His rejection punches through my ribcage and snatches my heart, squeezing tight until it bleeds. Before I can stop myself, tears spill down my cheeks and land on my kimono. I drop to my knees, clutching at his pants.

“But I don’t want him!” I say, my voice breaking. “Please, don’t throw me away like this. I’ll do anything.”

Benito stares down at me, his face expressionless, but I can feel the tension in his thighs. This is no different from the time I saw him with Professor Cortese outside the Phoenix. Back then, I felt like a beggar. Now, I’m pleading for a second chance.

He snatches his gaze away from mine, as though he can’t stand to look in my direction.

“Don’t leave,” I rasp.

“How can I keep you around when you can't stop fucking other men?” His voice is sharp, biting, each word slicing into my chest like scalpels.

I shake my head from side to side, my vision blurring with tears. “I’ll never do it again. I’ll be good, I swear on my life. Just give me another chance, please!”

He sucks in a sharp breath, and I take my chance. I reach for his fly, my fingers trembling as I fumble with the zipper, offering him the only thing I have left. “I’ll give you anything—anything you want.”

Grabbing my wrists, Benito crouches down, his scandalized face inches from mine. “Are you serious?”

“Yes!” I sob, my chest heaving. “I’ll do anything.”

His eyes darken, his grip tightening around my wrists. “I want fidelity. No more secrets. No more lies. No more disobedience. No more leaving.”

Nodding, I choke on my sobs. “I swear it. I’ll do everything you say. I’ll never leave again.”

But his gaze sharpens, and if anything, the intensity of his stare grows colder, more calculating. He lets the silence linger, stretching the tension between us until it feels unbearable.

“You will tell me everything about your relationship with Samson Capello... and all the others.”

A lump lodges in my throat. “Alright.”

“And I want the family you promised me when we were younger,” he says, his voice dangerously low.

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