Page 47 of Of Oaths and Secrets

The thought stings. Jealousy hits me so hard it steals my breath.

“But,” Paolo continues, “I think she felt something—a connection. You told me you talked about books before she picked you.”

“We did, but it was trivial—just Leo making a fool of himself.”

“But you intervened. I think, deep down, you wanted her to choose you.”

I open my mouth to argue, but the words don’t come. I can’t deny it. Ididwant that. God help me, I did.

“She’s just as lost as you are,” Paolo says. “She’s lived a sheltered life—whether by choice or not, I can’t say.”

“It was by choice,” I say with certainty. “She’s different. Unassuming but interesting, curious and smart.” I lean back in my chair, feeling the reality of my own words. “I could talk about anything with her. She’s curious by nature, and her mind is… endless.” My voice softens. “Did you know she can bake? And really well. She’s kind too. Knows all the staff by name and helps them with things. Rizzo’s granddaughter turned twelve, and he panicked because he forgot. Nora handled it—sorted out whatever it was, got the gift delivered to him.”

“She’s not just beautiful,” I continue, the words slipping out before I can stop them. “She’s?—”

“Yours?” Paolo finishes, his tone teasing but with an edge of truth I can’t ignore.

I pause, feeling the weight of that word.Mine. The thought lingers between us, heavier than I’m ready for. She is mine—by arrangement, by name, by every vow we exchanged. But it feels more complicated than that. More personal.

“Yeah,” I finally admit, the truth slipping out. “She’s mine. At least on paper.” But that’s not enough—not anymore. I want her to be mine in every sense of the word, and I have no clue how to make that happen.

Paolo smirks knowingly. “Then stop worrying about it so much and start acting like it. You don’t need all the answers, Rafa. You just need to stop standing on the sidelines and go for it. She picked you for a reason.”

I lean back further, the enormity of everything pressing down. “I don’t even know where to begin.”

Paolo leans forward, smirking like he’s been waiting for this conversation all day. “Where to begin? Oh, I don’t know, maybe try talking to her instead of brooding like a damn gargoyle.”

I shoot him a glare. “I do talk to her.”

“Grunting doesn’t count, Rafa. You’re not a caveman. Use actual words, make an effort. Hell, maybe even throw in a compliment or two. You might surprise yourself.”

I roll my eyes, but a small smirk tugs at my lips. “What, you’re the expert on relationships now?”

He leans back with a satisfied grin. “No, but I’ve read a couple of romance novels. Seemed like a good way to pick up tips.”

“Romance novels?”

“What? They’re educational,” he says with a wink. “I know you read them too. Don’t lie.”

I let out a half laugh, half groan. “I don’t have time for this.”

“Ah, classic Rafaele avoidance tactic,” he says, dramatically waving his hands. “Fine, fine. We’ll circle back to the saga of your love life later. But hey, at least you didn’t deny it.”

I roll my eyes again, but there’s a sense of something lighter between us now, the tension easing just a bit. “Let’s get back to business. I want to circle back to Leo.”

Paolo’s grin fades, replaced by a serious look. “Yeah, about Leo… there’s a rumor going around.”

“Of course there’s a rumor. There’s always a rumor with Leo.”

“No, this one’s serious.” Paolo sits up, his tone more sober than before. “There’s talk that he’s letting the cartel deal in the strip club. Taking a cut of the profits.”

I sit up straighter, my jaw tightening. “The cartel?”

“Yeah.” He nods. “He’s letting them push products, and he’s getting a percentage. It’s not small stuff either.”

A slow burn of anger coils in my chest. “Why the hell would he be stupid enough to get involved with the cartel?”

Paolo shrugs. “You know your brother. Never saw a bad idea he didn’t like. Money’s probably the main motivation, but I think he’s also trying to show he’s got his own thing going. Proving he’s more than just ‘the useless brother.’”

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