Page 48 of Of Oaths and Secrets

“He’s going to get himself killed.” I rub a hand across my face, the frustration eating at me. “Or worse—drag the whole famiglia into it.”

Paolo nods, his expression grim. “You need to handle this, Rafa. Before it gets out of control.”

I grind my teeth, my mind already racing with the possibilities. “I’ll handle it. I always do, but for tonight, I have dinner to attend.”

The day slips through my fingers like sand, the hours blurring together as I juggle work and trying to uncover just how deep my brother's stupidity runs. I also have to make sure none of this reaches my father’s ears, or Leo’s recklessness will come down on all of us like a hammer. By the time I get home, I'm barely holding it together, my frustration simmering just beneath the surface.

As I step inside, I see Nora by the door, already dressed and grabbing her coat. The car’s waiting outside, engine idling.

“Where are you going?” The words come out sharper than I intended.

She takes a small step back, her eyes widening just a fraction, and I curse myself internally. Great, Rafaele. Way to make her feel comfortable around you.

“Dinner with my parents?” Her voice is cautious, almost uncertain.

I take a breath, forcing myself to calm down… to let go of the weight of the day. “I told you I was coming.”

“I know, but I thought you’d changed your mind, or maybe you were too busy. It’s okay, really.”

“And I wouldn’t have called to tell you?” I shake my head, irritation at myself creeping in. “Don’t answer that. Let’s just go.”

She watches me for a moment, like she’s deciding her next move, then nods. “Okay.”

We step out into the cool evening air, and I open the car door for her. Small gestures, I remind myself. Start with the small things. We drive in silence for a while, but the secret I uncoveredand Paolo’s words hover in the back of my mind now that the noise of business is fading.

“How was your day? Are you feeling better?” I glance her way, trying to gauge her mood.

She nods. “Yes, it was a good day. Nothing exciting.”

“Would anything make it more exciting?” I ask, hoping for some sort of opening.Tell me the truth, I think to myself.Come on, say it.

“Not that I can think of,” she replies quietly.

Damn it, Nora.

As we approach her parents' house, I break the silence again, unable to let it go. “You know, I don’t like liars. I can accept a lot, but I require absolute trust.”

She stiffens slightly but doesn’t turn to look at me. “I didn’t think you trusted me. We barely know each other.”

Good point. I ease off the gas, slowing the car despite the fact we’re running late. “I need a minimum of trust to share my space with someone,” I say, my voice low, trying not to sound confrontational but feeling the weight of the words.

I watch her out of the corner of my eye, hoping—needing—her to understand that I’m not just talking about surface-level trust. There’s more at stake here than either of us can admit yet.

“Of course,” she replies, but I’m not convinced.

A thought crosses my mind, trivial but gnawing at me. “When you came to my father’s house that night,” I begin, hesitating just a moment before diving in, “were you planning to pick me?”

It’s a ridiculous question, and I instantly regret it. I saw the email from Columbia on her computer when I carried her to bed, a far more important matter, but somehow, this question is what comes out. My words hang in the air, awkward and heavy.

She throws me a surprised glance, and I can’t blame her. The question is pointless, intrusive even. She doesn’t answer rightaway, and by the time I stop the car in front of her parents’ garage, I’m convinced she won’t.

But then she speaks.

“No,” she says quietly, shaking her head. “Honestly, I didn’t want to choose either of you. Leo seemed like the logical choice after hearing… well, you know.”

“That I’m a monster?”

She shrugs, her gaze lowering for a moment. “Something like that.”

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