Page 43 of Dangerous Deception

His death came at my hands, apparently. It seems we were doomed from the start. She refused to elaborate on why she blames me for his death, and given everything she’s been through, I’m not in the habit of pressuring her until I have stiff facts to back me up. So in the days following Marie’s funeral, I order an investigation into Carlos Giordana.

And by investigations, it’s merely Vito doing what digging he can in order to scrape up relevant information.

Pascal becomes my focus in the meantime. The man dodged several meeting requests, leaving me to stew in the knowledge that his name—or at the very least, his bank account—paid the scumbags who kidnapped and sexually assaulted my wife.

A coincidence?

I can’t imagine Pascal would endanger his own daughter.

Then again, he sold her to me with the bare bones of a deal—a deal that benefited him and left Adelina in my care with no instructions or promises. I could do anything to her, and it would be within the guidelines her dear father laid out.

And if he’s not directly responsible? He'd better help me find out who is.

“Boss?” Vito raps his knuckles on the door, drawing me out of my thoughts. “Pascal is here. I put him in your office.”

Tearing my gaze away from where Adelina stands outside on the patio staring aimlessly at an empty canvas, I nod. “Does he want to see Adelina?”

“He didn’t say anything,” Vito replies as he stops next to me. “Just told me he didn’t have time for this.”

“Hmm.” My attention drifts back outside. Adelina went out early this morning and set up her easel, along with countless art supplies that I could never understand. And then she stood there and stared at her canvas. Several hours later, and not a drop of paint has been used.

“What is she doing?” Vito squints at her.

“I think she’s working through something,” I reply quietly. “Her trauma. The loss of her friend. Survivor's guilt. I want to get her away from here.”

“Do you really think that will help?” Vito side-eyes me. “Taking her to Italy?”

“Maybe. I’m not leaving her here, that’s for sure. I just…” Hesitation mutes my words and I shake my head. I can’t verbalize the conflicting feelings around Adelina. I want to helpher, badly. But there’s nothing I can do because she won’t let me. So all I can do is create space for her to heal, even if she doesn’t see it.

Vito watches me expectantly, waiting for me to finish, but I never do. I turn away and leave the room, heading straight for my office.

Pascal stands near the bookcase with his head tilted back as he reads the spines of several higher-up volumes. His hands clasp together at the small of his back while he rocks back on his heels, then he spins to face me when the creaking floorboard betrays my entry.

“Raffaele.”

“Pascal.”

“You'd better have a good reason for summoning me here.”

“Do I need a good reason?” Arching one brow, I move past him to the drinks trolley, where several half-filled crystal decanters glisten with an array of alcohol. “We’re business partners and, in a way, family.”

“I’m a busy man.” Pascal clears his throat. “You could call.”

“Are you sure about that?” I pour one glass of Scotch, then hold the decanter up to him in offering.

He shakes his head, declining. “I would answer.”

“It took me over two weeks to get you here. You didn’t even come to Marie’s funeral. Your daughter’s best friend.” Picking up my glass, I slowly move to my desk and lean against the wood. “I’m surprised.”

“I barely knew the girl.” Pascal clears his throat, but for some reason, he can’t meet my eyes.

Marie, bless her soul, is my gateway into asking why Pascal’s name was on the accounts connected to thosefucks, but just as the question rises, Pascal turns an accusatory eye on me.

“And while we’re talking about people we barely know, why the hell are you trying to take my daughter out of the country?”

The audacity of his accusation silences my own question and I stare at him, lifting my brows. “Excuseme?”

“She’s just lost her friend. She should be here, around friends and family. Not being dragged across the world because you decide you need to be anywhere but here.”

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