Page 38 of Bride of Betrayal
Angelica.Her insides clutched. He looked so distant. Sounded so formal. ‘You didn’t know—you didn’t have all the information.’
His mouth twisted. ‘Because you were terrified I would threaten your family’s safety if you told me.’
She swallowed. ‘I think I knew, even then, that you wouldn’t ever do anything like Aldo had…but it all happened so fast…and I did feel guilty. I knew you were innocent but I couldn’t do anything to help you.’
‘Because you were in a prison too.’
‘Not like you.’ Angelica shuddered when she thought of the scar on Leo’s body. What he’d had to endure in that place.
‘How are your family?’
Her tension dissipated. She couldn’t help smiling. ‘They’re amazing. Thank you for letting me be with them.’
‘You’re free now to do whatever you want.’
‘What does that mean?’
‘I’m letting you go, Angel. I should never have come for you. I needed to punish someone…and Aldo was gone.’
Angel.There was the spark of something…she could cling onto. All she knew was that the thought of turning around and walking back out of the door and out of Leo’s life was impossible. Even if he was actively trying to get rid of her.
Bluntly she asked, ‘You said we had unfinished business. Do you still want me?’
Leo’s cheeks flushed. ‘Looking at you right now, I don’t know if I can imagine a time when I won’t want you.’
Angelica nearly sagged against the chair near her. She couldn’t believe she’d had the nerve to ask that. He still wanted her. The relief was sharp and sweet.
She slipped off her jacket and let it and her bag drop into a chair. She walked towards Leo. His gaze narrowed. ‘What are you doing?’
She stopped in front of him. ‘We made an agreement, to marry and rehabilitate your image.’
‘It was hardly an agreement. That’s why I can’t ask you to stay.’
‘Do you want me to, though?’
His eyes flared golden. But he said, ‘It’s not about what I want.’
‘Well, what about whatIwant?’
‘What do you want?’
‘You.’ She couldn’t believe she was being so forward but since she’d unburdened herself and seen her family again, she felt liberated.
‘This isn’t a good idea, Angel. We have too much history.’
‘Precisely why we need to exorcise it. Aldo took three years of our lives and almost ruined your reputation and everything you built up. You deserve to have it all back.’
‘And what about you?’
She felt emotional. ‘I have my family and for now that’s enough. I’ve used my work for the last three years as a buffer between me and a sadist, but I don’t even know if I want to do that any more. I want something more meaningful.’A family.The words popped into her head and she had to push them away. That was not something Leo could give her, she’d known it subconsciously three years ago and he’d only confirmed it since then, but she knew she’d never be able to move on with someone else while this electric charge existed between them.
As if he couldn’t help himself, Leo reached out and touched her jaw. ‘So, what are you proposing?’
She moved a tiny bit closer. ‘I can act the part of a dutiful, socially acceptable wife. Let me do that for you.’
‘No more Lady Godiva moments?’
She shook her head and felt her face heat up. ‘Not unless you specifically request it.’
