Page 30 of Secret Revenge

The crystal chandelier cast a dim glow over the opulent dining room where I sat at the elaborately set table with Nicholas and Riccardo. The golden candlesticks flickered as the shadows danced on the walls, creating an eerie atmosphere that settled heavily upon us.

My heart raced in my chest, the blood pounding in my ears as I fidgeted with my silverware, struggling to keep my hands steady. My grip tightened around the delicate fork, the cold metal pressing against my skin. My eyes darted between Nicholas and Riccardo, their faces tense and unreadable. Uncertainty gnawed at me, and I feared what would transpire once the accusations began to unfold.

“Is everything alright, Liliana?” Nicholas asked, his voice smooth and deep, yet the edge of concern in his tone was unmistakable.

“Of course,” I replied, forcing a smile onto my lips. “Just a little nervous, I suppose.”

“Your nerves are understandable after all you’ve been thorugh,” Riccardo chimed in, offering a reassuring nod. “But remember, we’re all family here.”

If only it were that simple. Family or not, I couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that seeped into my bones, tightening its grip on my heart with each moment that passed.

My thoughts raced, searching for a way to diffuse the tension that hung between us like a dark cloud. But words eluded me, leaving me trapped within my own mind, a silent witness to the storm brewing before me.

“Riccardo,” Nicholas began, his voice low and commanding as he locked eyes with his friend. “I have reason to believe there’s a mole within our ranks, and you’ve been named.”

My breath caught in my throat, and I couldn’t tear my gaze away from Riccardo, who met Nicholas’s accusation with a steely expression. These next few minutes would spell the end for one of my husband’s men.

“Nicholas, I assure you, I am not betraying this family,” Riccardo replied, his voice firm, though I could hear the faintest hint of hurt beneath it.

“Then explain the information leaks, Riccardo. Explain how Francesca wa able to get close enough to Liliana to take her.” Nicholas’s icy blue eyes bore into Riccardo, and I felt the temperature in the room drop several degrees.

I watched the exchange, feeling the weight of their words like a physical blow. Memories of shared laughter and whispered secrets swirled in my mind, conflicting with the dark suspicions that threatened to shatter the bonds of trust between us all. My thoughts raced, searching for a way to reconcile the man I knew Riccardo to be with the accusations leveled against him.

“Nicholas,” Riccardo interjected, desperation seeping into his voice. “You know I would never betray you or the family. I’ve risked my life for you, time and time again.”

“That’s not an explanation. Tell me how Turner and I were ambushed – he wasn’t stupid enough to tell anyone he was meeting me. The leak had to come from this house.”

The room fell silent as Riccardo stared into the depths of Nicholas’s piercing gaze, searching for a way to restore his friend’s trust. The tension between them was like a taut wire, threatening to snap at any moment and send shards of broken trust flying through the air.

Riccardo hesitated, the lines of his face hardening as he weighed the gravity of his next words. “It pains me to say this, but perhaps...perhaps we should be looking at Marco.”

“Marco? Why him?”

“Think about it,” Riccardo pressed, desperation creeping into his tone. “He’s always been on the fringes, never quite fitting in, despite his efforts. And lately, he’s been spending an awful lot of time with some questionable characters.”

My mind raced, surrendering to the whirlwind of doubt as I considered the possibility. True, Marco had always seemed to have an air of discontent about him, forever hungering for something just beyond his reach. But could he truly be the one betraying us?

“Be careful who you trust,” Riccardo warned quietly, his eyes dark with concern. “I would die for you or your family. Does Marco say the same?”

His words hung heavy in the air, a chilling reminder of the perilous world in which we lived, where secrets were currency and loyalty was a luxury few could afford. The game we played was one of power and control, and the consequences of losing were devastatingly high.

“Riccardo,” Nicholas said through gritted teeth, his voice low and menacing, “I have known you my entire life. I want to believe you, but you must understand my position.”

My heart ached for him, torn between his loyalty to his oldest friend and the need to protect his family at all costs.

Chapter 15

Liliana

The phone rang, startling me from my reverie. So much had happened in the past few months I needed time to think about it all. I picked it up, hearing Sophia’s anxious voice on the other end. “Liliana, I need to see you and Nicholas immediately. It’s about my ex-boyfriend, Joshua. There’s something important you both need to know.”

A chill ran down my spine, her tone sending an ominous warning. “Alright, Sophia. Don’t worry, I’ll send a driver to pick you up at your house.”

“Thank you,” she whispered, and the line went dead.

I turned to Nicholas, who had been observing me with a mixture of curiosity and concern. His piercing blue eyes searched mine, demanding answers. “We have a meeting with Sophia,” I explained, my heart racing. “She has important information about her ex-boyfriend that we need to hear.”

His eyebrow cocked upward, the shadow of his beard only accentuating his authority. I smiled as I took in his reaction. “This is what having your wife as a partner looks like,” I told him, my voice firm but knowing I was testing the limits of our partnership.

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