Page 29 of Secret Revenge

Her words stung, but I knew she spoke the truth. Trust was a luxury we could ill afford, and loyalty was often nothing more than a facade.

“Let’s not jump to conclusions,” I said slowly, my voice betraying a hint of uncertainty. “Marco has been with us through thick and thin. We should give him a chance to explain.”

With one last look at the photo, I set it down on my desk, the image seared into my mind like an open wound. And as I stared into Marco’s eyes, searching for the truth that lay hidden beneath, I found myself torn between loyalty and suspicion, caught in a web of deceit that threatened to consume us all.

“Marco,” I began slowly, lifting the corner of the photograph to reveal the timestamp. “This photo was taken just days ago.”

His eyes widened, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of panic. But it vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by a resolute expression. He shook his head vehemently, adamantly denying the accusation.

“Nicholas, you have to believe me. That timestamp is fake. I would never go near Francesca, not after everything that’s happened.” His voice was steady, yet laced with desperation. “I’m loyal to the Romano family, always have been.”

As I listened to his words, I recalled the years we had spent together, fighting side by side like brothers in arms. The countless battles we had won, the sacrifices we had made to protect our family’s legacy. Could it all be nothing more than a well-crafted lie? A smoke screen designed to hide the treacherous heart that beat within Marco’s chest?

“Nicholas,” Liliana said, her voice tugging at the edges of my thoughts. “Remember what’s at stake here. We can’t afford to make mistakes. You need to be certain before you take action.”

Her words cut through the haze of uncertainty that clouded my mind, sharpening my focus like a razor’s edge. If he wasn’t a traitor and I threw him out, he’d readily become one. On the other hand, if I left a traitor in our midst there would be no telling what further damage he’d do.

“Take a step back, Marco,” I said, my voice low and commanding. “Let me see things with a clear perspective.”

He hesitated for a moment, his eyes searching mine for some semblance of understanding. Then, with a heavy sigh, he stepped away from the desk, his hands raised in a gesture of surrender.

“Nicholas,” he whispered, his voice barely audible above the sound of my own heartbeat. “I’m loyal, I swear it.”

As the words hung in the air between us, I felt the weight of the decision that lay before me: to trust or to doubt, to believe or to question. And as I looked into Marco’s eyes, dark and filled with an unspoken plea, I found myself caught between the tides of loyalty and suspicion, unsure of which path to follow.

“I think Riccardo is trying to set me up,” he declared, his voice a mixture of defiance and desperation. “I’ve seen the way he looks at Liliana. It’s not right. I had to confront him about it.”

Liliana’s eyes widened, a flicker of vulnerability crossing her face before she quickly masked it with a neutral expression. My heartbeat quickened at the mention of her name, my protective instincts flaring.

“Riccardo?” I questioned, my tone laced with doubt. Marco nodded, a determined look in his eyes as he continued.

“Nicholas, he wants me gone. And what better way to do it than by sowing seeds of doubt and discord? I’m loyal to you and the Romano family.” He paused, swallowing hard. “Please, you have to believe me.”

I studied Marco, taking in his earnest expression and the slight tremble in his hands. The possibility that Riccardo, my childhood friend and confidant, would betray us seemed absurd.

“Get out of my office, Marco,” I ordered, my voice cold and unforgiving. He flinched at my harsh tone but bowed his head in submission, leaving the room without another word.

As the door clicked shut behind him, I reached for the phone on my desk, my fingers curling around the cool metal as I dialed Riccardo’s number. “Keep an eye on Marco,” I instructed when he picked up, my voice tense with unspoken anger. “Watch him closely and report back to me.”

“Understood, boss,” Riccardo replied, the unwavering loyalty in his voice driving all doubt about him from my mind.

“Nicholas,” Liliana murmured, her hand resting gently on my arm. “What are you going to do?”

“Protect this family,” I replied, my voice a low growl. And as I spoke those words, I knew that they rang true – I would not allow betrayal or deceit to tear us apart, no matter the cost.

I stood from behind the desk, my movements slow and deliberate as I paced around the dimly lit room. My fingers traced along the spines of leather-bound books, their embossed titles serving as a reminder of the many secrets contained within these walls.

“It’s the way he spoke about Riccardo,” I said, mulling over the details of our confrontation. “His accusations were so specific, so pointed. He knew you are my one weak spot and with Riccardo gone, he’d be my natural choice for second in command.”

Liliana followed my movements, her delicate frame perched on the edge of the couch, her legs crossed demurely at the ankles. She listened intently, her brow furrowing in concentration as she considered my words.

“Or maybe it’s simply the fact that I can’t shake the image of him with Francesca,” I added, my voice tightening with anger at the mere thought of their betrayal. “Regardless of whether the photograph is real or not, the idea that he could be involved with her... it’s unforgivable.”

“I agree,” Liliana said, rising gracefully from her seat to approach me. Her slender arms encircled my waist, and I felt her warmth seep into me, providing a small measure of comfort amidst the chaos.

Chapter 14

Liliana

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