I didn’t know a whole lot about genetics, but Luc’s father had the same keyhole pupil as Luc, and his mother had pale blue eyes like Gio. “Are you saying nobles can only marry other nobles with the same traits?”
“Pretty much.” She pushed away from the doorframe. “Don’t worry. I’m not talking about incest. The bloodlines aren’t that compromised. Yet. I think Luc’s parents are technically cousins, but like twelve steps removed. Nothing to freak out about. But that is one of the reasons his father is not happy he married you.”
An uneasy feeling rolled through my belly. That made sense, but was it enough to want me dead?
I wanted to ask that but didn’t know if Caprice was anywhere listening. But before I could figure out a way to phrase it, I realized what else about her looked different.
She was dressed in leggings and an oversized T-shirt that fell off one shoulder, her hair pulled back in a messy bun signifying a casual day at home. But her heavily made-up eyes and flawless makeup told another story.
“You were in the process of getting ready to go out, weren’t you? I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“Oh, don’t worry.” She waved a hand and turned, motioning me to follow. “I was just messing around, trying to decide what to do with myself for tonight. Come on back and help me.”
I had no idea what she meant, but, still wanting to know more, I followed her through the doorway and into the master bedroom.
Another stone fireplace took up one wall, fronted by plush white chairs and a low coffee table. More arched windows looked out at the countryside, but my focus was pinned on the four-poster bed strewn with multiple dresses and shoes and wigs and masks.
“What is all this?” I asked, moving toward the bed and fingering what looked like a strapless leather dress I doubted was long enough to cover Felicity’s ass.
Felicity perched her hands on her hips and sighed. “My dilemma at the moment. I need something sexy and revealing that I haven’t used before. That one I wore several months ago, so I don’t think I can use it again so soon. It’d look great on you, though.”
Confused, I glanced from the barely there leather outfit in my hand to Felicity.
She laughed. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m not a ho. I told you I do this sometimes. It’s for the party.”
I blinked, completely clueless as to her meaning. And then it hit me. Hard. Like a punch straight to the gut.
Holy shit. “They’re holding one of those parties tonight?”
“Yeah. Didn’t Luc call y—” Her mouth snapped shut when she saw the fire in my eyes, then she muttered, “Shit. He didn’t call you, did he? Dammit, Luc.”
She moved toward me before I could step away. “Don’t be upset. I just found out about it myself. Marco texted about a half hour ago to tell me he wouldn’t be home for dinner. If Luc didn’t contact you, I’m sure there’s a reason.”
My vision turned red as I looked back down at the dress. “Sure.”
Only I knew the reason he hadn’t called. Because he didn’t want me to know about the fucking party.
The son of a bitch had lied to me again. He’d fed me a line of bullshit this morning to keep me quiet and docile. And like the naïve fool I’d been before, I’d fallen for his lies hook, line, and sinker.
Dammit. I’d believed him when he’d told me he wanted to spend the day with me. I’d believed him when he’d said everything he was doing was all to keep me safe.
Anger and stupidity bubbled inside me like molten lava. Leaving me here all alone so he could attend an orgy was not in any way keeping me safe.
Revulsion pushed bile straight up my throat when I envisioned him in the middle of a party just like the one Gio had taken me to on Long Island. Fucking some tattooed beta slave had absolutely nothing to do with my goddamn safety.
My skin turned hot and tingled with an uncontrollable urge to get the hell out of this country once and for all. I was so consumed by my rage, I didn’t realize I’d moved toward the door until Felicity grabbed my hand.
“Hey, I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m sure Luc would have told you if he’d been able to. Marco’s not watched as carefully as Luc. They probably took Luc’s phone from him so he couldn’t contact you.”
Felicity could be right, but I was too worked up to accept that explanation. All I could think about was the fact I’d been duped—again.
“Tell you what.” Felicity squeezed my hand. “Why don’t you come with me?”
“Oh hell no.”
“Just hear me out.” Her fingers tightened around mine when I tried to pull away. “No one will even know you’re there. I’m good at camouflage.” She nodded toward the bed strewn with articles of clothing. “I can put you in something that will completely disguise you. You can see for yourself that Luc’s not up to anything nefarious, which I know he’s not. Then you can leave and come back here without his ever knowing you were gone.”
I met her gaze, debating my options. I didn’t like that she knew I didn’t trust Luc, but I had to admit I needed proof. I couldn’t go forward on blind faith anymore. It had burned me before, and I wasn’t about to be stupid. Not when my sanity was riding on whatever truth awaited me.
“Are you sure it’s safe? Luc and Marco both said I shouldn’t leave the esta—”
“Trust me. You’re safe with me. I know how to get in and out of these parties and blend without being noticed. You could walk right past Luc in one of my disguises, and he’d never know it was you.”
I still wasn’t sure, but I couldn’t stay with Luc if I didn’t know what he was doing. And I wouldn’t allow myself to be pushed around a moment longer. Before I could stop myself, I said, “Okay.”
“Good.” Felicity’s features relaxed, and she squeezed my hand in reassurance, but something in her eyes still looked worried. “You’ll see. Everything will be fine.” Stepping back, she pulled me toward the bed. “Now let’s find something for you to wear. We’ll put you in a wig and totally change your makeup so no one recognizes you. You’ll have to ditch the ring, though. That’s a dead giveaway you’re someone important.”
Removing my ring would reveal my tattoo. And if Luc saw that, he’d know exactly who I was, regardless of how well Felicity’s disguise masked my identity. I was absolutely sure he’d flip his shit when he realized I’d stepped foot off this estate where he claimed I was safe, but I no longer cared how he reacted.
I cared about me. And the truth. And not being a fool any longer.
Even if something in the back of my head whispered this was not going to end well.
5
Luc
I checked my watch for the umpteenth time as I stood in the shadows.
Only ten minutes had gone by since I’d last glanced at the time. I still had to endure at least another hour before I could make my exit without causing a giant clusterfuck I wasn’t willing to unleash.
Music echoed around me—some techno beat I couldn’t stand. The Favero Villa was set on a low hillside not far outside Florence, but it might have been a thousand miles from Marco’s estate. Cosimo Favero was one of the Thirteen Knights, and as such, not someone I wanted to cross paths with tonight, not when I was itching to escape.