Chapter 4 - The Fake Engagement
Alessandro's plan sounded insane.
“You want us to pretend we're engaged?”
I stared at him.
“Yes.”
“No.”
“It will draw Salvatore out.”
“No.”
“He believes the ledger is with you.”
“I don't have it.”
“I know.”
“Then why would an engagement help?”
“Because he knows I'm protective of my family.”
“And?”
“He knows I'd never announce a relationship unless it mattered.”
I folded my arms.
“So you're willing to risk my life for a performance.”
His eyes hardened.
“I'm willing to risk mine.”
“That isn't better.”
He stepped closer.
“You want your mother safe.”
“Yes.”
“Then we need Salvatore to believe you have access to the ledger.”
I shook my head.
“What happens when he attacks?”
“I'll be there.”
“You were shot yesterday.”
“I survived.”
“You could have died.”
“So could you.”
We stared at each other.
Finally, my mother spoke from behind us.
“Do it.”
I turned.
“Mom.”
“He's right.”
“But—”
“You don't have to love him.”
Alessandro looked away.
My mother continued.
“You only have to trust him.”
The wedding ring was fake.
The photograph was staged.
The story was simple.
Alessandro Romano was secretly engaged to the waitress who had publicly humiliated him at Rosie's Diner.
The internet exploded.
By noon, every gossip page had the picture.
Me in a black dress.
Alessandro beside me.
His hand around my waist.
The headline:
ROMANO HEIR FINALLY OFF THE MARKET.
I wanted to disappear.
Instead, I spent the afternoon learning how to smile like I wasn't terrified.
At six, Alessandro came into the room.
He had changed into a black suit.
“You look nervous.”
“I am.”
“You don't have to be.”
“I think I do.”
He walked over.
“I'm sorry.”
“For?”
“Dragging you into this.”
“You're not exactly known for apologies.”
“I'm trying.”
I looked up.
“Why?”
He hesitated.
“Because you're important.”
My heart skipped.
“Important how?”
He looked at me.
“Too important.”
Then he offered his hand.
“We have a dinner tonight.”
“With your family?”
“Yes.”
“Does your family know it's fake?”
“No.”
I stared.
“Alessandro.”
“If they believe it, Salvatore will believe it.”
“What if someone actually tries to kill me?”
“They won't get the chance.”
At dinner, every Romano family member watched me.
His aunt Sophia hugged me.
His cousin Marco smiled too much.
An elderly man named Giuseppe stared at me for nearly a minute before saying, “She's not afraid.”
Victor laughed.
“She threatened Alessandro with a coffee pot.”
The table erupted.
Alessandro looked at him.
Victor raised his hands.
“I'm telling the truth.”
For the first time, I laughed.
Alessandro watched me.
Something in his expression softened.
Then Sophia took my hand.
“Are you in love with him?”
I nearly choked.
“No.”
Alessandro coughed.
Victor looked delighted.
Sophia smiled.
“Not yet?”
I looked at Alessandro.
He didn't speak.
Later, on the balcony, I confronted him.
“Your family is impossible.”
“They like you.”
“They barely know me.”
“They know enough.”
I looked at the city.
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
He stood beside me.
“I know you work too much.”
“I have bills.”
“I know you lie when you're protecting someone.”
“You said that yourself.”
“I know you sleep with the television on because silence makes you think.”
I stared at him.
“How do you know that?”
“I've watched you.”
“That's creepy.”
“Probably.”
I laughed.
Then he said quietly, “I know you always check the locks twice before bed.”
I looked at him.
“And I know you pretend not to be afraid because you think your mother needs someone stronger than she is.”
I couldn't answer.
He touched my hand.
“I know you would give away your last dollar if somebody needed it.”
My eyes filled.
“Stop.”
“Why?”
“Because you're making me believe this is real.”
His fingers tightened around mine.
“Maybe that's the problem.”
I looked at him.
“What?”
“Maybe it stopped being fake for me.”
Before I could respond, the lights across the city flickered.
Victor rushed onto the balcony.
“Boss.”
Alessandro turned.
“What?”
“We've got movement.”
“Where?”
“The hotel.”
The hotel where the press conference was scheduled.
I froze.
My fake engagement had worked.
Salvatore had come.
May you like
But not for Alessandro.
For me.
