Chapter 4 The Weight of Secrets

Manhattan's brilliant lights stretched out in front of me, a never-ending expanse of peril and opportunity. I couldn't fully control my emotions as they raged like a hurricane when I stood on the terrace. Matteo's comments continued to reverberate in my head, bringing up long-buried regrets and emotions. "Luca." Every protection I had accumulated over the years might be destroyed by one name.

Alessandro waited at my side, his normally easygoing manner gone. With an intensity that made my breath catch, his eyes were fixated on me as if he were about to do something. Something far more deadly had taken the place of the effortless charm I had become used to from him. Protective, sure, but insatiably curious.

"Anita." With a deep growl, he shattered the hush. "Who is Luca?"

I tensed up as the question sent a shockwave through my body. Alessandro's eyes were inquisitive and unrelenting. I had to keep it from him. When the past was so brittle and ready to fall apart anew, it was not worth the risk to reveal all.

"It's none of your business," I responded, attempting to sound tough. He made the same step back as I did, bringing us closer together. The city air pressed down on me, feeling too heavy and thick.

Dark eyes narrowed as Alessandro cocked his head. I heard the aggravation he was feeling as he said, "You're hiding something." "I believed that Anita and I were collaborators in this farce. I won't be kept in the dark, however.

With shaking hands, I swallowed forcefully. "This, Alessandro, is not a game." I loathed myself because I stumbled in my voice. "To add interest to your wedding, you wanted a fun diversion and an adventure. But you aren't allowed to touch certain aspects of my life.

For a second, something deadly ignited in his eyes, and his jaw tightened. However, he let out a breath and moved aside to give me room. His stance changed slightly, but I could see it a fissure in the wall he so meticulously built around himself.

His voice was quieter and lower as he said, "I'm not just here for a game." "I could have gone on a date with anybody tonight. But, Anita, you were my choice. I just didn't think landmines would be a part of your history.

I blinked, surprised that he was being so honest. I had met an Alessandro who kept secrets, but now I was starting to see glimmers of something more genuine and profound. I was about to respond when I heard laughing erupting from the reception area, which made me realize where we were and how perilous things had become.

I remarked in a brittle voice, "We should go back inside." "We've garnered enough attention already."

After giving me one more look, Alessandro nodded. However, he stopped short as he went to open the patio door, his fingers lingering over the handle. For the record, he added softly, "I'm not your adversary. I'm more than just a distraction, too.

I was left alone with my thoughts as he slid inside before I could comprehend what he had spoken. Around me, the city gleamed, but I didn't feel particularly bright. I wasn't sure how much longer I could maintain my false sense of well-being as the past drew nearer and threatened to consume me.

I closed my eyes and took a minute to gather my thoughts. The mood had changed to one of joy and levity by the time I returned to the reception. On the dance floor, guests were swaying and laughing while listening to a jazzy cover of a beloved love ballad. It should have been a lovely moment, but instead it served as a bizarre setting for the insanity that was brewing inside of me.

With a playful gleam in her eye and a champagne flute in her hand, my closest friend Sara suddenly showed up. As usual, she exuded effortless glamour as her bright red dress shimmered in the sunlight. "There you are," she murmured, embracing me. I had planned to dispatch a search team to find you. Do you feel alright?

I feigned a grin. I pretended to be alright, but her gaze narrowed.

She fired back, her voice full of love, "Liar." Matteo stormed out of here looking like he had just eaten a wasp, and I noticed Alessandro sitting in a corner, glowering. What's going on, then?

I exhaled, enjoying the comforting familiarity of Sara's company. She had supported me at my lowest moments, and she was the one person I could trust. However, even she was not fully aware of the facts. No one did.

With a tense voice, I acknowledged, "It's complicated." He brought up something that I wasn't ready to handle, Matteo. Additionally, Alessandro is well, he is Alessandro.

Sara raised her neatly styled eyebrow. It seems that Alessandro and complex go hand in hand. Matteo, though? Why is he still able to control you? She was clearly concerned, and her query was sincere. You've gained strength, Anita. There is nothing you owe him.

I should have felt better after hearing those words, but instead they made my chest hurt more. I said, "It's not that easy. "I've kept some things from everyone, including you."

Sara's grin wavered and gave way to an uncommon earnestness. Taking my hand, she murmured, "Hey." "I'm always here to support you. And together, we'll discover out whether that guy is attempting to harm you once again.

Though shame tore at me, I swallowed the knot in my throat, thankful for her commitment. Sara was unaware of some things that I had concealed from her and from myself for her protection. But there was a disturbance close to the door before I could reply.

An obviously out-of-place visitor was engaged in a heated discussion with two security officers in uniform. He was wiry and tall, wearing a rumpled suit that was obviously worn out. He was saying something above the music that I couldn't quite make out, and his eyes were crazy.

Alessandro was already approaching the scene, his face becoming serious. Also there was Matteo, who spoke sharply to the guards while maintaining a hard stance. The music wavered as everyone turned to watch the drama play out, and the whole reception appeared to hold its breath.

When he saw Matteo, the unkempt guy gestured to him with a trembling finger. "You believe you can conceal the truth?" he screamed, his voice breaking. "You think you're untouchable because of your wealth and power?"

I felt my heart thump. In a manner that made my heart accelerate, the man's remarks cut through the cacophony. Sara took a firm hold of my arm as I moved forward. Fear obscuring her normally calm face, she murmured, "What the hell is going on?"

I had no response. Matteo's expression was one of anger, but it also included something like to dread. I could see that Alessandro's hands had clenched into fists at his sides, but his face was inscrutable.

I felt the blood drain from my cheeks as he yelled one more thing before the guards could take him away. "Luca won't remain buried indefinitely!"

The sound of the name echoed like a gunshot, and the room went quiet. When Alessandro's eyes met mine, they were filled with curiosity and what seemed to be realization, while Matteo's face was pallid. I felt my knees weaken and clung to the closest table for balance.

"Luca." That name once more. This time, there was no way out of the past that I had worked so hard to bury, and it was returning with a vengeance.