"Fine," I sighed, dropping my head back to look at the ceiling. "What on Earth did I do to deserve this kind of crap?" I whispered.
"You married Mr. Bellandi," Emilio offered so helpfully. I leveled him with a glare.
"Do you have a wife, Emilio?" I asked him.
"No, Mrs. Bellandi. The Bellandi's are all the family I want." I pursed my lips in thought as the elevator rose to the top floor of the building.
Alrighty then.
I didn't bother to make more conversation, instead steeling myself for the inevitable confrontation that was coming with Jasper. I'd been out for weeks, and the fact that I hadn't heard from him meant that when Lino told him I wouldn't be in, that conversation likely hadn't gone well.
I could only imagine.
By the time the elevator doors opened, I'd straightened my spine and donned my business persona of being a shark. So I strutted my way out of the elevator and through the room to pass our little waiting room. Nothing unusual, despite my several week absence, the rings on my finger, and the suit at my back. Emilio's steps seemed unnaturally quiet compared to mine, like he always took care to be silent despite his massive size.
Inside the private space, there was a little waiting area, my work area, and then an enclosed office at the left where Jasper conducted his business. My desk sat on the opposite wall, facing his office so that I could see him through the window should he need anything, but he wasn't in there.
He stood next to my desk, looking frustrated with whoever had filled in during my absence. I didn't recognize her, and acknowledged she must have been a temp. "But I don't understand," she whispered. "I thought I was doing well."
"You're not, but that isn't why I'm saying you need to go back to the agency. You've been filling in for an employee who was out sick. You're from a temp agency, I really don't understand why you don't understand what that means," he groaned his frustration.
I cleared my throat, stepping up and taking pity on the poor girl who stared up at Jasper like stars shone out of his ass. "Sorry. I'm the employee who was sick. Thank you very much for covering for me. I'm sure Mr. Rowe truly appreciates it, but as you can see, I'm no longer sick."
"But I like it here."
"I'm sure you do," I sighed. "Pretty views, but they wouldn't have sent a newbie to come work for Mr. Rowe, so can we drop the act like you don't know how this works?" I crossed my arms over my chest, my polite smile turning condescending. I didn't want to deal with fake bullshit and drama when my life seemed to consist of nothing but real drama lately.
"Easy for you to say. I'm sure you just love it here," she snapped.
"Miss Jones, it's time to go. I'd truly like to just be done with this conversation," Jasper said coldly. "Miss Mahoney has returned from her leave—"
"Mrs. Bellandi," Emilio corrected him, and I turned wide eyes at him.
Because holy shit. Talk about letting the cat out of the bag a little early.
"Excuse me?" Jasper asked him, an uneasy chuckle coming from his throat.
"Miss Mahoney is Mrs. Bellandi now."
When I felt Jasper's eyes fall on my face, I scrunched my nose and looked at the floor like the coward I was.
I really, really was.
"Get out," Jasper hissed to the poor woman who had the brains to realize the time to gather her things had officially passed. She snatched them up, shoved them in her purse and was gone. "I'll see you in my office, Mrs. Bellandi," Jasper stormed toward his office once she was gone.
"Thank you for escorting me, Emilio. But as you can see, I'm here. I think it's time you left now," I sighed, wincing.
"You'll call me when you're ready to leave or when you want to go to lunch?" he asked, and I nodded.
"Yes. I’ll be staying here all day today,” I explained. I wouldn't take my new freedom and throw it in Lino's face by disrespecting his desire for me to be protected. As obnoxious as it was, I also knew it was necessary given the turn my life had taken.
"I'll see you at the end of the day then, Mrs. Bellandi." Then the big man turned and strode out, the door closing sounding like it echoed through the space.
"Samara! Get your ass in here!" Jasper called, and I sighed before walking tentatively to the door. "Sit down. You have some explaining to do." I perched on the edge of the chair, worrying my hands together and contemplating what Lino may have told him. "Bellandi said you were ill. That he was taking care of you, and that I should plan on you being out for a few weeks. How does that translate to you marrying the fuck after you told me there was nothing of the sort between you tw
o?"
"Not that I have to explain myself to you, but Connor attacked me in my home. He was after money, and apparently he owes a loan shark a very hefty sum that he can't pay," I explained, all the frustration I felt at having my decisions questioned coming out in sass. "During the attack, he strangled me. There were bruises that have only just gone away completely. Even still I have foundation on to try and cover up the last little lingering tints just to be sure. Lino married me to protect me from the consequences of Connor's debt."