CRISTIANO
I take a drag on my cigar and blow a ring of smoke through the opened window.
I’m in one of the private cottages by the lake. From where I am, I can see the castle-like structure of the château that’s been in my family for over a hundred years. Beyond that is the beach.
The picturesque scenery enchants me the same way it did when I was a child. I remember the time I spent here with my parents and all the memories that will stay with me forever.
The beautiful maiden asleep on my bed provides a different sort of enchantment. One I never expected from anybody.
She was always beautiful, but there’s something epic about being able to see inner beauty and noticing when it overwhelms everything about the external.
Over the last few days, I’ve found myself thinking about the future with her and the guys. Instead of being a business transaction, my relationship with her feels real to me.
My phone buzzes in my back pocket, so I put out my cigar and make my way out of the room to answer the call.
I furrow my brows when I see it’s my grandfather. He never calls me this early unless something is wrong.
“Buongiorno, Grandfather.”
There’s a pause for a beat then he sighs with what sounds like frustration. “Cristiano, I need you to come to my office. Bring Evelina with you. And the guys.”
There’s an edge to his voice that pulls at my insides.
Something is wrong.
I can feel it, hear it in his voice, and sense it spiking my nerves.
He summons me all the time, so that’s no cause to worry. But why would he need to see Megan and the guys?
Fuck.I think he knows about us. I don’t know how because I’ve been extremely careful since we got here, but something tells me he knows the truth.
“Sure. I’ll be there in about ten minutes.”
Ten minutes later, the four of us walk into my grandfather’s office. I know my fears are correct when I see Lorenzo inside, standing by the desk.
The disappointment on my grandfather’s face is even more confirmation.
“Hello, Grandfather. What’s going on?”
“Play the recording,” he says to Lorenzo instead of answering me.
Lorenzo holds out a remote control toward the widescreen monitor on the wall and when he clicks the button, the image of the four of us together having sex with Megan comes on.
My heart stops and my mouth opens as if I’m going to say something. Except nothing comes out. I don’t know what I would say or what explanation I would give.
Megan is sandwiched between Knox and Levi while the two of them are fucking her. I’m kissing her, then I swap places with Knox and plunge into her ass.
The fucking footage is from last night. We’ve been careful with our relationship, but it wouldn’t have mattered because this is a recording from inside the bedroom. Lorenzo, the motherfucking prick, put cameras in my room and I fell right in his fucking trap. He was just waiting for us to slip up.
Grandfather takes the remote from Lorenzo and switches off the recording. His eyes burn like hot coals when he looks back at me.
“Grandfather I—”
“No. No more lies. That is just the tip of the shit.” He looks away from me and focuses on Lorenzo. “Why don’t you tell me everything you found on my grandson’s supposed fiancée.”
“With pleasure, my friend.” Lorenzo’s voice is full of amplified compassion. It’s only contrasted with the victory in his eyes when he looks at me. “It turns out there was never any Evelina. This woman’s real name is Megan Porter.”
“I can explain,” I attempt, but Grandfather holds up his hand.