CHAPTER33
Sensitive and loyal. Who would have guessed it?
“You try leaving a famous billionaire when he’s been caught with his finger in someone else’s pie, bambina. She knew he’d cause chaos for her if she tried. It’s one of the reasons I feel like I do about him. He’s a fucking control freak, and all he cares about is his reputation.” The flash of anger surprises me. Jake isn’t one to lose his cool so easily, or publicly. He shifts in his chair, takes a deep breath, and quells his outburst a little; his eyes are still stormy, but his awareness of the surroundings causes it to burn out quickly.
“He forced her to stay?” I understand now why he feels that way.
“In a way, I feel he did.” He gazes across the restaurant as though trying to find his inner calm in the sea of strange faces around us.
“And now?” I urge, coaxing him with no real input to give back.
“She’s in her fifties; she’s resigned herself to the fact she won’t ever be able to find someone else, and I guess she still has feelings for him. She’s trapped in a loveless marriage.” He looks back at me, a small sardonic smile brewing. The hurt is evident on his face, and it makes me want to reach out and take his hand, but I hold back.
“A loveless marriage?” The thought is so sad, especially for someone as lovely as Sylvana Carrero.
“It’s been loveless on his part for a long time, Emma. I think even before the affair there were cracks in the facade. My father married her after a one-month romance.” He finally stops looking around evasively, his eyes coming to rest on my face.
“Do you think Elsa was the only affair?” I ask, wondering why he’s telling me this now.
“Probably not, but it’s the only one I found out about.”
“It explains why you’re always so off with him. Your parents seem fine when I’ve met them at events.” It’s true; a beautiful woman and her adoring husband is what they portray in person, very well. How sad that the truth is so very different. I know all about hiding true appearances; I am a master of deceit in my own right.
“A carefully played ruse, Emma. My father is all about appearances; my mother knows her place and how to play her part.” Jake looks angry again, but his demeanor is still cool and controlled; he moves his glass for the tenth time in a show of discomfort.
“So, your behavior in your younger years? Rebelling was payback?” This has interested me for a while; his teen wild days and then his reform always seemed at odds with how he is now. He shrugs and drinks his wine, deep in thought.
“Some … I had other reasons too.” He looks anywhere but at me, and I can tell he’s hiding something, being evasive again.
“Such as?” I nudge again with a soft smile, not easily swayed.
“Italian blood.” He smiles impishly, trying to pass off my question, but I see it doesn’t reach his eyes. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen him truly avoidant when it comes to our personal chats; normally he’s so open with me about everything. I push down the tremor of doubt, my gut telling me that maybe I’m over thinking it.
Our steaks arrive, and we sit silently while the waitress lays them out on our table. He gives her one of his seductive smiles, and I watch her literally slump with desire.
Jesus, you’re being so obvious, it’s actually pathetic woman!
I frown across at him, a visual telling off. He likes to invoke the reaction for his own amusement, the eternal playboy with the childish temperament. He likes the effect he has on women of all ages.
“She may have trouble finishing her shift now,” I scold after she wanders away.
“Jealous?” He winks at me, but I just glare at him coldly."
