Chapter 172: I Feel So Foolish

Cassidy’s brow lifted slightly. “You will be home alone in Vienna.”

Bianca shrugged one shoulder. “I’ll just spend the time with my family and wait until Don comes back.”

Waiting. That was the theme of her life lately, wasn’t it?

Waiting for Luciano to forgive her.

Waiting for him to want her.

“Good,” he said softly. “You shouldn’t be alone right now. You need people to take care of you.”

Something in his tone must have struck a chord because her gaze softened.

Then suddenly—

She leaned closer to him. Her fingers grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him toward her.

Cassidy barely had half a second to register what she was doing before she leaned forward, aiming to kiss him.

But Cassidy turned his face just enough.

Her lips brushed past his cheek instead.

Bianca pulled back slowly, her brows knitting together in confusion and embarrassment. “What… what is going on right now?” she asked.

“Bianca… I…” He shook his head slightly. “You’re married.”

Bianca’s face flushed immediately. “Oh my God,” she groaned softly, leaning back into the booth. “I feel so foolish.”

Cassidy sat up straighter instantly, waving a hand quickly as if trying to erase the moment. “No… no… you shouldn’t be. No! Think about it.” His eyes locked onto hers. “You are married to Luciano Genovese. Do you have any idea the kind of man he is?”

Cassidy was selling the act perfectly now—concern, admiration, even a hint of fear carefully woven into his voice.

Meanwhile, beneath the performance, his mind worked quietly.

The fastest way to someone’s heart…was to not be available when they think you should be.

“Its not like anyone is going to tell him,” she said. “and besides, you think I would be here with you if he gave one crap about me.” She was used to admiration. Used to power in the form of beauty, lineage, wealth.

Being ignored by Luciano Genovese must feel like standing invisible in a room where she had always been the sun.

“So,” he said calmly, “I’m supposed to do what?” His eyes held hers steadily. “Fill the hole your husband left behind?” He paused just long enough for the words to sting. “Quite literally?”

Bianca’s face flushed with wounded pride.

Then she slid out of the booth abruptly.

“I have to go!”

Cassidy didn’t move to stop her. He didn’t apologize. He didn’t chase her. He simply watched as she grabbed her purse and walked quickly toward the exit.

Cassidy leaned back slowly.

A faint smile crept across his lips.

No woman wants to feel unwanted.

Especially not a woman like Bianca.

He had struck exactly where he intended to. Her pride.

She would come back.

Of that he had no doubt.

And when she returned…

She would give him everything he wanted.

Everything.

*****

Ricardo’s office creaked open slowly.

The paperwork spread across his desk required more patience than intelligence, and he had already decided he hated both tonight.

He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck, expecting the usual interruption.

For the past few weeks, women from the club had developed a habit of wandering into his office uninvited, trying to seduce him.

Ricardo found the entire situation exhausting. He finally glanced up, already preparing the same polite rejection.

He had one woman.

And she was already quite enough.

Or rather…

Too much.

He certainly wasn’t about to add more complications to an already blissful relationship.

But the moment he saw Bianca Genovese step fully into the room, closing the door behind her, cold dread settled in his stomach.

So this was not one of the dancers.

This was far worse.

“Mrs. Genovese.” He chose the formality on purpose.

Distance was safer.

Bianca’s lips curved immediately. “Mrs. Genovese, uhn?” she repeated, stepping further into the room. “So suddenly? No more Bianca, or Bee as you used to call me?”

“That was a long time ago.”

It had been.

Back when she was just the beautiful, reckless girl betrothed to Luca.

Now she was Luciano Genovese’s wife.

Nothing about that was harmless.

Bianca stopped a few feet from the desk, resting one manicured hand on the back of the chair opposite him.

“Thankfully,” she said smoothly, “I am not here to rekindle the past.” Her eyes lifted to his. “I am here to tell you what you will do for me while you are here and exactly how you will do them for me.”

“I don’t work for you.”

Bianca’s smile widened slightly. “Oh but you will. Because if you don’t… I will make sure I ruin you.”

Ricardo let out a quiet breath through his nose. “I am not afraid of you, Bianca.”

That much was true.

“Maybe not,” she admitted. “But you are afraid of Luca, aren’t you?”

Bianca stepped closer to the desk now, her fingers brushing lightly across its surface. “And you have seen or heard exactly the lengths he will go to for his little slut.”

Ricardo’s eyes hardened immediately. “Whats your point?”

Bianca leaned slightly over the desk now, lowering her voice. “Tell me,” she said quietly, “what will he do when he finds out you are the snitch in the first place.”

Ricardo’s stomach tightened.

Bianca’s smile turned sweet. “The one who made me aware of what was happening in my house.” She straightened slightly, folding her arms. “I have proof of the videos you sent me,” she continued calmly. “The messages you sent me.”

Ricardo could feel the slow, creeping weight of the trap closing around him.

Bianca watched his face carefully, savoring the silence. “And I just shot his bitch,” she added casually. “He is still itching for blood. Maybe he will take it out on you,” she mused lightly. Her gaze flicked around the office, taking in the expensive liquor on the shelf, the polished desk, the comfortable leather chair. “Or maybe he will take away this little slice of life he has given you.” Her eyes returned to his.

Ricardo stayed very still in his chair. “Bianca, I cannot help you,” he said carefully. “There is nothing more I can do.”

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