Chapter 55

55

Massimo

"So, you let her leave?" JJ leans forward in his chair. The same chair she was seated in less than an hour ago. I asked her to leave and she hesitated. When I didn't say anything more, she conveyed her thanks with her eyes, then pivoted and walked quickly through the door. I sagged back onto the bed and fell asleep almost immediately. When I woke up again, it was to find JJ in my room. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed to find him instead of her.

"She asked you to let her go, and you did?" he asks again.

"What choice did I have?"

"You always have a choice." He drums his fingers on the arm of the chair.

"So what, I should have restrained her and prevented her from leaving?"

"It's an idea." He raises a shoulder.

"You've never been in love, have you?" I scoff.

"As I told you before, The only four-letter word I'm acquainted with doesn't begin with an L."

"Never say never." I move around to find a more comfortable position on the bed. "I was just like you. Then, I met her, and my world tilted on its axis. I didn't think it was possible to feel anything as remotely intense as what I feel for her. I met her, and now, she's the last thought in my mind before I drift off to sleep, and the first thought when I wake up each morning. When I'm not with her, I want to be with her, and when I am with her, I want to never let go of her."

He watches me with a curious look in his eyes. "It sounds… painful."

I chuckle. "It's… energizing, and strangely, life-affirming. Apparently, life is all about living it for someone else. Who knew, eh?"

"That's how I felt when I had my children. I took one look at them and knew my life had changed irrevocably. I knew I'd do anything for them. But feeling that way for a woman...?" He shakes his head. "I confess, I've never had such thoughts for a woman. And hopefully, I never will."

"I never wanted to have kids. But then, I met her, and the thought of seeing her pregnant with my child brings out a part of me that I didn't even know existed."

His gaze narrows. "And yet, you let her go?"

"That's part of being in love with someone. I've already made her marry me without giving her a choice… Making her fall in love with me isn't as easy. Giving her the space she needs so she can not only acknowledge her feelings for me, but also act on them? That's something I can't force. It's something she's going to have to realize on her own.

"And if she doesn't? What if she never arrives at that conclusion on her own?"

My chest hurts, my shoulder muscles tense. The pain in my side turns up a notch, and I squeeze my fingers into a fist. "Oh, she told me she loves me. Now, she has to find the courage to act on her emotions. To accept that I am the only one for her. She knows it deep inside, too. She just needs a little space to accept it, is all."

"You're a brave man," a new voice announces from the doorway. Both JJ and I turn to find Michael leaning against the doorframe.

"How long have you been standing there?" I press my fingertips together.

"Long enough." He prowls inside the room. He's followed by Seb, Adrian, Luca, and Christian.

"What's this? An intervention?" I scowl.

The men wander around the room before Seb props a hip against the window frame. Christian stops at the foot of the bed, Luca positions himself on the side of the bed opposite to JJ, and Axel stays just inside the door. It might look casual to an outsider, but I know they're positioning themselves to be ready in case of an attack. They're also carrying firearms, as evidenced by the slight bulge under each of their jackets. No doubt, thanks to JJ's influence, they weren't stopped.

"Heard you took a hit?" Michael nods toward the bandage which peeks out from under my hospital gown.

"You should see the other men," I say lightly.

Michael fixes me with his gaze. "It was a foolhardy thing you did, walking in there unarmed."

"I assume JJ here gave you the background about what happened?"

Michael nods.

"You should know then, that I was never in any trouble. We had planned for JJ to come in with his men."

"Which took longer than expected." Michael folds his arms across his chest. "Ergo, here you are, laid up with another bullet wound."

"Hopefully, the last one." I tilt my head.

Michael holds my gaze, then blows out a breath. "I've accelerated the process of legitimizing our businesses. It's taking more time than expected, due to the complexities involved, as you well know."

"It needs to happen faster, Michael. The faster we go legit, the less chance we have of running up against more characters like Alvaro. We can't risk our families being exposed to the likes of him again."

"I am aware." His forehead creases. "Speaking of, wherever Olivia is, I assume you have eyes on her?"

I glare at him. He raises his hands. "Just asking. Giving her time alone to think things through is very mature of you, not something I'd have been able to agree to if I had been in your place."

"Time alone?" Seb asks.

"So much has happened in the last few days. She needs to sort things out in her head."

There's silence in the room, then Christian nods. "It's a good thing. Best to get the thinking out of the way, once and for all."

"Peter's been instructed to never let her out of his sight. He'll drop her wherever she wants to go, then make sure to keep himself out of sight," JJ offers.

Michael turns to him. "Thank you for helping out my brother." He extends his arm. "I will not forget how you stepped in when the rest of us couldn't make it in time to help."

JJ shakes his hand. "It's my pleasure, but you do realize it's going to cost you, right?"

Michael's lips kick up. "A bigger stake in Trinity Enterprises, I assume?"

JJ tilts his head. "Actually, I want you to invest in a private members' club that I'm opening in London."

"A members' club? Is that a euphemism for a sex club?" Luca pipes up.

"It's a members' club in Mayfair, and it's not a euphemism for a sex club. Although there will be a space in the club for that purpose, too, yes. And, of course, all of you will get VIP membership to the space."

"Naturally." Christian nods.

"Aren't there enough exclusive clubs in London?" Adrian murmurs.

"None like this. None where the entry will be restricted to billionaires… and those I deem fit to be given membership."

"You mean we, don't you?" Michael drawls.

"If you invest, you'll get a say, but the final decision will belong to me."

"And what's in it for me?" Michael demands.

"This place will be a meeting ground for those who are the most influential, most powerful, and most exceptional. Membership will be based, not only on how much money you have, but also on what value you've contributed to the world. A veritable roster of who's who, this will be the place to unwind without being worried about the media. A place to entertain and be entertained. A timeless combination of comfort, glamour, and intimacy, where what's said and done in the club will stay in the club. In short, this will be the place to meet and network among the tastemakers, the influencers, those whose every choice has a ripple effect on the decisions of millions."

"Sounds intriguing," Seb offers.

JJ rises to his feet. "What do you say? Are you in, then?

"You helped my brother. It goes without saying I'm with you in whatever venture you want me to support." Michael shakes his proffered hand. "As for you..." He turns to face me. "Once the doctor gives you the all-clear, how about we get you home?"