The Billionaire’s Pact

PROLOGUE

Eight years earlier

T he Belfiore estate sat on the Croton Reservoir in the Lower Hudson Valley, New York. Its Georgian-styled stone mansion appeared lit, with holiday wreaths hung in uniform rows of arched windows. From the top of the hill, the view was nothing short of breathtaking—a modern castle out of a fairytale.

Night came, bringing an icy chill. Mama and I shivered on the front stone steps. I wanted to ask if we could leave, but then one of the double doors opened.

“Hurry, Adelina,” Mama whispered, pressing my back to walk faster as if the open door had a time limit. I got my first alarm when it shut and Mama sobbed—Mama never cried. She’d taught me that tears were a luxury we couldn’t afford. My small hands reached out clumsily to wipe her cheeks, but I hesitated. Blood still stained the grooves of my nails.

Lightly tapping on the housekeeper’s shoulder, who walked ahead of us, I asked for a bathroom. She looked down her nose at me and pointed to a closed door around the marble stairs. “ Come straight down the hall after you’re done.”

I thanked her and then went in. The decorative towels were all lined in a perfect row on the brass bar, within reach of the marble basin. The water ran pure, and blood left my hands, but I wasn’t sinless. A flashback of Judge Colby in a heap with me standing above him, gripping the folding chair, came to mind.

He was my father, but I never called him anything other than Judge Colby. It had been my way to taunt him when he did things against the law—and there were many. I’d hoped it would appeal to a part of him that cared about something other than himself, but it never happened.

I paused at the sink and glanced into the mirror above—something I usually avoided because misery reflected more powerfully than vanity. And if I gazed too long, it would bring on feelings of pity, which would surely break me. To go on, I had to be strong. But even Mama cracked. So I looked.

Purple bruises covered my face, and my lips were cut and swollen. But they didn’t hurt much. Most of my bruising hadn’t been the punishing kind, but for self-protection. I would pick fights with bullies and stepped in front of Mama when Judge Colby tried to harm her. For most of my fourteen years, I’d managed to protect her. But even ugliness wouldn’t stop an evil man. He broke Mama, forcing her to do what he wanted, and then turned to me. Except I fought back. And now he’s in jail. Worth it.

Reaching the grand sitting room without stopping to gaze at the framed pictures and artwork was an achievement. Art was the magic dust that usually took me away, but tonight there wasn’t anywhere to go. Mama and I reached our end.

We walked in on what appeared to be the living room, a stately room with tasteful floral pattern upholstery and highly polished mahogany wood furnishings. My eyes wanted to indulge in the luxuries I’d only seen on film, but I was drawn to another scene before me, and there came my second alarm. Mama knelt before an older man, who glared down at her from a leather chair. It looked expensive, and he did, too. He was Mr. Belfiore, my grandfather. His grey hair was oiled and parted, and he had a neatly trimmed beard. His button-down shirt and pressed slacks were the opposite of our creased clothes that we’d slept in during our ten-hour bus ride and an hour walk to get here, to Mama’s childhood home.

“You’re dead, Lorelei. You can’t come back to life again.”

“Please, Father,” Mama cried. She pushed her hair back to show the large handprints on her throat. And for a second, Mr. Belfiore’s face softened, but then twisted into a scowl just as quickly. My face burned at witnessing Mama begging, but indignities had been a part of our daily life.

The tap of heels on marble had us all turning to the archway where a woman came in. She appeared tall, with black hair clipped and coiffured in curls. Her mauve wool dress had delicate, smooth drapes of tailored fabric. Mrs. Belfiore was what I’d imagined from Mama’s stories—beautiful, like a queen. She crossed her arms as her focus slid over us and zeroed in on Mama, and she tsked, “You had another child?” Her tone had more admonishment in it than surprise. They didn’t know about me?

“Yes, Mother. I did.” Mama bobbed her head, then curled her chin under. I imagined how I looked standing there under their scrutiny. A living stain in their immaculate space.

Mrs. Belfiore’s eyes narrowed. “She’s wearing a hat inside. You didn’t teach her manners?” Her mocking tone didn’t move me to act. Instead, I stared down at Mama. She gave me a nod, and I pulled off my hat, holding back the impulse to run my hand over my shaved scalp. A few sores had scabbed over but were still visible, and the pinch in Mrs. Belfiore’s expression made it clear she’d seen them. Mama reached up and touched my back, and I straightened my spine, adjusting my oversized hooded sweatshirt and flare jeans.

Mrs. Belfiore came closer and peered at me. “She’s a scarecrow in rags. Is she diseased—”

“No,” Mama interrupted her. “Her scalp’s too dry. She’s clean. I…I named her Adelina Tessa after Nana. I…I miss her. I miss you, Mother.” Mama sniffled and swiped her eyes.

I stared at Mrs. Belfiore. Her face had faint lines on her forehead and at the corners of her eyes, she looked so much like me, but with fuller cheekbones and big, wide-set, dark blue eyes. Tears filled hers, and she covered her mouth.

Comforting came as a reflex, even for me, who didn’t get it often. My arms lifted and reached for her, but she gasped and jerked back out of reach.

The sting dug into my chest, and I dropped my head and stuck my hands in my armpits. My gaze became unfocused as I realized there was nothing here for me. But Mrs. Belfiore kept on speaking to Mama.

“Is this how we raised you, Lorelei?” She shook her head and went to stand behind Mr. Belfiore’s chair. Her hand brushed his shoulder, and he reached up and touched hers.

“Where is the boy?” Mr. Belfiore asked in a hoarse voice.

“The state took Jacob ten years ago,” Mama murmured. I sniffled and brought out a cloth to dab my nose. My brother. The one I lost. Mama said Jacob had failed to thrive so the state had taken custody of him. The last time we’d seen him, he’d been dirty and bloated, perched on a broken wheelchair in an overcrowded center in New Square.

I’d squeezed a plush bear into his hands as he stared at nothing, drooling.

Mama’s shoulders shook. “I’m not here for me; I’m here for my daughter, Adelina. Please, take her. She’s smart and quiet. She can cook, clean … ”

He didn’t look at her, but glared at me. “We have housekeepers. We don’t know her or need her. Why are you leaving your mother to beg?”

I cleared my throat. “Because you’re right. I’m not someone you know or care about.”

Mama took my hand tight, reminding me to be respectful. The only reason I’d come with her was to save her. My stepping in front of her hadn’t stopped the beatings. Still, I stole, begged, and worked right by her side. It had been me who’d called 911 to save us. And because of that, my prayers for her were answered. She only needs my blessing to take it. I took a deep breath and told her what she needed to hear. “It’s fine, Mama. I can make it. You need them. Look in on Jacob when you can, and I will, too.”

Mr. Belfiore stood and came to stand in front of me. “You look like a boy with that shaved head.” He picked up my hands and turned them over. “They’re rough as sandpaper, calloused,” he said as he dropped them. “A hard wind would knock you over. You’re beat up, dirty, and in rags. What will you do?” He peered at me, seeming genuinely curious.

I straightened up and squared my shoulders. This man might think he can intimidate me, but I’ve lived with evil. It was my life for the last fourteen years, man. “I’ll survive, sir.”

If I had no other choice, I could survive.

I wanted to believe it, even though, deep down, I didn’t think it was possible. But sharing my fears was as meaningless as coming here. I wasn’t a part of their life.

His lips parted, and he looked over at his wife, and they seemed to talk to each other without speaking. Finally, Mrs. Belfiore said, “We need to speak with Lorelei privately.”

Mama stumbled to her feet and took a hold of my arm. “Thank you, Mother and Father.”

The housekeeper stepped forward and Mama said to me, “Follow Patricia. I’ll come get you in a minute.” But her voice wasn’t solid or sure. After all, she’d been dead to them for sixteen years. Pain coursed through me, more so for the emptiness in my life ahead. She needed to come back here. To her home. Even if it can never be my home.

“Okay. See you soon,” I said with a lift to my voice, grinning before following the housekeeper to a glass-enclosed patio in the back with a fireplace and a view of the reservoir. The night had grown fuller, darker, with heavy clouds. We were sure it would snow soon—there’d been a scent in the wind. The road to reach the highway was miles away; it would take me all night to get to it. I waited until I was sure she was gone, then slid the patio door closed behind me. I put my hat back on and stuffed my hands into my pockets. I knew our lives were, once again, about to change significantly. And that I may not see my mama for a long time after tonight. If ever.

My thoughts went in circles about Judge Colby, Mama’s banishment from her home, my grandparents, and especially Grandmother’s words. “We have housekeepers. We don’t know her or need her.” Even though I’m blood, I can still be discarded. Lesson learned. And yet, a part of me wanted their acceptance. Their validation.

I didn’t venture far, but I did meet a stranger on the beach who was kind to me. His name was Luca Marini, and he said he saw a strength in me that would grow into resilience and a hopeful future. I thought he was a sweet, old man who I’d never see again. I liked that moment of joy, though, of feeling momentarily hopeful, but it didn’t quite fix my distrust of men, but maybe I could become even stronger through all the rejection in my life.

“Resilience will be your superpower, Adelina, ” Mr. Marini said, and I liked the sound of that.

Then Mama came short of the bench I’d been on and called over, “Adelina. Come. Now.” Her tone was sharp, but her arms were open.

I hurried over, and she pulled me to walk next to her back inside. We followed the housekeeper up a two-tiered staircase to a massive bedroom with a canopy bed. Excitement bubbled inside me as I gazed at the polished oak desk, matching vanities, and bookcases. There were hundreds of books and a fireplace with seats to sit on.

I twirled in a circle. “Wow, Mama, this place is so beautiful.”

“Yeah, it’s about as real as a doll house,” she murmured, touching her mouth.

My brows lowered. “What do you mean?”

“Nothing. I’m just tired.” She trembled, touching the red marks on her neck.

I went over and hugged her again. We had gone from a pay-by-the-hour motel to a mansion. What came next?

My mind filled with thoughts, and even though we were given a soft bed, I knew it wasn’t good.

Mama was gone when I woke up. She’d left a message on top of my book.

Alarm bells went off and my stomach lurched, even though it was empty. I quickly changed, and had only reached the bottom of the staircase when I was escorted to the door by the housekeeper.

“Where’s Mama?”

She dipped her head and said, “Follow me.”

I stumbled after her outside to a limousine parked out front. The driver opened the door, and Mr. Belfiore was already seated.

“Get in, Adelina,” he said in a stern voice, pulling out my seatbelt.

I didn’t take it and folded my arms. “Is Mama coming?”

“She flew to Italy to be with my mother. We all thought it best not to do goodbyes. Whether you see her again will depend on you.” A finality in his tone made the hairs on the back of my neck raise.

I clenched my jaw. Mama’s so fragile. “I need to know you won’t put her on the streets.”

He snorted. “Let me clear up some lies you obviously have been told. Lorelei’s decisions put her there. She disgraced our family by marrying your father, and refusing to marry the man she was promised to. We lost a fortune because of that and have no heir. She threw her life away, not us. But she’s safe.”

I never understood why Mama never left Judge Colby, yet he was in massive debt with his addiction and gambling. And he blamed me and Mama for it every chance he got.

Mr. Belfiore pressed a button, and I finally buckled into the seat. A few moments later, the limo moved from the driveway to the main road.

He cleared his throat. “I knew this would be Lorelei’s outcome. She was spoiled and reckless. She chose your lowlife bum of a father over her family…She told us in great detail what happened to him last night.”

Sweat broke across my body. The police told us they had more questions, but we left town. What if they charge me? Or find out how he tried to sell me?

My stomach lurched. “What…what will you do about that information?”

“If you take my offer, I could make it go away,” he replied in an even tone.

I squinted. It sounded too good to be true. “How?”

“I can hire good lawyers, and send you off to boarding school and later college to get an education.”

I flicked my eyes at him and bit my smile. I loved school, especially art class. A steady place to live instead of another motel didn’t sound bad.

“But nothing is given without a cost,” he said. “You’ll need to pay me back, and I will collect.”

I squinted at him. “What do you mean, sir?”

He raised his chin. “You’re the only kin left with my blood. Lorelei failed me by not having children to pass on my Belfiore lineage. That leaves you, Adelina. You can help restore our reputation as leaders of a rich and powerful legacy.”

It was odd to hear I had a legacy when we scraped just to get by and Jacob was in state custody. However, it seemed Mr. Belfiore needed something and was willing to bargain. “What do you want?”

“I’ll arrange your marriage. You’ll have sons I can pass on our family trust and rebuild our Belfiore name and wealth. That’s what I need from you. That’s our pact.”

That seemed like too much to ask of me at fourteen when I didn’t even know what my new life would be like. But I could say no. “What happens if I refuse?”

“You’ll be on your own, never to darken our door. I mean it. Don’t ever return. I’ll need the answer before the end of this ride—”

“I agree to your terms,” I said without hesitation. “But I have some, too. You’ll help my mother rebuild her life, and you’ll provide my brother Jacob with a private care facility.”

My brother Jacob was in state custody because we didn’t have a stable home and he needed medical care we couldn’t afford. If Mr. Belfiore could fly Mama to Italy and buy good lawyers, then he could help my brother.

“You’ll learn never to reveal your cards. Now I know what’s important to you, and that means your mother and your brother’s fates are in your hands. You fail, they fail. Do you understand me?” His tone was sharp.

My skin prickled and my heart pounded in my chest. “Yes, I do, Mr. Belfiore.” Not Grandfather, as I am fairly certain this man will never want that from me .

“Good, now look out the window.”

We were at the train station. Without a doubt, Mr. Belfiore would have left me here. Instead, he used his phone and created a new life for me. And on that day, I resolved to live a life of duty without love.