CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
H otel du Cap-Eden-Roc was a luxurious manor that sat at the crown of a paved drive with plush manicured lawns and swaying palms. The weather was on board with the sun shining above, giving every color in the environment an infused hue—the greens were greener, the pinks and yellows in the flowers more vivid, and the blue of the sea appeared drawn from a water painting.
Rick turned to the Villa Eleana, a pristine, contemporary-styled home on the estate. A hotel with private villas, this was the crème de la crème of luxurious indulgence. At any other time, I’d have marveled at the extravagant surroundings that Rocco navigated and shared with me, but my mind was preoccupied with Judge Colby. The man had a hold on Mama like no other. She wouldn’t leave him. It was what I’d resented the most and what had almost ruined our relationship forever. I had to find out what she knew.
I felt Rocco’s stare and turned to him. His expression was pensive as he studied me. Even though he modestly downplayed attending the event, it was his big night. The movie he invested in had a chance for top honors. He needed the press as much as I wanted to avoid it. Besides that, it had been years. Even though my grandparents were deceptive in what they’d done, I’d fought back. Ultimately, Judge Colby won. He got another chance after so many. If I was being truthful with myself, I’d of known there was always a chance for a man like him to walk free, especially if he hadn’t been held accountable for all the damage he’d done.
Rocco rubbed his jaw. “I’ve arranged a spa treatment here. Isla has your dress, but if you want to stay in tonight—”
“No, I don’t. This is your movie, and I’m excited to go. I’m coming,” I said and stepped closer with my arms out. He wrapped his around me. I refuse to let Judge Colby win. “Don’t worry. It was the initial shock. I’ll talk to Mama. I just need to know she’s safe. Okay?”
“I’ll make sure you’re safe, too. I’ve requested more security, and one will escort you tonight.” He exhaled heavily.
I peered up at him. “You have to go?”
He nodded. “They’re waiting for me, and I need to have it all wrapped up before the premiere. I’ll have to meet you there, but I don’t want to leave you upset.”
I could see the anger and frustration on his face. His concern filled me with gratitude. But I also knew how important this movie was to him. “Thank you, Rocco. Go on. I’ll see you soon.”
He hugged me, and I squeezed his waist before letting go. When he leaned in to kiss me, I held out my cheek.
“Are we okay?” He frowned. Rocco was affectionate, and I didn’t want him to stop being that way with me. I loved the extra cuddles and caresses he gave me all the time, but he seemed to have forgotten something.
I wrinkled my nose. “I vomited twice. Remember?”
His eyes widened as he recalled, then he relaxed, his shoulders dropping. Still, he eyed me speculatively. “Hmm. Maybe I should have a doctor check you over.”
I groaned and pushed his chest. “Go. A massage will relax me more than medicine. Okay? I’ve done talk therapy but it didn’t change how I feel about him. I really hate him.”
The anger well inside me was deep. At the core of it, I wished I’d hurt Judge Colby more.
“I know things, Adelina, but I’d prefer you talk to me about your past.”
I tensed and touched my lurching stomach. It wasn’t a surprise that Rocco may know that I’d hurt my father. The fact that he hadn’t confronted me with it made me appreciate him more. But did it make him nervous?
“It’s my job to make sure you’re safe and happy. All right?” Rocco said. The sincerity in his face warmed my chest.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
He kissed both my cheeks and left with Rick. It was only then that I realized I didn’t get a chance to talk to him about Marjorie.
I wasn’t wrong to trust Rocco, was I? He’d been so thoroughly angered by the truth about Judge Colby being withheld. Angry on my behalf . Was that friendship or genuine care for me? It was just so confusing, but I had to try and trust him. Cassidy was right, after all. I had held myself back from many friendships because I’d struggled to trust people. You have to let this Marjorie concern go . Rocco had said he’d be faithful to me, and I didn’t have any reason at this point not to trust him.
So, after taking a deep breath to calm myself, I went to the bathroom upstairs, which had everything I needed already stocked.
As I cleaned up, I tried to come up with a plan on how to talk about Judge Colby’s release with Mama. He’d been a menacing presence that had tainted our every day when he was in our lives. We had both done everything her parents had asked, but they hadn’t kept their word. And now Judge Colby was free to hurt someone else, or even us. She had to know.
I sat on the bed and called my grandfather first. He answered almost right away.
“Hello, Adelina,” he said politely when he answered.
“Hello, Mr. Belfiore,” I said, my tone clipped. “We need to talk.”
He sighed. “What is it now?”
“What do you mean by that?” I snapped.
“You called me, and from the tenor of your voice, you’re being rude. Did something happen with Rocco?”
My heart ached. He was more concerned about Rocco than me. “Is that all you care about? Rocco?”
“I’m asking about Rocco because you’re with him and now calling home. You’ll first adjust your tone, and then tell me what you’re upset about respectfully.”
For the last eight years I’d had to walk on eggshells. I could never express my anger, but the situation with my father had me at my end and I couldn’t reel in my feelings. “I just found out from the press that Judge Colby is out of jail.” My voice was laced with accusation and anger. But I braced myself for my grandfather’s usual aloof disinterest.
“I see,” he finally said in an even tone. “And what do you want?”
I clenched my jaw. “You see? What do I want? Is that all you have to say?”
“Jail is not forever,” he quipped and scoffed down the line.
“Not forever?” I repeated, raising my voice. “You lied and said he’d be charged for his crimes—”
“I told you I’d keep you out of jail for attacking him, which I did. If you keep speaking offensively to me, I’ll end this call.”
He had broken his promise. Why should I uphold mine? The urge to lash out and walk away was strong, but my immediate concern was for Mama’s safety. “You know I believed you had done more. I’ve kept my end of our bargain. You lied to me, and that’s the truth. Call my mother and tell her to expect my call,” I demanded in a terse tone.
“Insolent. Childish. You’re turning into Lorelei, and I will not allow it,” he barked. “Apologize or I’m ending this call.”
I pursed my lips. “Sorry,” I said in a flat tone.
“Now, I understand you’re angry and I’ll allow you to speak to your mother, but you need to understand that some things happened that were beyond even my control. We saved you, Lorelei, and Jacob; that’s what we did. You need to gain control over your emotions, and don’t call me about your father again,” he hissed and hung up on me.
I took deep breaths to calm down. My mind went on autopilot, bringing up the many soothing ways I’d always used to cover up for my grandparents’ indifference. But I couldn’t get past the nonchalant way my grandfather had handled the worst time of my life. Jail’s not forever? It would have been if they let me and my mother fight him in court…Mama! His release will devastate her.
I had to make sure she was safe. That’s what mattered. I dialed her number.
“Adelina?” she said when she answered.
Relief engulfed me. “Mama?” I breathed, my voice trembling. “How are you?”
“I’m…I’m better, thanks. But you sound upset. Did something happen?” she asked.
I cleared my throat. “I…I don’t know how to tell you this, but Judge Colby…He’s out of jail, Mama.”
The line went silent. I broke out in a sweat. A few more minutes passed, and I finally whispered, “Mama, you there?”
“Yes, Adelina. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. You had your graduation…My parents convinced me that knowing he wasn’t in jail would disturb your studies.”
I ground my teeth and gripped the phone hard enough to hurt my hand. My grandparents had lied . They only did what worked for them. “When?”
“Eric’s been out of jail for about seven months—”
“Yeah, almost a year,” I said, my voice raised. “How could you keep this from me—”
“He’s been gone for years. Besides, my parents have restraining orders—”
I snorted. “I doubt it. A restraining order would be on record. He’s judging again. Have you checked to see if it’s there—”
“What’s this, Adelina?” Mama said indignantly. “I will not stay on a call with you attacking us. The restraining order is real; Glenn showed me the papers. He also has security outside the house. My parents didn’t lie about it. Eric…he hasn’t tried to contact me. He never came to college or contacted you once, right?”
I took off my shoes. “Not that I know of.”
“Because it never happened. Eric signed the divorce papers. I’ve never heard a word from him in eight years. Trust me, if he was still thinking of doing something, he would have done it. He’s moved on.”
Mama was certain, but I wasn’t. Judge Colby was a cunning piece of work. He’d bide his time. Now that my life was public, he’d need his image to remain intact.
“How are you feeling?’ I asked.
“Better. Honestly, I needed a break. I’ve been stressed out, and I agreed with my parents. You needed time together without my influence.”
My heart hurt. She really believed she deserved to lose contact with me.
“It’s your safety that matters to me, Adelina. Eric never liked being backed in a corner and the press alone may very well do it.” I could hear her panic that plagued my childhood when they were together.
I ground my teeth. It was the broken record that almost destroyed our relationship. Her overwhelming concern about making his life easier. Fuck him .
“Where are you now?” she asked, changing the subject.
“Cannes,” I answered abruptly.
“That’s very public. Eric would never risk making a scene. Don’t worry.”
I rolled my eyes. “He’s still out of jail. What should we do?”
“There’s nothing we can do. We’re on a path. It must play out.” Mama sounded like Mr. Marini. “I’ll update my parents, you don’t need to call them.”
I snorted. “Why bother? They lied.”
“They did what was best for all of us. I don’t want people treating me differently. It took years to get back into society. You need to forget about your father. Let it go.”
She was telling me what she never could do.
“We’re going out tonight, so I must go. I’ll see you hopefully next week. Okay. Bye. I love you. Bye.” She spoke in a rapid stream of words.
“I love you, too, Mama,” I got most of it out before the call disconnected. I glanced at my laptop and considered looking him up, but stopped myself. If I see him, it will become real . I wasn’t ready for it to be.
Mama seemed fine about his release.
So why don’t I feel relieved?
Tonight was the premiere showing with a screening of the film and a panel discussion afterward. I had to get ready. Isla unzipped the dress bag on the garment rack. There were four to choose from, but the final one she’d brought out was the showstopper—an Atelier Versace black sheer mesh cut fitted backless gown. The stiletto sandals were a stylish patent leather that added more to my height. It fit my curves and had a very low back. My skin heated as she showed me how to put on the strapless lifts that were to be my bra. “What if my breasts fall out?”
“I promise they won’t.” She stood back, beaming. “You look like a star.”
She next showed me how to angle my body before the mirror on the red carpet. It seemed like a lot of work to spend a few hours at a show, but it was for the media and press. I’d watched enough bad moments online to know I didn’t want to be one of them. Rocco wasn’t a superstar, but he had celebrity status, and I had to be conscious of it. I never had a reason to look myself up online and never considered making it a habit.
Our wedding was soon. A nervousness went through me along with a bunch of worries, but I put them away. Tonight was for Rocco, and I wanted to be there for him as he’d been there for me. He spent every day with me and gone out of his way to make me happy. While I’d resisted at first, I’d warmed to his presence in my life—it was impossible not to.
Isla added accessories, earrings, a necklace, and wedge sandals. She made up my face to appear sun-kissed to complete the posh bohemian look. I had to laugh when I checked myself out. If my fourteen-year-old self could see me now….
Isla was about to leave when I touched her arm. “Can I ask you something?”
She grinned. “Of course.”
I lifted my brows. “What am I supposed to do there?”
She hesitated, but then said, “Well…usually do press, you’ll watch the movie, more press, and after that is the party. Be careful there.”
My brows rose. “What do you mean?”
She hid her eyes. “Not all of them are Rocco’s friends. His ex, Marjorie, will be there, and they recently broke up. I’m just telling you so you can prepare yourself.”
I fidgeted. Were they in love? I wanted to ask, but was scared to hear the answer.
Her hand clasped over mine. “Please don’t tell him I mentioned that. He will try to be there for you, but people can be flaky sometimes. Never take anyone at the party seriously, and don’t take anything offered from anyone. Okay?”
It was what I needed to hear, and I was grateful she was so candid. “Thank you, Isla.”
She and the stylist added some finishing touches, and we all left the room. Out front was a new beefy bodyguard who Isla introduced as Zane. “Nice to meet you.”
“Zane will be near you at all times,” Isla added.
He held the door open to the limousine and we climbed in. I was excited seeing all the limos lined up to leave the hotel. I instantly thought of Cassidy and the many times she’d attended similar events with her parents. I took out my phone and sent her a text.
Adelina: I’m at Cannes for a movie premiere.
Cassidy: Get out! I should’ve gone. What movie?
Adelina: The Age of Sin.
Cassidy: Lots of buzz about it. It’s a must-watch for me.
Adelina: Rocco’s one of the producers on the film.
Cassidy: Oh, yeah, I read something about it. That’s exciting. I wish him all the best. So, what are you wearing?
I asked Isla to take a photo of me in the designer gown. She waited until I’d adjusted my fall of curls back from my shoulders, repositioned the rhinestone black and onyx necklace, then had me pose, showing off the split in the leg and high heels.
Cassidy: Holy shit! You look damn hot!
She added a row of fire emojis.
Cassidy: What does the back look like?
Adelina: It’s mostly backless and stops just above my butt.
It was more skin than I ever showed outside of the bedroom.
Cassidy: That’s going out in every press. I’m going to repost it everywhere! How are you?
I took a deep breath. There was still something bothering me.
Adelina: Marjorie, his ex, will be there tonight. She said they were in love.
Cassidy: So what? He’s with you now. If she had a chance, you’d already know it.
I wish I could believe it to be so.
Rocco didn’t react when the press had mentioned it, but it would be different seeing them together tonight. And if I was honest with myself, Cassidy could be wrong. He could still be in contact with her and had only told me we were exclusive so I would drop it. No. That doesn’t sound like him. But that didn’t stop the alarm bells from going off in my head. We were arranged and for the sake of appearances that he’s been with me. What if I’m the other woman here? What if he’s still together with her in secret and I’m just his burden?
“Adelina, it’s time,” Isla said.
Adelina: I have to go.
Cassidy: I can’t wait to see you. I miss you like crazy.
My heart felt full.
Adelina: I miss you, too.
We pulled up in the row of limos outside a glass-paneled building with a red carpet lined with the press, attendees, and crowds of tourists gated off, waiting to see the stars at the event. My nerves went jittery, but then I saw Rocco step out from the awning, and my heart lifted.