So far I’ve had no luck even getting an interview, but I haven’t given up yet. Sonia, who works the front desk at the hostel, says she might be able to get me a job at a hostel in Barcelona. Which would be perfect if I had any intention of going there soon. I know it was part of my original plan, but now that Marco is in the picture, I think I’m going to stay here in Lisbon until I absolutely have to go. It’s just a matter of what comes first—me running out of time on the visa, or me running out of money.
At least I made a bit when I was working for Luciano. It was a complete nonsense job and created for my benefit, I know that, and it made things so fucking weird between Luciano and I, but at least it helped keep me afloat for a little bit.
I haven’t seen Luciano for three weeks, but I’ll be seeing him tonight. The thought makes my stomach fizz with nerves. I take in a deep breath and open the bathroom door.
“Wow,” Marco says as I step out, his eyes glued to my chest. “I mean, wow.”
I just out my hips, hands in the air. “You like?”
“Very much so,” he says, coming over and wrapping his hands around my waist, putting his mouth at my neck. “In fact, I think perhaps we should call the whole thing off and stay here.”
I giggle. “No chance. You bought me this gorgeous dress, the least I can do is show it off.” He pulls back, eyes still locked on my cleavage. “You think it’s too much?”
He gives me a salacious grin. “Not even a little.”
I pull my hair up off my head, holding it into a top knot.
“Should I do my hair up or down?”
“Up,” he says. “No, down.”
I laugh “Okay, how about I compromise.”
I go back into the bathroom and pile half my hair on top of my head, leaving loose waves down, then do one more slick of red lipstick, and then we’re ready to go.
It’s not lost on me that Marco’s father said I looked like a whore in red lipstick. I don’t think he’s going to be there, but even so, cameras will be and I want to smile at each one while hanging onto Marco’s arm, a real fuck you to Tomás Ribeiro.
“Our ride is here,” Marco tells me as he glances at his phone, and we head down the stairs of his luxurious apartment building. He’s hired a driver for the event, and we’re picked up in a sleek black car, the driver stone-faced and silent.
“Where is the ceremony?” I ask Marco, as we pull away from his condo on the river.
“It’s being held in a former queen’s palace,” he says. “But first we have to pick up Luciano.”
I still. “What? Why?”
“Because he’s my ticket inside. Which means he’s your ticket inside.”
“You’re a sports agent…”
“I’m his agent. Until I get other clients. Which is why a night like tonight is so important for networking. Which reminds me, please do not take it personally if I’m not around much tonight. I have to use this evening to my advantage.”
Great. It’s going to be just like when I went with Luciano to the horse show. At least Marco is warning me ahead of time.
“Don’t worry,” he tells me, noting my sour expression. “I’m sure my brother will keep you company.”
So, not only is Luciano going to get in the car with us, cramming me in the middle seat, but I’m supposed to hang around him all night like I need a babysitter? The last time I saw Luciano, things got very weird and awkward. Mainly my fault, but still it resulted in him basically firing me.
Which was probably for the best. I know, I’ve replayed that morning a lot in my head.
What happened.
How it happened.
How my honesty with him took things too far.
Made things too complicated.
The truth is…I don’t trust myself around Luciano. As much as I tell myself that I deserve Marco, that my feelings for Luciano are dangerous, there’s a pull to him that I can’t ignore. I fall into his dark eyes and I can’t seem to climb out. He makes me want to pull the mask off the both of us, let us sink in our flaws, open our wounds and see what good can come out of it.
He makes me feel less of a ghost, like I’m something tangible and real.
That scares me like nothing else.
“Are you okay?” Marco asks me, as the car comes to a stop outside Luciano’s place. His eyes are directed at my arms where I’ve been digging my fingernails in. I hadn’t even noticed.
I quickly rub at my arms and give him a half-smile. “I’m fine. I suppose I’m just nervous about the night.”
“Don’t be,” he says, just as I see Luciano leave his building and come around the car.
He opens the door, meeting my eyes for just a second, before sliding into the seat beside me. If he was surprised to see me here, he doesn’t show it.
The energy in this tight space changes in an instant, the air feeling thick with tension, as I’m literally stuck between the Ribeiro brothers, Marco on one side, Luciano on the other.
I close my eyes briefly, breathing in the salt and pine scent of Luciano, feeling it hit differently this time. It’s intoxicating and saturated with everything I want and I’m not supposed to have.
I’ve missed him.
“Haven’t seen you in a while,” Luciano says to me, his voice low and smooth, sinking into my bones.
“I know,” I tell
