CHAPTER 6: SHE WANTS THE TRUTH

Reagan didn't return to the house that night. The headlines of the news reports the following day were ruthless.

Reagan Royce had been spotted at a private nightclub the previous night, highly intoxicated and surrounded by hot, half-naked women.

Rivera scoffed. For once, his behavior didn't bother her. She had more important things to worry about.

Later that afternoon, Luke arrived. Reagan still hadn’t returned.

“How are you settling in?” he asked as they sat across from each other in the sunroom.

“Is that what we’re calling this now? Settling in?"

“Did he hurt you?”

Rivera hesitated. “Not physically.”

“He can be intense. Let me know if you need anything. Reagan asked me to move into one of the mansions. He and I will be working closely, so we’ll be seeing each other more often.”

“Work?”

“Yes, I’ll be around to make sure he doesn’t cross any lines with you.”

Protect her from Reagan? That unsettled her more than it comforted her.

“You’ve never cared what happens to me. You've been avoiding me. You won't take my calls. And now you’re here, but you still won’t look at me.”

“You shouldn’t be bringing this up."

“That’s what you said in Italy too every time I ask you anything real. Two years, Luke. We lived together for two years. You can’t pretend that place doesn’t exist.”

“It doesn’t matter anymore."

“It does to me. Because that’s where everything went wrong.”

“I'm trying to keep you safe here.”

“By lying?”

“Yes, because if you knew...” He stopped himself.

“If I knew what?” But he said nothing.

“It’s Italy, isn’t it? Whatever you’re hiding, it started there.”

His silence confirmed it.

“Was it about my father? Back then, every time I mention him, you go quiet.”

“Stop River,” Luke pleaded. He always called her River whenever he was trying to pacify her.

“No, you don’t get to tell me to stop anymore. Not after two years of silence.”

Luke finally met her eyes. “There are some tales that are better left untold.”

“Did something happen there?”

“Yes,” he admitted.

“What?”

“I can’t tell you.”

“Why? Because of him?”

“Yes.”

“He doesn’t want me asking questions. He went mad when I mentioned my father.”

"He’s trying to protect you.”

“From what?!”

“From the truth and from your father.”

“My father wouldn’t hurt anyone,” she said weakly.

Luke opened his mouth then closed it again.

“That silence? That’s your answer, isn’t it? You said you came to check if I need anything. I do need something.”

He looked at her curious.

“I found something in his study. A chart, hand-drawn. My father’s name was on it. And another name, Jordan.”

Luke froze. 

“A line connects them. Then another line to Palermo.”

“Stop,” Luke said sharply.

Rivera stood. “Stop? Is that the only word you guys can say? My father is missing,” she reminded him.

“You shouldn’t be looking into this. It’s not safe.”

“Safe?” she scoffed. “I’m locked in a mansion with a man who thinks he owns me and you’re telling me this is where the danger is?”

Luke stood as well and stepped closer. “Rivera, listen to me. Some things are buried for a reason.”

“My father isn’t a thing,” she snapped. “He’s a person. And he wouldn’t just disappear.”

“You don’t know him the way you think you do."

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“He’s not the man you remember. And if you keep digging, you’ll wish you hadn’t.”

“You’re protecting Reagan.”

“I’m protecting you.”

“From my own father? That’s insane.”

“You need to trust me. Stop asking about Jordan. Stop looking for your father. I'll find him for you and make sure he's fine but you must promise me that you cannot meet him.”

A knock sounded at the door. They both turned.

Isabel came in. “Mr. Royce has returned. He's asking for his wife.” Rivera nodded and she left.

Luke came even closer to Rivera.

“Promise me River,” he said quickly.

“What?”

“After I find Robert, you won't meet him. And if Reagan asks about Italy or Jordan, tell him nothing.”

“And my father?”

“Especially about him.”

Before she could ask another question, the door opened again. This time, it was Reagan.

He glared at them in utter confusion. They were standing too close to each other.

Then his eyes dropped to Rivera’s phone still in her hand. On the screen was the photo of the link chart.

The room went deathly silent. Reagan’s jaw tightened.

“Luke,” he said calmly, far too calmly, “leave us.”

Rivera’s heart beat so loudly that she feared they could hear it. Luke didn’t move. 

“That wasn’t a request,” Reagan emphasized.

Luke deliberately stepped even closer to Rivera.

“You don’t get to isolate her,” Luke replied.

“This doesn’t concern you anymore,” Reagan warned him.

“It does if she’s involved."

Reagan exhaled slowly, the way a man does when he’s choosing restraint.

“Leave,” Reagan said again.

“There's a thin line between protection and imprisonment. You don't own her just because you took the fall for her once. If you hurt her, I won’t stay still.”

Luke held his gaze for another second, long enough for the warning to land then he stepped back.

The door closed behind him.

Reagan didn’t look away from Rivera. His eyes dropped to her phone then back to her face.

“How long have you been looking into things that don’t concern you?” he asked.

"What did Luke mean that you took the fall for me once?"