Painted Sins

years had passed, but those dark eyes were unforgettable. Lorenzo Caruso. Th

voice sending chills through me

sorry, sir. You must have me mistaken for someone

e actress, aren't you? But we both know the truth." He stepped closer, a

sed by how calm I sounded despite the fear coursing thr

, his eyes locked on mine. "I

ame, my appearance, even moved to a different state. Yet here he was,

dropping the act. There was n

nished on our wedding day without a word. I want to know why you've been hiding all these years. An

g. There was nowhere left to go. "Lorenzo, pl

ria. You chose to leave me at the altar, humiliated in front of everyone. You ch

e. He didn't understand. He couldn't under

head, trapping me. The familiar scent of his cologne-sandalwood and spi

, his voice low and intense. "Make me un

I was tempted to tell him everything-the threats, the secret I'd uncovere

ce wavered. "Lorenzo, please. Just l

t every day of the last five years trying to forget you,

m, but he caught my wrist, h

this time," he said. "Not

th in," I pleaded. "Lorenzo, if you ever loved me, yo

ss, maybe a memory of what we once had.

I never stopped loving you. Even when I hated you for what you

ed for in the past five years. To see him again, to explain, to feel his arm

renzo continued, his voice softer now. "So h

eeting his gaze. "I

reason why I shouldn't take you back to New York right

"You can't! Lorenzo, please. If

t sign of doubt in his confident de

g. A secret so dangerous it would destroy both our families if i

let go entirely. "What secret could possibly be w

puts you in danger. Please, Loren

in his eyes. Then, slowly, he released my wrist

o ask that of you. But I'm begging you, Lorenzo. Walk away. For

st ache. "I can't do that, Aria. Whatever this secret is, whatever danger

I whispered.

h me. "You're wrong. I'm not the same man I was five years ago, Aria. I ha

y burdens. But I knew better. "You don't know what you're offering, Lorenzo. This

he insisted. "He

e wasn't going to let this go, no matter what I said. And

I knew could change everything. "Alright,"

ph in his eyes. "I have a safe

le mistake? Could I trust Lorenzo with the truth after all this time?

h the scent of the sea. Lorenzo guided me to a sleek b

e. Across the street, a figure stepped out of the shadows, their face hidde

t!" I screamed, bu

of gunfire, and Lorenzo crumpl