Chapter 0213

I blink, realizing that I never thought about it, about the question of what I want to be to Kent. And what I want him to be to me.

I mean, Kent is overwhelming — even just learning to be around him is a lot, let alone considering if I want to be with him. I mean,

is that even what I would want, if it was a possibility? Do I want to be more than Kent’s mafia mistress? Do I want to be his

girlfriend? His —

“It’s all right, Fay,” Kent whispers, moving closer to me and putting a gentle hand on my cheek, probably seeing me think it

through and freak out a little bit. “You don’t have to know now.”

“Okay,” I say, biting my lip. “I don’t know — but Kent, I don’t want to live my life in secret. I don’t want to have to scurry around like

a little rat, worried about who is going to find out. I don’t want to have to lie —- and people are going to find out — they already

have!”

“Who?” Kent asks, frowning. I hesitate but he glares at me a little, so I give in.

“Well, Daniel, obviously,” I say and he tilts his head, because he knows by my tone that there’s more. “And...Jerome.”

“Jerome?” Kent asks, surprised.

“Jerome is smarter than you give him credit for,” I say, raising my eyebrows. “He’s...perceptive.”

“He’s also obsessed with you,” Kent mutters angrily, looking away, his expression mildly murderous now. I burst out into a little

laugh now because — well, because I’m not the member of this household who Jerome is actually obsessed with. Kent snaps my

gaze back to me, curious, but I shake my head a little as I smile, letting him know that I’m keeping this secret. He sighs and lets

me.

“Fay,” Kent says quietly after a moment of silence. “I’m sorry.”

My mouth falls open a little bit in shock. An apology? From Kent?

He takes a deep breath. “This hasn’t been fair on you — you're right. We should — and we can - make...changes. Be more

flexible. I don’t want you to feel like I’m ashamed of this. Because I’m not. But Fay,” Kent tilts his head to the side and I see him

worried now. And I know exactly what’s caused it.

“Natalia,” I whisper. And I only mention her because I know that while Alessi is Bianci’s son...Natalia is the real threat here.

“It's...too precarious, Fay,” Kent whispers to me, holding my gaze so that I can see how serious he is. “I am on such shaky

ground with them already. If they find out this — that my relationship with Alden hangs in the balance because of this, with you...”

he shakes his head, letting me see just how close we are to the edge of the cliff.

“Is it that bad?” I ask, worried now. Slowly, he nods.