Page 16 of Thin Lines (Donati Bloodlines 2)

“Tell you what?”

“You know what,” he spat.

“You smell like whiskey, Cal.”

“I drank a bit.”

“You’re drunk.”

“Very,” he agreed. “It is the only way I can handle myown nonsense right now, not to mention the way he parades you around like youbelong to him. You’re just another one of his pretty things, Emmy. He takes youout, shines you up, and shows you off. Drives me fucking crazy.”

Never once did he take his eyes off her.

Then, Calisto reached out and grabbed her. He tuggedon her arm, forcing her away from the bed like he didn’t want her touching itor something. The force of his fingers biting into her skin was enough to makeher whine.

“You’re hurting me,” Emma said, pulling on her arm. Hedidn’t let go. “Stop it, Cal.”

Calisto dropped Emma’s arm instantly, took a big stepback, and threw his hands high. Pain and remorse washed over his features as hetook yet another step away from her. Oddly, she wished he was closer.

“I’m sorry, Emmy. I would never hurt you. I didn’tmean to—”

“What is wrong with you?”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked, choking onthe last word.

“About what?”

“The baby you lost after the wedding. The goddamn baby,Emma!”

Emma’s heart clenched painfully, and she shot acautious look at the open doorway. “Would you lower your voice? It’s bad enoughyou’re in here, but you don’t get to barge in and demand answers at the samefucking time, Cal!”

“It was mine, wasn’t it?”

“Calisto, don’t.”

“Wasn’t it?”

Emma pressed her lips together, wanting to hide herfrown and her own pain. “How did you know about the miscarriage?”

“Cynthia.”

“I don’t understand. How does Affonso’s daughter knowanything about that? She wasn’t home when it happened.”

Calisto waved a hand like it didn’t matter. “Sheoverheard something. She told me tonight. I figured it out myself. I’m not afool, Emma. I can do math. It was mine. And you didn’t tell me.”

Emma wished the dull pain stabbing at her lungs andheart would go away. She didn’t like how Calisto’s grief was hurting her. Shedidn’t want to see that. It wouldn’t make her life or choices any easier.

“Go back downstairs. Get someone to drive you home,”she told him.

Calisto shook his head. “No. You answer me.”

“You’ll get me beaten black and blue if Affonso findsyou in here with me.”

“He won’t hit you.”

“I don’t want to find out if he ever will,” shehissed. “Get out!”

“He won’t,” Calisto repeated, slurring slightly. Hiseyes were glassy, and he didn’t seem entirely focused as he stared at her. Emmacouldn’t remember ever seeing Calisto drunk, and they had drank alcohol a fewtimes in Vegas. “He did enough damage the first time that he knows I won’t standfor him to do it a second time. He’s a fucking coward, but he won’t do itagain, I know.”