Page 100 of Secrets of the Brother
Protect me? One of our own?
Tears pricked the backs of my eyes.
My father had never been even remotely affectionate, let alone protective of me. Was this what it felt like to have a parent who gave a damn about you?
Barone pulled back. He leaned down to meet my gaze and gave me a warm smile.
I couldn’t help but smile back.
“Hey, don’t hog my future sister-in-law.”
Sister-in-law. They both have me practically married to Enzo and I haven’t even said yes.
The walls were closing in on me.
Shocked, I turned to find Cesare standing close, ready to also give me a hug. As he did, he whispered in my ear, “Your sister’s actions were her own. Remember that. We do.”
Cesare released me and Enzo immediately pulled me into his side.
I was grateful for the extra support, since I wasn’t sure my legs would hold me.
Everything was upside down and topsy-turvy.
Where I expected anger, I received kindness.
Where I should have received tenderness, I experienced only cold cruelty.
When I wanted answers, I only got half-truths and more questions.
Around and around and around I spun.
It was like I was being gaslighted by everyone around me.
No one told me the full truth. Not Enzo. Not my parents. No one.
I desperately wanted to ask about the investigation and what the inspector said, but I knew it was pointless, especially with all three of them in the room. There wasn’t a chance in hell they’d tell me. I would just get the usual platitudes.Don’t worry. It’s being taken care of. It’s for your own good.
Barone and Cesare both said their goodbyes but not before saying they would see me later at the villa for dinner.
Later at the villa. Like one big happy family.
Enzo kissed me on the cheek and crossed to his desk. He gathered the files we had updated throughout the day. Flipping open several of them, he started to sign the top memo with his recognizable sharp, slashing signature, showing his approval of my changes.
I rested my palms on the edge of the desk. Schooling my features, I fought to keep my voice calm. I didn’t want another fight. “I didn’t want to be rude after your father and brother have been so kind, but they mentioned seeing me later for dinner. Since I’ll be at my parents' house, will you give them my excuses?”
Enzo glanced up, but then looked back down at his paperwork. He shifted a finished file to the left stack and opened the next. “You’re not going to your parents' house,” he said brusquely.
The only sound in the office was the scrape of his pen across paper.
I took a deep breath.Don’t overreact. Not yet.
I tried again. “I’m really worn out and need some time alone, so I’d rather not go to the villa for dinner. If that’s okay? If you could just drop me off at home instead?”
This time he didn’t look up. “We don’t have to have dinner with them. I’ll make something for just the two of us, and we’ll eat it in my suite.”
I’ve always found it especially jarring when my heart raced in a calm atmosphere. It was as if being out of sync with the energy in the environment added to the hysteria of the moment.
I licked my dry lips as I dug my thumbnail into the thick varnish of the desk, wondering if my nail would leave a scratch mark. “You’re supposed to take me home at the end of the day. We had a deal.”
