3. Lana

3

LANA

T he next few days are quiet, but I don't trust it. Any moment, Rinella will pull another stunt and I'll have to face the police again. As much as I enjoy looking at and bantering with Detective Lutz, I'm sick and tired of all this bullshit. So I don't let up. I continue to be on alert and prepared. But it makes for long, tiring days.

I step out of my car, exhaustion seeping into my bones. The D'Amato estate looms before me like a fortress. I grew up here with my parents and brothers. With my parents deceased from a car accident, my brother now rules the roost, but as it's our family home, I stay, although I sometimes want to leave and live on my own.

I make my way to the front door, my mind still spinning on the craziness Rinella has brought on us. No, not him. Elio is at fault for not marrying Rinella's daughter. I get why he reneged on the arrangement. After all, who am I to get in the way of true love? But it's been so frustrating to be reeling from the day's events.

Detective Lutz's face flashes in my mind. I clench my jaw, frustrated by the unwelcome attraction that sparks every time I see him. He's the enemy , I remind myself, a threat to everything we've built.

I enter the foyer and make my way to the stairs, wanting to go up to my room to freshen up before dinner.

"No hello to your family?"

I glance toward the living room to see Elio standing in the entryway. He looks ridiculously happy. It adds to the irritation prickling my nerves. Not that I'm not happy for him, but it highlights how alone and empty I feel.

I glance in the room and see Piper cuddled up on the couch with Elysse. The picture-perfect family. It makes my stomach churn.

"I didn't realize you were home," I say by way of answer.

"You sounded like you were at your limit."

I frown. "I'm handling things."

He laughs. "Then why all the desperate calls?"

Grr.

"Join us for a drink before dinner," Piper says from the couch.

"No drinks for you," Elio says to her, and I don't know how it's possible, but his expression is even more saccharinely, disgustingly happy.

Piper's cheeks flush. "Juice for me, but Lana might like something stronger."

I look between the two of them. Something's up. I suspect what it might be, but I'm not in the mood to hear it at this moment.

"I'm going up to my room. But at dinner, I want to hear all about your trip."

"I had fun with my grandma and grandpa," Elysse chimes in. "But they had to go back to England."

"Glad to hear it." I give her a thumbs-up. I look at Elio. "See you at dinner."

Up in my room, I slip out of my heels, take off my blazer, and go to my bathroom to splash water on my face and pull my attitude together. I don't think I succeed, but I can't avoid dinner. Not when there's so much going on that Elio needs to be caught up on. I slip my shoes back on and return downstairs for dinner.

When I reach the dining room, Matteo drapes an arm over my shoulders. "Looks like you need a drink. I'll fix you something strong."

He heads to the bar in the corner as I make my way to my seat. I accept the glass Matteo hands me, downing half of it in one gulp. The burn of alcohol does little to dull the agitation gnawing at my insides. How long can we keep this up? How long before Detective Lutz and his partner find something we can't explain away?

And why can't I get those damn blue eyes out of my head?

I watch Elio and his family. Elysse's giggles fill the room. Piper and Elio's faces are glowing with contentment. It's like Elio found his missing pieces and now he's whole again.

I worry I'll never be whole again. What if they're right and Lazaro is dead? Since the day he went missing, a piece of me has been empty. My parents weren't saints, but even their loss feels like a hole.

At the time, Elio and I both threw ourselves into the family business, using work as a shield against the grief from our losses. We'd become experts at avoidance, filling our days with meetings, deals, and damage control.

But now, watching Elio with Piper and Elysse, that has changed. The joy radiating from my brother is undeniable. Piper's return has breathed new life into him, softening the hard edges grief had carved into his soul.

And where does that leave me?

I feel a pang of guilt at the bitterness creeping into my thoughts. I should be happy for Elio. He deserves happiness. But witnessing it makes me feel more alone.

Matteo sits across from me, a mischievous glint in his eye. "So, lovebirds, how was the honeymoon? Did you even leave the hotel room?"

Elio chokes on his wine while Piper's cheeks flush a deep crimson. I can't help but smirk at their embarrassment. They brought it on themselves with their lovey-dovey glances.

Elio throws a bread roll at his cousin. "Jealous, Matty?"

Matteo catches the roll. "Of you? Never. I prefer my freedom."

"Everyone knows Matteo is one-and-done when it comes to women."

He grins. "What can I say? I like women."

"One and done what?" Elysse asks.

Elio clears his throat.

"Uh…" Piper seems at a loss.

"Playing games," I answer.

Elysse's brow furrows, surely not understanding why Matteo only plays a game with one woman. "I learned how to play Rummy. Grandma taught me."

"Are you as killer at it as you are in Go Fish?" Matteo asks.

"I won three times."

"We need to take her to Vegas, Cuz," Matteo jokes with Elio.

Elio reaches over and takes Piper's hand. "We have some news."

My stomach clenches, knowing what's coming and feeling the need to guard against more happy news. God, I'm a bitch.

Matteo's brows lift and he glances at me. I shrug.

"We're expecting," Elio says.

"Expecting what? Trouble?" Matteo jokes again.

"A baby, you knucklehead." Elio shakes his head.

Elysse bounces in her seat. "I'm going to have a brother or sister."

"Do you just share the air and get knocked up?" Matteo bites the roll Elio had thrown at him.

Elio clears his throat and Piper again blushes. I roll my eyes, pushing the food around on my plate. The jovial mood is grating on me. I can't shake the image of Detective Lutz's piercing gaze, or the constant threat his investigation poses to our family.

Clearing my throat, I turn to Elio. "Have you spoken to Vincenzo Rinella yet?"

The chatter at the table dies down. Matteo looks at me like I've gone mad.

Elio's smile falters, his expression turning cold. "Thank you for your congratulations, little sister."

Dammit. I'm the worst. "I'm sorry." I turn to Piper. "My mind has been preoccupied. Congratulations." I poke at my food again, the silence at the table growing awkward.

Finally, Elio says, "We just got back. I'll reach out tomorrow."

I set my fork down with more force than necessary. "We don't have the luxury of time, Elio. These anonymous tips are becoming more frequent. We need to smooth things over with the Rinellas before this escalates further."

Matteo nods at Elio, his earlier playfulness replaced by concern. "She's right. We can't afford to have both the cops and the Rinellas breathing down our necks."

Elio's jaw clenches. "I'm aware of the situation. I'll handle it."

"When?" I press, ignoring the warning bells clanging in my head. Elio is the head of the family. He controls my involvement in the business as well as much of my purse strings. He could toss me out of the business, the house, and out of my allowance. Then what? And yet, that doesn't make me shut up. "While you've been off enjoying your honeymoon, I've been running myself ragged trying to keep this family afloat."

"Lana. Could you discuss this after dinner?" Piper glances at Elysse. In the past, we talked about business all the time at dinner. I guess now with a child at the table, that is going to change. But why? My dad talked business all the time when Elio, Lazaro, and I were kids.

I turn to her, my frustration bubbling over. "With all due respect, Piper, this is family business."

The hurt that flashes across her face makes me regret my words instantly, but I can't back down now.

Elio's eyes harden. "You forget yourself, Lana. You will not disrespect Piper."

I start to open my mouth, but he shuts me up by raising his palm toward me in a "stop" gesture. "If this is too much for you to handle, there is a solution."

He's threatening to kick me out of the business.

"I didn't mean disrespect. But maybe you're the one who's put the business on the back burner. We could crash and burn, and you're lost in your bubble of love."

"Let it drop." Elio's voice dips into lethal darkness.

"Let it drop? Are you serious right now?"

"For Christ's sake, Lana. Can we not have one meal without your self-centered drama?"

I feel his words like a punch in the gut. I push my plate away. "Drama? Any moment, you could be arrested."

Elysse's eyes water. "Is Daddy going to jail?"

Piper gives me a scathing glare. Deep inside, I know I'm off the rails, but I can't seem to rein myself in. I understand the meaning of "to snap".

"Why am I the only one who cares about this?" I demand.

Matteo shakes his head at me. "That's not fair. We all care."

I turn on him. "Do you? Because from where I'm sitting, I'm the only one losing sleep over keeping us out of prison."

Matteo's normally jovial attitude drops. "You're not the only one working here. You're not Atlas holding up this family, this business."

I've offended him now too.

"Lana," Elio warns, but I'm too far gone to stop.

"No, Elio. You don't get to shut me up. Not when I've been the one carrying the weight of this family." I stand. "Do you have any idea what it's like to be constantly looking over my shoulder, wondering if today's the day it all comes crashing down?"

The silence that follows is deafening. Everyone's eyes are on me. Elio is about to take what little I have in my life away from me. I've ruined a relationship with Piper and Elysse before they've had a chance to grow.

And yet I go for broke. "If Lazaro were here, he'd be saying the same thing. Would you be dismissing him as easily as you're dismissing me? Is it because I'm a woman?"

Hurt fills Elio's eyes, telling me I've struck a nerve.

I keep steaming forward. "I'm happy for you, Elio, getting your family and happily ever after. I respect you as the head of the family, head of the business, but the world and the family don't revolve around you."

He opens his mouth, but this time, I hold my hand up to stop him. "It's easy for you to think that. Everyone does your bidding. You've decided Lazaro is dead, so you don't have to think about him. You all but patronize me, even though you have to know deep down that I'm right. Have I not earned respect?"

The room falls silent, my words hanging heavily in the air. Elio's face softens, a mix of pity and frustration etched across his features. He stands slowly, approaching me like I'm a wounded animal. Perhaps I am.

"Lana. I'm sorry if you feel dismissed. I know you work hard, and you've been a great asset?—"

"I've been?" Here it is. He's going to relieve me of my duties to the family and the business.

"You are a great asset. I don't dismiss that. But as far as Lazaro goes, we need to accept that he's gone. Like Mom and Dad."

I recoil. "How can you say that? He's out there somewhere, Elio. I know it."

Elio reaches for my hand, but I jerk away. "It's been three years. We've looked everywhere. The police?—"

"The police?" I scoff. "The same incompetent fools who couldn't find their own asses with both hands? They never even tried to find him!"

"And we've been looking ever since," he counters. "But at some point, we have to face reality."

His words are ripping me in two. "Reality? You want to talk about reality? The reality is that you've given up. On Lazaro, on this family, on everything we've built."

Elio's eyes flash with anger. "I haven't given up on anything."

"Haven't you?" I gesture wildly. "You're so wrapped up in your perfect little world with Piper that you can't see what's happening around you. Rinella is making us a laughingstock. Lazaro is alive and may need our help, but you're content to let him rot wherever he is."

"That's enough!" Elio roars, slamming his fist on the table. The dishes rattle, and Elysse whimpers, burying her face in Piper's side.

Piper stands, pulling Elysse with her. "Elio."

He glances at them. His expression drops like he's been sucker punched. "I'm sorry. I won't hurt anyone."

I'm about to contradict him, saying everything he's spewing now hurts me, when I realize that he means physically. His outburst must have triggered memories in Elysse of abuse from her stepfather.

"Come on, sweetie. Let's go find dessert." Piper leads Elysse out of the room.

I suck in a breath, knowing at any moment, I'm going to feel like the worst person in the world for this outburst. But I don't want them to see it.

"It's okay, Elio. If you want to give up, I'll do it myself. I'll find Lazaro. And if the only thing keeping us out of jail is flirting with a detective, I'll do it too. You live your fairy tale."

"I haven't given up on anything. I'm trying to protect what we have left."

"We have nothing left if we don't have each other. And Lazaro is still a part of this family, whether you choose to acknowledge it or not." Seriously, I need to take my leave. Why am I still standing here? Any moment, Elio might have me committed. I don't doubt that he could. He has a great deal of influence, even if he doesn't want to use it.

Elio's expression turns worried, even confused. "What is going on?" He glances at Matteo as if he might have the answer, but Matteo shrugs.

"I just… I can't sit here and pretend everything's okay when it's not. I can't watch you play happy family while our brother is out there somewhere, alone and forgotten."

"Lana—"

I shake my head and storm out of the dining room, leaving my half-eaten meal and stunned silence behind me. I'm alone in this fight, but I won't give up. Not on Lazaro or our business.