CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

“ H ello, darling!” Rosa Ferrero cried as she flew across the room into Sofia’s arms. “Stefano told us how he got you out of the Moretti prison. I’m so glad you’re okay. We were so worried.”

Sofia hugged her mother as she frowned at Stefano. Why had he lied to her parents? He returned her stare darkly, so she kept her lips shut.

“ Ciao, madre ,” she greeted her mother in Italian.

The driver had arrived at sundown as promised, and she’d been told to put on a black mask. She did so, knowing she had no choice given the additional security in the vehicle; besides, she knew the Moretti team was following them. She trusted them, even if she was terrified.

“Was it horrible in there?”

No.

“I bet they were frightful to you, my darling. We were so worried, weren’t we, Leonardo?”

Sofia turned to face her father. God, she had so many things she wanted to say to him. To yell at him. How had he lied to her, failed to protect her or fight to free her?

“Very. It’s good to have you home, daughter.” Her father laid a hand on her shoulder and lowered his eyes.

She’d never noticed how lacking in affection he was. Now that she had spent time with other vampire males who loved with their whole hearts, she was becoming so much more aware of what her previous life was lacking. Sure, romantic love differed from parental love, but where was his hug? Where was his anguish at her safety?

Even her mother’s emotions felt manufactured. Although Sofia suspected Rosa had been controlled for so long, never allowed to show or speak up about how she truly felt, that her mother had probably lost touch with any genuine feelings of her own.

Everything was an act approved by her father, and in some cases, even the rebel leaders.

“Good to see you, Father.” Sofia forced a smile.

“You look well. Doesn’t she, Stefano?”

“ Molto bella, ” Stefano replied, smiling at her.

While Sofia swallowed down her gag reflex, her mother’s hand flew to her chest as she gushed over the respected leader’s compliment of her daughter’s beauty.

How did I not see all this before?

How had Stefano fooled them all, even while showing his crazy?

As he stood smiling at her, her mother fussed. Sofia’s memories of what he did to her came flooding back. She felt her stomach turn. What would her parents think if they knew? Would they be horrified?

She cast her eyes over to her father. Leonardo was a proud and power-hungry man. She hadn’t seen it before. Tonight, he was dressed in high-quality clothing, all paid for by the money he earned as a loyal employee of the rebellion. He looked like a wealthy businessman in his blue dress shirt, tailored Italian suit, and polished shoes. His tight jaw told her he was stressed and trying to hide it. Her mother was dressed from head to toe in classic black Chanel, looking every bit the proper mate of a respected male.

Neither of them would buck the system. If they knew what Stefano had done to her, they would demand she keep quiet. They would look for something or someone to blame. And that someone would be her.

Had she provoked it?

Had she forced herself on him?

As Sofia stood surrounded by these vampires, she recalled the moment she thought she’d never see her parents again. After tonight, she never would. She swallowed down her disgust and took a moment to acknowledge this was her private farewell to them all. She may hate them right now and not trust any of them, but love took longer to let go of. Being there with them made it real. Her heart started to crumble.

“Benjamin sends his love,” Rosa suddenly said, dropping her eyes. “He couldn’t make it.”

“You’ve heard from him?” she gasped.

“Unfortunately,” Leonardo mumbled.

Her brother had left home after a fight with their father in 1950, over seventy years ago. She’d been told to never ask about him. He’d left and deserted their family. Sofia had believed he might be dead.

“Why...make what?” She frowned, a shiver running up her spine.

Stefano stepped forward and touched her elbow. “Come. Let us have some refreshments.”

Stefano led them through the large, opulent house to an outdoor patio. Around them, millions of fairy lights lit up the garden. She couldn’t help the way her eyes widened at the beauty of it all. Above them, dozens of lanterns hung above a large table laid with silverware and crystal glasses.

Beside her, her mother gasped.

Sofia narrowed her eyes and turned to Stefano. Anyone would think there was a wedding about to take place. Or a vampire mating ceremony.

“What’s the occasion?”