Chapter 23

Alessandro’s hand is like a lead weight in mine as we stand in front of a crowd of people I don’t know. As his parents drone on about our love for one another, a strange feeling of numbness replaces the sickness I felt earlier. I won’t let what my father did be a noose around my neck. I’m stronger than this. But I’ve been going about it all wrong, trying to fight against them, when what I should do is become one of them so I can take them out from the inside.

I grin with a saccharine sweetness when they notice me and keep my mouth shut unless I’m spoken to directly. It’s all a show, a performance. I’ll do it all for my brother, because I already know without him saying, the sacrifices he’s made for me. Yes, I’m angry with him for keeping shit from me my whole life, but really, this was for our father to tell me, not him. And he’s the one who deserves my anger. So, for now, I’ll keep it all bottled up. Swallow the bitter pill that’s been forced down my throat and harden the fuck up. Until it’s my time to strike .

After food and speeches, Ricky and Maddox escort me back to Maddox’s car to wait for Alex. I’m not even allowed to say goodbye to my brother. But that’s okay, just more ammo for later.

Alessandro walks through the front door with his parents, and they gather in front of our car. His mother waves at me, and I force a tight smile.

“So lovely to meet the girl who’s stolen my boy’s heart,” she gushes, her eyes glassy and cheeks flushed from, I would say, a few too many wines. Yeah, she’s blissfully happy with the man she married. That’s why she drinks herself stupid. I can see right through her fakeness, and I’m sad for her.

Enzo drops his head to kiss my cheek, the same spot he slapped me a couple of hours earlier, and I know it’s not a kind gesture but a reminder of his threat. His hand comes to my elbow to hold me in place so I can’t pull away from him, and his meaty fingers dig into my skin. “Glad your brother could talk some sense into you.” With a self-satisfied look on his face, he withdraws. He thinks he’s won. He can think that all he wants, but I won’t let him win.

Alessandro takes my hand and leads me to the car, opening the door for me to slide into the back seat alongside him. The other two jump in the front. I stare out the window as we drive off, watching his father. He has no idea the enemy he’s made in me tonight, but I blame him every bit as much as my papa. After all, this is his fucked-up business. One that killed my mother, my papa, and trapped me and my brother. He destroyed my family, and now I think it’s time for me to repay the favor.

After we arrive home, Ricky takes my hand as I head down the hall to my bedroom. “You were quiet on the way home.” It’s clear that he’s worried, but he’s just as bad as the rest of them. He hid all of this information from me. And he works for that monster .

“Fuck off, Ricky, don’t act like you give a shit about me now.” I pull out of his grip and storm into my room, slamming the door behind me. It echoes strangely. Like the room is empty, and when I flick on the light, I see why. Everything that was here when I left this afternoon is gone, every item of furniture. I run to the walk-in closet, and it’s bare. The ensuite as well.

With my heart racing in my chest, I flick the light back off and slide down to the floor, hugging my knees to my chest protectively. I stare at the blank wall in front of me, feeling emptier than I ever have. More alone. They have taken everything from me. I have nothing left now. Coming back here thinking I could escape to my space and avoid all the drama for the next few hours was just another mistake I made. Because it’s obvious, these calculating assholes have other plans for me. Bring it on, motherfuckers. Everything you take from me strengthens me, and you’re all going to regret treating me the way you do.

I have no clue how long I sit staring into the empty space, but when I hear the stomp of shoes down the hallway, I jump involuntarily. I brace myself for what’s coming next. The door opens suddenly, thumping the wall behind and flooding the room with light from the hallway.

“Go away,” I mutter to whichever one of my tormentors it is who’s come to bother me this time.

He comes to stand in front of me, and I can tell by the shoes and tailored pants it’s Alessandro. Without uttering a word, he stoops down and lifts me gently into his embrace.

“What are you doing?” I protest, wanting to be left alone.

He brings me closer, pressing me against his firm chest. “I’m not fighting with you any more tonight, Harley.” He carries me effortlessly along the hallway and into his personal sanctuary. Silently, he assists me in removing my dress and neatly prepares the bed for me to lie down. Then he strips off his shirt and pants and slides in beside me, wrapping his arms around me tightly. Gently, he kisses my hair. I want to lash out at him, hurt him like he’s hurt me tonight. But I don’t.

My body stiffens, uncomfortable to be in such proximity to this man. He treated me like shit tonight. Let his father talk to me like I was nothing. Let his mother parade me around like a shiny new jewel. But all of those things fade in importance when compared to the fact that he made me think my brother was no longer alive. And now he acts like everything is just fucking peachy, holding me close like lovers.

I attempt to break free from his hold, craving some personal space, but his grip is like a vice, tightening when I move against it. “Go to sleep, Harley,” he grunts out, sounding exasperated with me.

“You should have left me in my room,” I spit back angrily, my pride getting the best of me.

“You would have been cold and very uncomfortable. Stop making things so difficult, princess.” He kisses my cheek, trying to placate me, but winning me over won’t be so easy.

I don’t fall asleep in his arms because he’s told me to. I do it because I’m utterly shattered, and because part of me hopes that deep down somewhere he’s not the ruthless asshole his father is, and there might be some small part of him that actually cares about me. Tonight, I can’t believe it, but the slightest sliver inside of me still holds hope.