Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 136915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136915 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
I nodded but didn’t thank him. Not for that. “You need to rest.” I turned on my heel.
“Won’t you stay?”
“Mom’s here. I need a bit of peace and quiet. I’ll visit you tomorrow.”
I didn’t look at him because I knew his hurt expression would have made me rethink my decision.
Nino stepped back so I could walk past them. I didn’t dare look at Dad. I felt on the verge of anxiety anyway, and I knew his disappointed expression would have sent me over the edge. “Nino, can you take Greta home? I’ll have to talk to Nevio first.”
“Of course.”
Nino appeared at my side, a calm presence I appreciated. He led me toward Dad’s car and I got in without a word. I felt completely out of it, almost in shock. So much had happened in the last few hours. My brain hadn’t had time to process it. I wasn’t even sure if that was possible.
We pulled up the driveway to our mansion when I found the strength to speak, “Will there be war now?”
Nino turned off the engine and took a deep breath. “Maybe war has already started.”
“You have to stop Dad from going to war with the Famiglia. Please. So many people would die. Kiara wouldn’t be able to see her friend Giulia anymore, Fabiano could never see his sisters again, and Aurora her aunts. This war is unnecessary. I don’t want it, not because of me. Talk to Dad. He listens to you.”
“He appreciates my logic, but I’m not sure he’s in a state of mind for it at the current time. And then there’s still the matter of Luca. He made it clear he wants war. If he declares war, we won’t ask for peace. We’ll retribute with full brutality.”
I closed my eyes. My God. Who would have thought love was so destructive?
“I’m sorry for all of this.”
Nino didn’t say anything so I got out of the car and went inside. When I crossed the common room Giulio jumped up where he’d sat beside Savio and a heavily pregnant Gemma on the couch and watched something on the iPad. Kiara, too, rose where she had been curled up in the armchair.
Giulio raced toward me, boisterous excitement all over his face. His eyes were a lighter brown than mine but his hair was just as dark. “Nevio stabbed Vitiello?”
Savio pushed off the sofa, his eyes on me as he approached us. He touched my brother’s shoulders, pulling him back. “Greta needs rest.”
Kiara came my way and lightly touched my arm. “Do you want me to come up with you?” Gemma struggled to get off the couch. She was already three days overdue. She gave me an apologetic smile as she gave up and dropped back on the couch.
“I’m okay. Nevio got stabbed, not me.”
Kiara nodded but I could tell she still worried.
Without another word, I turned and headed upstairs to my room where Momo and Bear were waiting for me. I put Bear on his leash and picked up Momo before I headed downstairs and went outside through the French doors in our wing of the mansion. I allowed Bear and Momo to relieve themselves and sniff around a bit before I returned to my room. Bear and Momo stayed close to me, obviously aware of my distress.
After turning off the lights, I curled up on my bed, shivering. I was cold, inside and out, despite Bear’s body pressing to my back and Momo cuddled to my front. A knock sounded. My eyes peeled open. With the black-out curtains drawn shut, my view was still utter blackness.
“Yes?”
The door opened and Dad’s tall form stood illuminated in the light coming in from the hallway. He turned the light switch. As usual it was dimmed to a low glow, enough to make out his exhausted eyes and tense expression. Bear let out a low growl which shook the mattress. Dad ignored it and stepped in. I sat up and sent Bear into his corner. He curled up there, his eyes on Dad, who sank down beside me.
Dad watched me, his dark eyes full of concern, but also something else, maybe wariness. “You lied to me.”
I swallowed, then gave a small nod. “I lied about kissing Amo, yes. Because I knew how you and Nevio would react if you found out.”
Dad’s jaw tightened. “We saw how Nevio reacted.”
I doubted Dad’s reaction would have been much better. In the long run he’d have spilled blood as well. “It’s over now. It never really started.”
Dad’s eyes seemed to sink into mine, willing me to tell him everything. But there was so much I didn’t understand. “He’s bound to marry in a few weeks.”
“I know,” I said quietly, lest Dad thought I was oblivious. I wasn’t as good and innocent as he thought. I’d kissed a promised man, and I wanted to do it again. I was wretched.