Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 451(@200wpm)___ 361(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Mom balls her hands into fists. “You brought him into our house? Into your room?”
“Nothing happened,” I say quickly. “I swear. He sent me a message to say he was outside. He came all the way to say happy birthday in person.” I pause. “So, I let him in.”
My dad’s voice is hard. “What happened, Sabella?”
“Nothing. We just talked. I fell asleep. When I woke up, he was gone. I thought he’d left, but he came back, saying he’d been to the bathroom. Then he said goodbye, and I let him out.” I shrug, feeling miserable and stupid and small. “That’s all.”
My mom pulls back her shoulders and walks to the door without sparing me a glance.
“Mom,” I say, my tone pleading.
When she all but shoves past me, I don’t have a choice but to step out of the way.
I bite my lip, turning to my dad. “I’m sorry.” My voice breaks as the tears I’m trying to hold back slip free and roll over my cheeks. “I’m really, really sorry, Dad.” Sobs wrack my shoulders. “I didn’t know. I didn’t know he was only using me to steal your book.”
Blowing out a heavy sigh, my dad gets to his feet and rounds his desk. I’m a slobbering mess when he puts his arms around me and hugs me close. I nearly collapse with relief in his embrace, taking the comfort he offers.
“Shh.” He rubs my back. “It’s not your fault.”
“At least now we know how he got his hands on it.” Ryan utters a wry chuckle as he sips his drink. “He didn’t hire someone to break in, which means the alarm system is still foolproof.” His smile is cynical. “I suppose that’s something.”
I pull back with a hiccup. “Aren’t you mad at me?”
Dad’s face hardens. “Angelo Russo is a vile creature. He used you as a pawn in this nasty scheme of his. How can I be angry with you when he’s the one to blame?”
“Thank you.” I wrap my arms around him. “You have no idea how scared I was to tell you.”
“You did the right thing.”
I step away, searching his eyes. “What’s going to happen?”
My dad and Ryan exchange a look.
I turn to Ryan. “Why did he take the book? What is he going to do with it?”
In my peripheral vision, Dad clenches his jaw.
Ryan pushes off the windowsill. His tone is calm, as if none of what happened affects him. “He wanted shares in the business.” He twirls the glass. “Instead of only taking a cut of the profit, he also wanted power.”
“Is it true?” I ask my Dad. “About the bribes?”
Dad’s smile is drawn. “A necessary evil.”
I take his hand, brushing my thumb over the onyx wedding ring on his finger, tracing the square stone like I used to do when I was little and Dad held my hand. “Isn’t there another way?”
Dad checks his watch. “Your mother is waiting for us. We better have dinner.”
“I’m sorry.” I squeeze his hand. “I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you.” Fresh tears build behind my eyes. “It’ll never happen again.”
“I know, darling.” Dad pauses. “You only saw him this once? If there were other times, you have to come clean about them now.”
“Only last night.”
Dad considers me for another beat, and then he nods. “Go clean up your face. The food is getting cold.”
My shoulders sag as I walk to the bathroom and wash my face. My father lost shares in his business, and it’s my fault. Because of me, he had to give a part of his hard-earned company to the Russo family. If Angelo used the bribing to blackmail my father into signing over a part of his business, then Angelo is condoning the bribing too.
It’s a bitter pill to swallow. A part of me wishes I never learned the truth. I don’t like to think this house and everything else was bought with dishonest means. Dad has never involved us in his business. I’ve never understood much about it because he’s gone to such great pains to keep his private and professional lives apart.
I’ve always put him on a pedestal. He’s always been my hero, and today made a dent in the image I upheld for so long, proving that even my strong, successful, and invincible dad is only human. That he has faults. I suppose he feels the same about me, realizing that his little girl isn’t so perfect or obedient after all.
After drying my face, I go downstairs. Ryan stays for dinner. Mattie keeps on stealing glimpses at me during the meal. I’m sure Ryan told her what happened. Mom stares at her plate, saying nothing. Dad is equally quiet. I’m relieved when the ordeal finally comes to an end.
Mom wants Ryan to sleep over, seeing how late it is, but he prefers to get back to Celeste. After saying goodbye to my brother, I can finally escape to my room.