Page 14 of Taking His Heart

“It’s a pretty even tie with Rosie,” Aurelio says. “I don’t pity you, Daniella. I want to be able to help you, but I don’t know how to help you with this. I really think you should talk to Mum, or pick an auntie or something.”

“I’m not ready yet,” I admit.

“Well, I don’t know about you, but I could use a drink.” Aurelio stands and holds out a hand towards me.

I take it and let my brother pull me up to my feet. “I really could use some Cinque.”

“Let’s go raid the Bianchis’ stash.” Aurelio leads me back into the house.

“Thank you,” I whisper as we walk through the front door.

“You don’t need to thank me. I’m your only brother. If you can’t tell me every dirty little secret in your head, then who can you tell?”

“Oh, you do not want to know every dirty little secret in my head.” I smirk.

“You’re right. Some things a brother does not need to know,” Aurelio agrees.

“What are you two whispering about?” Rosie pops her head up from the sofa as we walk into the living room that also houses a wet bar.

“Just how our parents really messed up by having a third child,” Aurelio says.

“You know what they say… Third time’s the charm.” My sister smiles wide. “Also, I’m going out tonight. You can either come with me, or stay here and be the boring people you are.”

“Where do you think you’re going?” Aurelio asks her.

“I’m coming,” I say quickly. I don’t even care where she’s going. I want out of this house desperately.

“You know, neither of you are getting out of this house.” Aurelio picks up a bottle of Cinque and pours three glasses, handing one to me and one to Rosie before picking up the third.

“Oh, I’m getting out. Just you wait and see.” Rosie winks at me. She already has a plan in motion, and I know I’m going along for the ride.

Chapter Seven

Iwake with a start when someone kicks my foot. My eyes snap open, landing on Aurelio glaring down at me.

“What the fuck are you doing sleeping in my sister’s bed?” he asks.

I look at his hands, surprised that they’re empty. If it were me, and I found some asshole in my sister’s bed, you better believe I’d have the end of a barrel aimed at their dick. I make a point of scanning the room. I am in fact still in Daniella’s assigned guestroom.

I thought she’d come back. She didn’t. “Last I checked, this was my house, not your sister’s.”

I slide off the bed, stand, and roll my neck from side to side. It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask him where she is. I don’t, though. I know better than to let him know his suspicions about us were right.

Daniella wanted to keep us secret, so I did. Until my family figured out why I went slightly off the rails after she left.

“What are you doing in here?” I turn the question onto him.

“Looking for you,” he says. “Come on. We’re going out.”

“I’m really not in the mood to go out.”

“Too bad. I need to go and hunt down my sisters because the little shits managed to sneak out, and since it’s your house they escaped from, you’re helping me,” Aurelio says.

“Daniella went out?” My blood goes cold. “Someone just fucking tried to kill her three days ago. Why the fuck would she go out?” I yell as my anger boils to the surface.

This is a feeling I’m accustomed to when thinking about her. It’s easier to accept than the longing I feel whenever I see her.

“She followed one of Rosie’s plans, but I know where they are,” Aurelio explains.