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I stared at the letter in my hands.
Even through all the bullshit, I’d suffered during the last year, I’d still managed to finish college. Although I had a suspicion that my uncle had a hand in making it possible. He had a fat checkbook and a lot of pull. The college had given me two months to complete the last couple of assignments that I’d missed.
I knew that wasn’t normal but hey, I wasn’t about to object. Might as well make the most of my new-found family’s power.
The only flaw, I had to go back to Athens and pick up my degree in person and get it signed off by the Dean.
I threw the piece of paper onto the bed beside me and it fluttered through the air, slipping over the edge and onto the floor.
I groaned.
Was I ready to return to the scene of the crime?
“Wow, wouldn’t want the wind to change now and have your face stuck like that.” Rico leaned against the doorframe. “What’s with the frowny face?”
Stepping into the room, he spotted the paper on my floor and reached down to pick it up. I watched as he scanned it. His brow creased as if he was scowling at the words. “This is bullshit, they can’t make you go back there just to pick it up.”
“I have to. That’s the only stipulation that I pick it up in person.”
He shook his head. “I’m going to talk to Dad. There’s got to be something he can do about this.”
I reached out to him before he walked out the door. “Rico please, he’s done enough for me as it is. If this is what I need to do, then I need to do it.”
Rico was protective. We’d formed a really great relationship but as much as I loved that he’d taken the older brother type role, I couldn’t let them protect me from everything. Between Rico and Angelo, they had both taught me ways to be stronger and I felt like I’d grown in both body and mind.
I was ready for this.
I was ready to go back.
“I could come…”
I smiled. “Rico, it’s okay. I’ll be fine.”
He screwed up his face. “Well, how ‘bout we go down to the gym and hit the boxing ring. Just so I know that if you come across anyone, you’re prepared.”
I laughed and bounced off the bed. Angelo had been adamant that I needed to learn how to protect myself. I’d groaned and moaned about it, but secretly I absolutely loved it. It gave me the sense that I wasn’t helpless—a feeling that my dad Marco had made sure I felt every single day.
“Sound’s good.” I gave him a quick shove so he stumbled and darted past him heading for the basement where the gym was located.
“Brat!” He called after me. I laughed, taking the steps three at a time and hoping I wouldn’t miss one and go tumbling ungracefully down the stairs. I could hear Rico’s footsteps behind me, catching up quickly.
“Rosalie!” My body shot to a stop instantly at hearing my uncle’s voice. Rico pulled up beside me. Uncle Anthony stood at the bottom of the staircase. “Rosalie, I need to speak with you. And need I remind the both of you that this house is not a playground.”
“Yes, Father.” Rico dipped his head, giving my hand a quick squeeze as he moved by me.
Uncle Anthony held out his hand, gesturing toward his office.
I nodded and forced a small smile as I followed him down the hall. He took a seat on the large leather couch, a beautifully crafted piece that fitted in perfectly with the theme of his office. There were large book cases and a stunning desk that was larger than most six seater dining room tables. My uncle was quietly extravagant. He never showed it on the outside, but in his own home he loved the best of everything, and the bigger, the better.
I tucked my legs underneath me as I sat in a large armchair across from him. He sat forward, resting his forearms on his knees and clasping his hands together.
“This isn’t good is it?” I asked, shifting nervously.
He sighed. “Marco is requesting to see you.”
My heart began to race. “Why?”
My uncle snorted and I stared at him in shock. Uncle Anthony did not snort. One thing I had learned being here with the DePalmas, there’s an image that the family needs to project. It’s why my uncle holds himself so well and why my cousins are so different behind closed doors. “I would say he’s desperate. He’s been cut off from the family. He has no money and more importantly, no allies.”
