AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I walked into the bathroom, unable to shake the chills. Maybe a hot shower would rid my mind of the memories. Of him. As I stared at my reflection, I cringed. Now I knew what a drowned rat looked like. After starting the water, I peeled off the wet dress, holding it out with two fingers before dropping it into the hamper. I’d borrowed it from my sister, now grateful I’d never have to see it again.
Just like the man.
When I climbed into the shower, I slunk against the wall, closing my eyes. Visions of him flooded my mind, stealing not just my breath but a portion of my sanity. When they refused to leave, I slid down the wall, folding my arms over my knees.
Why did it feel like I was falling into an abyss?
* * *
I woke to a knock on my door. As I opened my eyes I moaned, the sun far too bright for this time of morning. Then I jerked up, glaring at the clock. It was almost eleven. Shit. I’d forgotten to set the alarm. Oh, no. I was late for practice. I threw back the covers, hating the wooziness I felt that had nothing to do with alcohol. Sleep had been difficult, my mind unable to let go of the startling images. Or the damn fantasies I’d concocted.
The second knock was insistent. I tumbled out of bed, struggling to get to my robe. What could be so urgent? “Hold on,” I managed, struggling to tie the sash. When I opened the door, I was surprised to see one of housekeepers standing just outside. The sense of urgency was strong, her face pinched as she shifted from one foot to the other.
“Your father needs to see you.”
When my father gave an order, everyone is the house was on high alert. While he’d always been fair with the employees, he was also known for volatile actions during times of high stress. This must be one of those times.
“Tell him I’ll be there in thirty minutes, Marta.” He couldn’t allow my slight infraction to go unattended. Even at my age, he’d always found some method of punishing me.
“Now, Miss Vincheti. He said right now.”
Frowning, I nodded, watching as she scurried off. Marta had worked with the family for years. She was definitely more anxious than normal. I moved into the bathroom, brushing my teeth quickly before heading to the stairs. Apprehension had settled in. I had a feeling something was wrong that had nothing to do with my tardiness.
I took the stairs slowly, the heavy dose of anxiety creating a knot in my stomach. When I padded to his office, I listened for any other sounds. While I was the last child still living on the estate, my mother was usually active about this time, directing various staff members where flowers would go or a new painting.
I heard his voice. He was angry, furious. Whoever he was talking to had agitated him more than I’d heard in a long time. I clung to the wall, trying to remain silent, listening in on his conversation as I’d do so many times over the years. It had been the only way I’d gotten any information about what my family was involved in. Correction, the men of my family.
We were still living back in time even now, women treated like precious objects instead of intelligent beings.
“You’re not going to threaten me. I think you know what happens when you do.” The tension was palpable. I held my breath, able to hear his heavy footsteps moving from one side of his office to the other. Then he laughed, the sound just as ugly as the rage in his voice. “Let me make this perfectly clear to you. No one, and I do mean no one threatens the Vincheti family. You will learn about the meaning of the word retaliation.” There was a loud sound then my father cursed in Italian under his breath.
He was the master of holding in his rage when handling adversaries. Whoever had been on the other end of the call had riled him to the point he was slightly unraveled. That didn’t bode well for whatever he had to say to me.
I counted to ten, tiptoeing further away then walking normally toward his office, tapping on his door. “Papa?”
He was sagged against his desk, his palms on the surface and his head down. I’d also never seen him look so beaten.
“Yes, Giada. You can come in.”
My stomach churned, my mind forming various scenarios, none of them enjoyable. As soon as I walked into the room, I sensed the extreme tension and was concerned about his heavy breathing. Even on the worst of days, he always had music playing the background. Not today. He’d turned around, standing stoically as he stared out the window, but I sensed he wasn’t looking at anything in particular.
I couldn’t detect that he’d sensed my arrival, which allowed me to take a quick glance at the contents on his desk. Then I walked closer to his desk, certain I recognized a letterhead.
“We need to have a discussion, Giada.”
“Okay.”
He said nothing for a few seconds, which made me even more nervous. I’d seen him pissed before. His terse actions meant he was way beyond angry. I could also tell something was very wrong.
“Did something happen, Father?”
He shoved his hands into his pockets, taking several deep breaths before turning around. I’d never seen the expression he wore. It was like he’d been defeated. After glancing down at his desk, his picked up a letter. “This came for you.”
Now he was opening my mail? At least before I’d had the privilege of privacy with my phone, computer, letters, and cards. I’d earned that right. I’d been a good girl my entire life, but it was definitely time to spread my wings. A lump formed in my throat as I glanced at what he was holding. Maybe this was his way of telling me I’d flunked the audition once again. I’d known the last time his patience had been pushed.
He was about to tell me that he wouldn’t pay for any additional lessons, unless they were ones taught at Columbia University, his location of choice for his wayward daughter. He’d refused to allow either Isabella or me to consider going to the university, the location still more of a myth in my mind even if all my brothers were excelling at their business ventures.
My hand was shaking when I grabbed it, fighting tears. Admitting failure wasn’t my strong suit. When I glanced at the letter, a single word popped out.
