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Another truth was that I wasn’t certain. I’d seen a look in my sister’s eyes that had haunted me. She’d been shocked, emotionally hurt, but she hadn’t been angry. I didn’t like that one fucking bit. “We will plan on rounding up some of their soldiers as another warning.”
His eyes opened wide, and I could tell he wanted to disagree with me. He looked away before answering. “Yes, sir. Whatever you believe is right.” He walked toward my desk, retrieving my demolished laptop. Then he grabbed my empty glass, heading toward the bar to refill it.
Right.
The word wasn’t typical in the Giordano vocabulary. Here I stood, in a house I’d been determined to hate, drinking expensive scotch as I waited for the woman I’d fallen in love with to be brought safely back to the house. I wore Demarco’s blood like another badge of honor, basking from the moment I’d pulled the trigger.
I was a sick, disgusting man.
Dillon was definitely right about one thing. I ran the empire. It was mine to do with however I wanted. Changes would be made.
“However, you need to know that word on the street is that you’re vulnerable.”
I almost laughed. “Does that surprise you?”
It was obvious he didn’t want to answer. “They don’t know what you’re capable of.”
“And what is that?”
I’d also never known the man to appear so uncomfortable. “Killing anyone who gets in your way.” He poured the glass two thirds full, hesitating before turning around. No, he had no idea what I was made of. I’d yet to make that known. I’d reacted to issues instead of planning, certainly not a recent trait I was proud of.
What I found interesting was that up until a few days ago, I’d never eliminated anyone. That had been Luciano’s call. To realize my reputation had changed so quickly should have been appealing. Instead, it was disturbing as hell.
As soon as he slid the filled glass onto my desk, we both heard laughter coming from the foyer. I rounded the corner, taking long strides toward the front door.
Both Maria and Theodora were chattering and laughing as they eased several bags onto the granite floor. To my surprise, Sarah seemed happy, beaming as she finished whatever story she was telling. The dogs came bounding from my office from hearing the sound of her voice, all three girls fawning over them while the pups woofed and barked, gleeful Sarah was home.
Home.
As if she’d ever be able to consider this her home.
“Oh, babies. I missed you. I might have a treat or two inside one of these bags,” Sarah said, still laughing. There was so much joy in her tone, something I thought I’d never hear again.
“And Auntie Maria and Auntie Theodora might have purchased a few toys as well,” Theodora added.
She’d been the one to beg our father for a dog. Every Christmas. Every birthday. How many tears had she shed from being told no time and time again?
Maria saw me first, her eyes lighting up as I hadn’t seen in a hell of a long time.
“Gabe! Your fiancée is incredible. We adore her,” she said. Then her eyes opened wide as she noticed the blood on my shirt. She’d seen it before, although at the point when she’d left for Italy, only on our father. I sensed a few seconds of fear until she masked that emotion.
“Yes, we do. She’s hysterical. We laughed for hours,” Theodora purred. A single nervous tic appeared in the corner of her mouth as she caught a glimpse of the stain on the front of my shirt. I sensed she was terrified I’d killed Nico. But I knew her. She wouldn’t ask in front of Sarah.
Both my sisters seemed oblivious to my building anger. Only Sarah sensed my foul mood, turning toward me, her face pensive.
“What the fuck did you think you were doing?” I snapped, barely controlling my breathing. “Sarah, get into my office.”
“What’s wrong with you?” Maria snarked. “Father said you wanted us to take her shopping.”
“That was his determination, not mine. She was told she couldn’t go anywhere. Sarah defied me.” I took two steps closer and Theodora moved between us.
“Check yourself, brother. What the fuck is wrong with you? She’s not a prisoner.” She half laughed after making the statement. “Oh, what a fool am I. You kidnapped her. Right? So she is a prisoner. You expect her to follow your rules when you stole her from her life. You’re a fucking repulsive son of a bitch.”
I’d never seen her this animated, her words of hatred stronger than any she’d spewed in years.
“Why are there guards outside? There must be ten of them,” Sarah asked, her voice shaking in anger.
“There are more than that. At my father’s house as well,” I shot back at her, rolling my hand through my hair, the relief almost as sickening as the worry had been.
