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So damn scared.
It breaks my heart, but it also infuriates me.
We’re supposed to be family and I was taught that family is the most important thing in the world.
Now he’s got a chance to prove he meant it, but he’s doing nothing. Instead, I’m the one expected to make all the sacrifices, and the worst part is, I’m doing it, I’m going along with his plan, because I truly do believe.
“I’m sorry, Brice, but there’s nothing I can do for you. Tell Carmine that it’s up to him to keep his bride safe.”
I stare at him and try to make sense of that but it’s like he just told me to go fuck myself in Latin. “Grandpa. Are you joking?”
“This isn’t a joke.” His voice drops and a touch of anger infests his tone. “Rowe Oil is teetering on the brink and I can’t deal with your emotional outbursts right now. Talk to your future husband and work something out with him and don’t tell me the details, I don’t want to know about it. Your father did something heinous, and while you shouldn’t have to suffer for it, unfortunately, that’s what’s happening right now. You need to find a way to deal.”
I gape at him, jaw working. “Find a way to deal?” I echo and can’t seem to make sense of this. It’s like the old man that helped raise me is disappearing before my eyes, replaced by the cold-blooded business titan I always heard about. “You’re basically telling me to go away and figure it out myself?”
“I’m telling you that my resources are stretched thin and we gave you to Carmine exactly so he can handle this sort of problem. Why don’t you turn to him instead of to me? I have too much at stake right now to let your problems distract me.”
I slowly get to my feet.My problems. Like the Greek mafia wanting to kill me is somehow my fault and I’m just being a silly dramatic girl about everything. I’m trembling and I feel like the floor’s been ripped open underneath me and I’m tumbling deep inside. “I’ll tell him you said that.” The words come out wooden and stiff.
“See that you do.” Grandpa nods at me. “I know this isn’t what you imagined your life would be, but it’s for the greater good.”
“For the Rowe family, right?”
“Exactly, kiddo, exactly. Now, if you don’t mind, I have a call in—” He checks his watch and sighs. “In five minutes ago. Excuse me, Brice.”
He turns to his computer and I’m forgotten.
I walk to the door like I’m stomping over glass. I want to break this place, crush it under my heel, but all I feel is the sense that the mansion is compacting around me and squeezing me dry.
Once in the hall, I lean against the wall and stare down at my hands, trying to get my head to stop ringing like a bell. But Grandpa’s dismissal feels like a fever dream.
My family doesn’t care about me.
I knew that given the choice between me and the family, Grandpa would choose the family—but to hear it and see it play out right before my eyes is something else. A Greek mafia family wants to kill me, and Grandpa doesn’t seem to care, or at least he doesn’t care enough to make it a priority.
I shove myself from the wall and take a few steps forward. I make it to the front door without being stopped by anyone, and by the time I’m down the steps and heading toward the car waiting to drive me back to the house, I’m starting to tremble, and I’m afraid I might be sick.
Grandpa isn’t going to help me. He doesn’t care.
And the absolute worst part of that is, there’s something strangely liberating about that.
I don’t have money to fall back on, I don’t have family, I don’t have anything but what’s in front of me.
I have Carmine, and that’s it.
The idea is laughable and sad and I’m not sure how I’m going to survive it.
Chapter14
Brice
“Two pools! Oh my god, you told me there were two pools but I really didn’t believe you until right now.”
“Four hot tubs too.” I pan across the back yard and grin to myself. Robyn’s laughter comes through my phone in heavy peals of glee. “I have no clue what the Arcs were thinking.”
“They were probably thinking that one pool and two hot tubs is nice and all, but imagine doubling that? How impressive would that be?”
“The rest of the place is equally insane.” I tell her about the opulence, the furniture, all the weird little details desperate to feelexpensiveinstead of nice or practical. “It’s not what I would’ve bought, but it’s close to home and in a nice neighborhood, so I can’t complain too much.”
