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TWENTY-FOUR
EMI
Igaze around the room once again. Luca’s team has done impeccable, as always. There are white drapes lining the walls and ceiling, candles adorn the glass tables, and the band from my sweet sixteenth play lively music, giving it a party vibe as opposed to a formal event.
I’ve plastered on my perfected smile and accepted a “congratulations” from so many people my cheeks ache from smiling. I scoff at the thought, and Maxim looks at me in question. I take in my brother; he’s handsome and strong. His short, cropped hair isn’t as dark as ours and his skin is fairer.
Growing up, Maxim always had issues with looking the odd one out in our family. He said people never took him seriously because he wasn’t blood. But the softness in Maxim’s eyes gives him a different edge to my brother’s fiery ones; they give him compassion, whereas Luca puts the fear of God in people. Maxim gives people relief and comfort, and Papi says sometimes that can drive a message home just as much as being fierce. That’s why they work so well together; he’s the calm in Luca’s storm.
“You deserve to be in love.” The words fall from my mouth before I can think to stop them, and I cover my mouth with my hand.
Maxim scans my face and jolts at my words, and when our eyes lock, I see a tirade of hurt behind them before he glances away.
“You’ve been in love?” It’s a rhetorical question, judging by his reaction.
“Mm,” he muses, taking another drink of his whiskey.
“What happened?” I stare at my brother as he watches the guests dance.
“The organization.” My stomach sinks for Maxim. He’s in love with someone and they have a role to play too, to marry another, no doubt.
Emotion gathers in my throat. “I’m sorry.”
He turns his head. “You have nothing to be sorry for, Princessa. You did good. You got out.” He glances down at my stomach, and my hand finds bump.Does Maxim think I did this on purpose?
My lips move to explain otherwise when I notice Aldo, one of Luca’s soldiers, tip his head toward the door. I gasp at seeing him again.
There was once a time when all I could think about was Aldo and his messy brown hair. I’d run my fingers through it as his lips devoured mine with stolen kisses. My heart would hammer, and my legs would wobble each time we’d sneak off to meet. I knew I was on the verge of giving Aldo my virginity, and I knew if Luca ever found out about him, he’d kill him. It was one of the reasons I decided to do what I did at the casino that night. I wanted the control, to be able to decide who took my virginity. At the very least, I wanted to be attracted to them.
“Maxim, I just need to use the restroom. I’ll be back shortly.” Maxim stares into space as I turn and walk toward the door. Glancing back over my shoulder, I notice the longing behind his gaze as he watches a couple dance. It can only be described as heartbreak, and as much as I hate to see him like this and I’m desperate to know more, I need to speak to Aldo.
I owe him that at least.
SHAW
I take another deep breath, splash water over my face, and rest my hands on the edges of the sink, staring up into the mirror, wondering how the hell I could have fucked up my life so epically.
To not only lose all control over my own life but to have little to none over my wife’s and child’s too is unfathomable. I mean, I even have to live on someone else’s property with their furnishings and staff when I’m quite capable of purchasing and running my own home. Every fucking move is dictated by Luca Varros, and I couldn’t detest him more if I tried.
I take a deep breath and steel my spine, reminding myself that Emi and the baby need me in all of this chaos. They rely on me and are just as innocent, being used as Luca’s pawns. Just like me.
I throw open the door, determined to get this ridiculous parade of power over with so I can get my family back home. As I stride down the corridor, I hear hushed voices, and a familiar giggle makes the hairs on my neck rise.
I slow my step and stay in the shadows as Emi talks to some guy who has her cornered with his hands above her head.
Rage bubbles inside me, forcing me forward, but when I realize she’s making no attempt to move and gifts him with a smile, I’m almost brought to my knees as my step falters. My heart free falls from my chest and I gasp for breath, flicking my gaze away from theirs to control my emotions. I lick my suddenly dry lips and turn my head back, trying to listen in on their obvious private conversation.
“Please don’t do this. You said you didn’t want to hurt me. This is hurting me.” The guy talks so low I have to strain to listen.
“Aldo, I’m sorry.” A tear trickles down her face, and I can see me gently wiping it away, but I wince, not allowing myself to consider doing it. Not when she’s ripping my heart out. She doesn’t deserve my kindness, my loyalty.
I’ve sacrificed my life to protect her, and this is the thanks I get? Her sneaking away with a lover while at our wedding celebration? Rage floods my veins, and without another thought, I stride from the shadows and crash my fist into the guy’s jaw.
He stumbles back, holding his jaw in shock as I move toward him again with purpose.
“Shaw, please stop it.” But I ignore her pleas and grab the punk by his collar and smash him into the wall face-first, causing blood to splatter onto the pristine paintwork.
Emi gasps, the sound only enraging me more at her concern for him. “Fuck, man. It’s not what—” I punch him again, in his gut this time. I’ve had enough of this fucking family. Another punch to his stomach. My chest heaves in fury at another man touching my woman and her embracing it.
