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He doesn’t falter under my look. “It was a mistake to let him go.” He says the last part with meaning, making sure I get it.
I do. He’s telling me I should’ve killed Roch instead of firing him, not because of what he did but because my father always said it’s unwise to leave loose ends.
Roch shouldn’t have pushed and insulted my future wife, but he paid for his actions. I promised my mother I’d look out for him, and I’m not going to break my promise by killing him.
Unable to stand the curious eyes trained on me for a minute longer, I go outside.
Heidi runs after me. “Mr. Russo. Angelo. Wait.”
I turn.
Her face is scrunched up with concern. “Where are you going? You have guests. You can’t just leave.”
My smile is grim. “Watch me.”
I get into my car and drive off without looking back. I have no idea where I’m going. All I know is that I need space. It’s only when I pull up at the new house on the other side of the property thirty minutes later that I realize where I am.
The building supervisor steps outside. He gives me a speculative look when I get out of the car.
“Mr. Russo, I didn’t expect you.” He doesn’t say,not today, but the words hang in the air between us.
I nod at the house. “When will it be ready?”
“By next week latest. The pipes were laid for the water. The electricity should be connected in a couple of days.”
“Good.”
I look at the stone and wood structure. It’s a handsome house, big enough for a large family. The style is similar to that of the big house. I wanted continuity, even if this one stands more than twenty kilometers away from the main mansion. There’s even a coop and a shed for animals. My maternal grandfather can bring his goats and chickens. I haven’t seen the herd or the flock, but the people living nearby who I questioned said the old man keeps them a short distance down the stream. Apparently, he’s inseparable from his animals. It’s a pity he doesn’t feel the same about his children and grandchildren. He’s also said to be an abusive drunk. I’ll have to keep a tight leash on him.
“Would you like a visit?” the supervisor asks.
It’s a good, solid house. When the building site has been cleaned and the landscaper has done his work, the garden will be pretty. I should be proud of the project, but it’s not me who should’ve been standing here. It should’ve been my mother. Only, now she’ll never see it.
She’ll never know.
The supervisor sounds uncertain. “Sir?”
I turn for my car. “No.”
His baffled gaze burns on the back of my head as I get in and start the engine. It’s time to throw myself into work, not only to turn my father’s business into his dream, but also to forget.
Before taking the road, I type out an order on my phone that I send to the head of my security team, informing him to gather the old man and his troop of children and to move them here.
ChapterNineteen
Sabella
When I come home from class, I leave my coat and bag on the stand, kick off my sneakers, and go to the kitchen to switch on the kettle. It’s a typical wet winter’s day with a constant drizzle, and I forgot my umbrella this morning. The long run from my lecture building to the parking lot left me soaked. The cold has penetrated my bones.
Grateful for the underfloor heating, I pull off my wet socks and take a clean sweater and yoga pants straight from the dryer. The comfortable clothes warm my cold skin instantly. I can do with a shower, but I first want a cup of tea to melt the icy coldness inside me. Having a snack isn’t a bad idea either. I’m so hungry I’m shaking. My afternoon lecture ran late, and I didn’t have time for lunch. All I ate since breakfast was a cereal bar.
After dumping my soggy garments in the washing machine, I grab a clean towel from the laundry cupboard to dry the worst of the wetness from my hair.
I’m in the midst of shaking drops all over the floor when the doorbell rings. I freeze. I’m not expecting anyone. Colin is the only person who visits me at home, and he’s at a student meeting this afternoon.
Even though I haven’t seen Angelo since that day on the beach, my stomach tightens as I pad barefoot to the wall panel. The face staring at the camera doesn’t belong to the man of my nightmares. It belongs to my half-sister.
I hesitate. Mattie and Mom still want nothing to do with Daisy and Laura, not that either of them tried to make contact with us after the funeral. Why is she here? Loyalty to my family and guilt about the fact that she’s family too war in my chest. Finally, my curiosity wins.
