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“All is quiet for now,” I said, finishing my drink. “I need you to guard Sabina at all times. Of course, she can be in any part of the house, but the grounds are different. She knows her way around; as children, we had many hiding spots and ways of getting out beyond the gates. You will check and double-check the property and safeguard anything that appears to be a way out. I don’t even know where to start. This place is huge, and it’s been years since I was carefree and spent time out there.”
“I will do the checks myself, don’t worry.”
“I wish I could, but now that my sister is home, I worry more than ever. And my trip is coming up next month that I cannot get out of.”
“You can always take her with you,” he suggested.
“No fucking way! You will stay here and continue to guard Sabina. I trust you with my life and more so with my sister.”
“Thank you,” he said, which was his way of ending the conversation because he was a man of few words and didn’t require further instruction.
“One more thing,” I said.
“Sir?”
“Keep an eye on the old man, and whatever it takes, keep him away from Sabina.”
“Absofuckinglutely.”
CHAPTER TWO
Sabina
After Lucas left me alone, I was too nervous to sleep. My room was just as I had left it, but still, my alarms were on high alert. My brother promised me that I was safe within my bedroom walls. He would never install cameras here, but I knew they were in the hallway facing my door and strategically placed around the house. The cameras were hidden and hard to find, but I grew up here and knew better.
I entered my en suite and immediately opened the cabinet with the removable floor base. Again, you would not know this was here unless you looked for it. I learned some tricks being the daughter of a mafia kingpin. I knew I always had to have an exit strategy. I continued planning while away from my family and in the United States. Pierre helped me a great deal with my plans. He always would joke and say he dabbled in IT and minor hacking, but I knew better. Pierre majored in computerengineering and communications. He’s well versed in many areas of computer magic and skills I depended on.
Once I lifted the base, I sighed in relief, finding what I had hidden the morning I left for school. It was a risk, but after my father had ordered my luggage checked, I had no choice but to hide the burner phone, cash, and travel documents. My brother flipped out after learning my father had my personal belongings searched, but as usual, he covered up his lies brilliantly. He told Lucas he wanted to ensure I had packed everything I needed. I didn’t believe his lie, and at the time, I don’t think Lucas did either, but I didn’t press the issue. I sent a message to Pierre and Lucy, letting them know I was home and safe for now. His coded message returned in seconds, asking me to text our code to put the exit strategy in place. I texted “RHNTR,” which means run, hide, and never to return. He texted back, and then we ended our chat. He would wait for my following message while preparing the plan we had in place. I don't know when this will happen because I have to play it carefully under my brother's radar, watchful eye, and even more so, my father's. My father still scares the shit out of me. Whenever I look at him, I sense danger, but why? I can’t remember.
I returned everything to the hiding place, including the accordion-style envelope I had taken from my apartment. It was a risk, and I don’t know how I would have explained why I had false documents. My brother would want to know how I obtained them, which would endanger Pierre and Lucy. I will kill myself before any harm comes to my friends. At that moment, I felt a chill run through me, and I didn’t understand why it was happening. It feels as if it’s a warning. It’s this house. I'm not safe, no matter what my brother has promised.
I calmed my nerves as best as possible and soaked in the antique tub. The heat felt good, relaxing my tired muscles. I had finished getting ready when I heard a knock at my bedroomdoor. I opened the door, and it was Gio. “I’m here to escort you to dinner, Ms. Sabina. Shall we go?” he extended his arm for me to take, and I accepted it with no fight, just as they expected me to do.
The table was elegantly arranged for a party of many guests, but I knew there would only be three. My brother sat at the foot of the table, gesturing for me to sit beside him. My father sat across from me, never taking his eyes off mine. Course after course was served to perfection as we ate in silence. Finally, Lucas placed his silverware on his plate and folded his hands together, resting his chin on them.
“Father, relax the scowl you are wearing on your face. Don’t you know it will freeze and stay like that forever?” it appeared he was joking, but I couldn’t be so sure with Lucas. My father obeyed my brother’s request and visibly relaxed under his command. I blinked in amazement at how much had changed since leaving for school. Lucas has been in charge since replacing my father, who now answers to my brother. I bet he hates that, even though he always wanted this for his son. I need a strong drink, but I know Lucas will not allow me to have anything besides wine.
I took a sip and then another to calm my anxiety. Finally, Lucas placed his hand over my glass to lower it to the table. “Pace yourself, little one; we have much to discuss, and I’d like you to have a clear head. Now,” he said as he directed all his attention to our father. “Sabina is home until I say otherwise. It’s what I want, and there will be no objections, especially from you,” he said to my father, who looked affronted by the accusation.
“She’s my precious daughter, Lucas. So why would you believe I wouldn’t be happy seeing Sabina? I’m pleased we will have time to get to know each other again.”
“I hope that’s true because I will not have any discord in this house.” He said to my father and then turned to both of us. “This home has been too quiet since you left us to attend university in America, and sadly, when our mother left us forever. It’s a new chapter for our family that I want you to be part of. You are brilliant and educated, and I believe I could find something for you to do within our organization.” My father looked appalled and was about to say something when all it took was Lucas raising his hand to silence him. Back then, when our father ruled, a woman’s place was behind a man and forever silent until instructed to speak. I spared a glance his way and recoiled quickly. I don’t care what he says to appease Lucas, our father loathes me, and his eyes don’t lie.
“I will not lie to you and say that our family is one hundred percent clean and free from danger and enemies vowing to take us down. However, I will say unequivocally that I have worked extremely hard to legitimize our dealings. We don’t run in grim circles as other families do. We have lucrative businesses worldwide that will only do better with you serving by my side. We can discuss that later; I just wanted you to know you are wanted here. This house is your home and birthright. Isn’t that right, Father?” he said.
“Of course, my son, I’m happy to have Sabina home.”You fucking liar! Please, Lucas, don’t believe him.I silently thought as my father coldly stared at me behind his fake smile.
There was no talk of me working for the family after Lucas changed the subject. Papa was quiet and pretended to listen about my time at Brown. My brother was different and showed interest in what I had to say. He wanted to know all about life in America. I was able to travel with guards always flanking me. Most of the time, I was alone, and few were allowed in my circle. The best day being there was when I met Lucy and then Pierre. I wasn’t allowed to join a sorority or attend parties on campus.
I would have lost my mind if it wasn’t for my friends. They got me through the tough years when I mourned the loss of our mother and felt so alone in the world. I didn’t see much of Lucas then, but he explained he was busy with work and would visit when he could. He did manage a few trips, but they were never long enough, and the main reason was that he had business to attend to, and before he returned home, he stopped in to see me. I guess that hurt my feelings, but beggars couldn’t be choosers, and it was great when he did visit.
The nights were worse when I was alone, and then I suffered the nightmares that kept me trapped, banging on the invisible barrier I could not penetrate. I often thought of going to a psychic or a professional doctor to hypnotize me, but I was too scared to find out the truth I buried deep within my mind. So, I suffered in silence until I could remember without being afraid.
One month later, I was still here in Italy. I only left the estate with Lucas and his guards. He told me I couldn’t visit Lucy and Pierre because he wanted me home to acclimate with the family. I only used my phone twice and told my friends I was safe, but I’d leave as soon as the opportunity presented itself.
I was going crazy trapped in this house. For the most part, my father kept his distance. However, he did corner me yesterday when I was in the library. I don’t remember this room being off-limits to me, but anytime I was here, I was always with my mother or Lucas. My father’s reaction scared me when he discovered I was in there. I had so many memories of my mother. She was a trained musician on the piano, and as a child, I would sit at her feet for hours, listening to her play her piano to Lucas and me.
I turned on a desk lamp with a softer light bulb that illuminated the room. It made it feel warm, unlike the rest of the house, which felt cold. I walked closer to the walls of books and found many favorites I have read over the years. It was theslightest escape from my real life. Just then, my fingers found my neck and clutched the unique locket my mother had given me on my last birthday before she died. It was in the shape of a piano. It was beautiful in white gold and diamonds. It was dainty and perfect, and I never took it off per her instructions.
