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“Bring his sister to him. Allow them twenty minutes before you escort Mr. Remington from the island.”
As they make to leave, Don Vieri turns and fixes me with a steadfast look. “I don’t take kindly to threats, Troy, especially from within my own society. If you thought it would be easy to turn up here and sweep what’s happened into the ocean, you are mistaken. You can welcome your sister back when I’m satisfied you will honor our agreement. Either that, or you return Laura to me where she rightfully belongs and there will be no further communication with her.”
His grandsons chuckle as he whispers darkly, “The choice is yours. Your sister, or Laura. I will be interested to see where your heart really lies.”
There is no point in arguing, I realize that, and we all know he has left me in an impossible position. Love, or family? I cannot possibly choose and now I must explain to my sister why she can’t come home with me.
As they leave,I slump down in my chair and my heart thumps wildly. I can’t make that decision. It’s an impossible one. The bastards knew it would be and intended on making this difficult.I can’t turn my back on either of them and yet whatever I do will affect one of the women I love.
How can I choose? I’m in an impossible situation.
It takesten minutes for Melissa to head toward me, and I stand as she runs into my arms and sobs on my shoulder.
“I’m so sorry, Troy. Please forgive me.”
“Hush.” I stroke her hair and kiss her cheek, my heart heavy as I contemplate leaving her here.
She pulls back and I notice her eyes are red from crying and the tension increases as I hiss, “Did they hurt you?”
“No.” She shakes her head. “If anything, they’ve treated me as a guest. Nonna and Serena have been so kind, and Purity and Allegra treat me like a sister.”
“Then why are you sorry?”
“Because I went behind your back. I, well, I met someone and kept it secret.”
I pull her down beside me at the table and fill my glass with the remaining lemonade and hand it to her.
“Tell me about him.”
Her eyes light up as she whispers, “I love him.”
It’s not what I want to hear because I’m guessing he doesn’t feel the same and I say carefully, “What does he say?”
“That he loves me, too. That we are here to settle a disagreement between our families and when it’s over, he will come back to America with me.”
“Do you believe him?”
I’m guarded because this guy is one of them—obviously, and she says with a fierce determination.
“Of course I trust him. He’s well, he’s everything.”
Her eyes sparkle as she whispers, “He said he’ll come back for me.”
“He’s not here?”
My heart sinks because it’s unlike Melissa to play the gullible fool. He must have been convincing.
Her face brightens. “He has work to do before he can return. And he will. I just know it.”
I say nothing because if Melissa is going to get through this, she needs to have hope, and I smile reassuringly. “Then wait here for him. I only came to check that you’re okay.”
“Do you mean it?” She breaks out into a happy smile. “I can stay. Thanks, Troy, I really mean it and I’ll make sure I’m back when they discharge mom.”
I nod, but inside my stomach is churning. Melissa doesn’t realize the trouble she’s in, that’s obvious and if I’m to keep that smile on her face, it’s important I prove to the Vieris that I am no longer any threat to them.
CHAPTER 49
LAURA
