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There are not too many reasons for me to be here in this room, especially after I just saw that news broadcast. At any second now, is this woman going to tell me that my parents are dead? She can upend my whole damn world in seconds, and take away everything that I love.
Hell yeah, I want, no, I desperately need someone else in here with me.
Ms. X clasps her fingers together and lays her hands on the desk slightly leaning forward. “Taylor, I know that everything is a lot to take in right now, but I need you to understand that I’m almost certain that your parents are fine.”
My eyes bug out, how can this woman tell me that my parents are fine? “Did the police call you, can I talk to my parents? Are they on their way here?”
She gives me a sad smile. “I’ve known both Antonio and Tilly for almost twenty-five years.”
“What?” My father didn’t look like he knew her when she was at the boxing ring that day.
“Your dad was not happy to see me that day. His cover had been blown. About six months ago, you and a Rose …” She looks down at her paper again, “… Gatlin, took one of those ancestral DNA kits. When you guys took that kit, it led us to your DNA, and then to your father. There are certain strains that are monitored, to find the missing.”
I just stare at her waiting for her to continue. I imagine the way she’s looking with sincerity in her eyes that she just wants me to take this in.
“Almost twenty-three years ago, when your parents found out they were pregnant, they decided to change their identity and move far away from home. Your father is an enemy to most countries, even here.”
I interrupt her on accident. “Home?” I stutter out. Not meaning to.
“Ukraine.” I shift backwards, I’m Russian?
Her hand reaches across the desk and grabs mine. “Your real name is Katerina Capponi. Right after you were born, they decided your middle name should be Taylor and that’s what you go by, they wanted something more American since they knew they were escaping to the States.”
I look at Eden and her mouth is open like mine. “Why did they have to hide?”
Now Ms. X gives me a smile, one that shows pure respect. “Your father’s real name is Antonio ‘The Ghost,’ Capponi.”
I’m in pure shock as Eden gasps and covers up her mouth. I can’t even make a sound. Can I even breathe? The Ghost is a well-known name, a man that has murdered thousands. You better behave, or ‘The Ghost’ is going to get you. Stupid taunts parents share with their children.
“My father is the fucking Ghost?” I shake my head in disbelief. He’s not just the eliminator of bad people, he’s the disciplinary of bad children. The bringer of peace or war. There is no way that you can get out from under his clutches if you’re chosen. I had nightmares as a child worrying about that. I only heard it from other children at school. My parents never did that shit with me. Now it all makes sense, the word Ghost is an obscene fable in our house.
“Your families net worth is two-point-three billion dollars.” My mouth opens again, catching flies. I don’t want to be rude and interrupt, but come on. Eden’s hand is still covering her mouth as Ms. X softly holds up her hand stopping me as I start to speak. “Your parents own hundreds of legitimate businesses.” She gives me a huge smirk. Fuck, my dad’s an assassin. “Your father’s a genius with money, and just about everything else.”
Eden starts talking, which causes both of us to snap our head in her direction. “Do you want her father?” I nod my head, that’s a bit judgmental, but she does seem kind of weird about him.
Ms. X lets out one of the most sincerest laughs I have ever heard. “Your father plays for the other team. Not my preference at all. I respect your mom and dad so much, they’re one of the very few people I trust with my life.” Ms. X gets up from the desk and comes around and sits on the edge of it right next to me. “When they disappeared my heart broke, because your mother was so excited about the baby. But as big as your dad was, no one would rest, not even I would, until they discovered a body. Making it final. After several years I realized they’re still alive. At least I prayed to God they were. There was never any evidence of them anywhere.”
“You should tell them how you feel,” I state, having no idea where it came from, but it’s true. My parents are very open, they’ll listen.
She starts to laugh again as she gets up and maneuvers behind her desk, graciously planting her ass right back in the seat she vacated. “Oh I have several times. I spent the weekend with both of them so we could catch up. God, I’ve missed Tilly so much.” She dabs her eyes looking between both Eden and me.
She’s not in love with my dad, but my mother. I can understand, Tilly Quinn, Capponi is as compassionate and true as they come.
We’ve been living at almost the poverty line since I was a child. I’m not upset. I don’t need the nicer things, I totally understand why now. My father did this to save our lives and give me a good upbringing, both of my parents did.
“The amount of danger that you are in, is unseen.” Ms. X is no longer laughing, but dead set on being serious. She motions outside and then gives me a smile. “Those guards are not for me. You need to have armed guards with you all the time from now on. Everyone either wants your money or your death. Sadly your identity will be revealed very shortly, out of my control.” The sincerity in her voice is overwhelming but I’m making sure to listen to everything she says. “I’ve rooted out most of the bad people in the school from the rival families but the Santorins,” she chuckles slightly because hey, we are in Santorin University, “they are your biggest rivals. You have to be very aware, your life will depend on it.”
The amount of information floating through my head is starting to make everything pound. In a short amount of time, I’ve gone from a charity scholarship case, to one of the most sought after families in the world, and the richest.
“The people, your friends who hang around you, need to be very aware of your situation. If someone’s going after you, they could get in the way. It will be very dangerous for them.” Both Ms. X and I look at Eden, who still has her mouth open and her eyes are just globes.
I’ve heard of Katerina Capponi. She’s been a mystery for years that people think long forgotten and dead. The life altering news was completely forgotten as my parents flashed before my eyes. “I need to find my parents,” I state as I start to get up.
Ms. X stands and puts one hand on her hip. “The only thing that can happen with you running out there is to get yourself killed. Then you will start one of the biggest wars that this country has seen in decades.”
“Who are you?” Maybe she’s like the number one assassin that controls all the other people.
Ms. X pulls out a card and hands it to me. “I am one of the twelve members of the Council. That’s all I can explain to you as of right now. Don’t worry, you’ll find out more information in time, but the only thing important is for you to keep yourself safe until we reunite you with your parents.”
