AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I leaned back into the soft leather seat and followed the droning instructions of my co-pilot.As I drove, I wondered at what the boys were doing right now. No doubt they were fuming, and I was surprised when they hadn't chased me down like a dog. I could only assume that the fire had worked as intended and diverted their attention. Which was good, because my mind was still reeling at what Luca had told me, and I wondered if it was true. Was my father really dead? Were we enemies? And if we were, how could I trust that they had nothing to do with my father's death?
My hands tightened on the wheel as the thoughts tumbled through my head, confusing me even more.
If we were enemies, why did Nico risk his life for me? Why did Atlas take care of me?
Something didn't add up. The boys had, for the most part, taken good care of me and protected me. And if I was honest, I didn’t view them as enemies. I liked them. I enjoyed their company. Sweet and sensitive Atlas, my suave and sexy Nico, and my dark and intense Luca.But had they been helping me, or just keeping me from my family under the guise of protection?
Argh! Has it all just been a web of lies?
Frustrated by the fact I had even more questions than answers, I turned up the radio to drown out my thoughts, enjoying the blasting tunes of Diana Ross’s, ‘I’m Coming Out’, and the bass vibrations thumping through the seat.
Hopefully there will be more answers when I see my family.
As I pulled up to the impressive gates of the vineyard, I pushed the intercom button and waited for a response, idly looking at the large welcoming sign over the gate with my name on it. Eventually, a woman's voice came over the speaker. She sounded tired and irritated.
"Whoever you are, come back in the morning. If you haven’t noticed, we are closed to visitors at this late hour."
I looked at the clock on the dashboard of the car, and cringed when I saw the time was close to midnight.
Shit!
"Er, I'm sorry. I didn't realize the time. I'm actually not a visitor. I think, um, I think I live here. I'm Catalina Rivera-Flores?" I looked hopefully into the camera above the speaker.
There was a resounding silence over the speaker, followed by a gasp.
"Oh my gosh! Miss, come right in!" The female voice gushed.
The wide steel gates opened immediately with a cranking sound, and I slowly rolled up the driveway towards the cozy looking building.
As I approached, the front door was thrown open and a woman rushed out, followed by two other males. All were rubbing their eyes but stared in disbelief as I pulled to a stop and hesitantly stepped out of the car. We stood, staring at one another, before the older woman rushed over and threw her arms around me in a crushing embrace, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Cat, we thought we'd lost you. Thought you were dead! Oh, thank the good lord you're alive! What happened? Where have you been? Why didn't you tell us you were okay? Wh-"
An older man stepped forward and gently pulled her back by the shoulders.
"Come now dear. Let her breathe. I'm sure there is a reasonable explanation as to where she's been these past few months." He turned to me and smiled warmly, squeezing me by the shoulders before pulling me into a hug. "Welcome home, Cat. You've been missed around here. Come on inside and we'll put some tea on. I think we're all too excited to sleep right now."
I nodded, as he led me with one arm about my shoulders, into the house.
The other younger man just smiled shyly at me as he followed us inside. "It's good to have you back Miss Catalina."
Once inside and seated in what I considered to be the warmest, most homely living room, Martha handed me a hot tea then took a seat. I looked across at the three people staring expectantly at me.
I smiled awkwardly as I took a sip of tea and cleared my throat to speak.
"So where have you been?" The older woman, Martha, jumped in before I could say anything.
I stared at the strangers before me.
Could I trust these people?I decided to keep things vague. Just to be safe.
"I, uh, have been staying with some nice people. They found me and have been looking after me."
"Oh. Why didn't you tell us? We have been awfully worried. We all thought the worst had happened. First your father, then you too!"
The older man nudged the woman's shoulder, giving her a stern look.
"Well, it's true Benji! It makes logical sense. Someone has it out for this family."
