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But then again, Dante has always been a live wire. More volatile than I ever was. I’d seen him lose control a few times, and to be honest, it scared me.
Once we’re dressed, the three of us make our way down the hallway toward the sweeping staircase which will lead us into the living room, dining room, and kitchen area.
As soon as I step into our large dining room, I’m halted in my tracks by three people sitting at the fourteen-seater table. At the head farthest from me is Caia’s father, bound to the chair. His mouth is covered with black tape, his eyes wide with fear.
To the left of him is a woman I would recognize anywhere. Not because I’ve met her before, but because the woman standing beside me is the spitting image of her. Caia’s soft gasp falls from her plump lips, and I don’t blame her. Coming face to face with a ghost is never easy.
To the right of Hamish Amoretto is another woman. She has her back to us, but my chest tightens when she shifts slowly. Time moves at a snail’s pace when she turns her face toward us. Her familiar, wide blue eyes meet mine, and my breath is knocked from me.
I’m unsure of what to do or say, so I stand speechless at the entrance. The three people at the dinner table are all bound, their mouths covered so I can’t hear their pleas.
Most importantly, I can’t hear her voice.
The woman with the eyes that match mine and Dante’s.
The woman I believed was dead.
The woman I would be calling mom if she’d stuck around to be the mother Dante and I never had.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CAIA
I’m not sure how I find strength to move, but I do.
Closing the distance between me and the table, I can’t drag my eyes away from my mother. She’s sitting on a chair, bound, muted, and helpless. I find myself wanting to save her and wanting to slap her for leaving me. For leaving Harper.
“Ah, the dinner party has arrived.” Dante’s voice comes from the doorway. Beside him is Harper. She’s smiling as she leans into him. His arm is draped around her shoulders as if they’re out on a date, not standing in a room with people who have been kidnapped.
“What’s going on here, brother?” Drake hisses under his breath, but I’m close enough to hear him. The tension in the room hangs heavily, a thick cloud of anger and distrust grips us all in its feral claws.
“We’re having parents evening at the Savage Mansion,” Dante tells us. Tugging Harper alongside him, they settle at the opposite side of the table from where my father is sitting, with Harper on Dante’s lap.
Everything feels slightly surreal when she leans into him as if he’s her savior. I want to stop her, to tell her to be careful, but to be truthful, I have no idea what is actually going on.
One more person joins us. Rayne. The girl from Thanos’s mansion. She slides into a chair to the right of Dante, and my sister finally takes a seat to the left.
“Please, sit down,” Dante says. It’s alarming how the twins can look so alike, but their personalities are so vastly different.
Drake laces his fingers through mine, pulling me closer as we settle beside each other on the chairs that have been set out. The long, dark wood table can seat a fair number of guests, but I have a feeling this party is only for us.
River is beside me, his hand on my thigh, holding me steady, and I wonder if he’s keeping himself upright or me. Drake has my hand clenched so tightly in his I feel the tingle start in the tips as the circulation is cut off.
“Now,” Dante starts. “I’ve found out a few things about our wonderful parents that may make you recoil, but then again, this is the Savage Mansion,” he chuckles. “Many things that happen in here would make you cringe.”
“Dante, this game—”
“Oh, I assure you brother, this is far from a game.” Dante smiles, staring at me then turning his gaze on my mother. “The woman over there, Mrs. Amoretto.” He says her name for effect, to slowly slice at my heart. “Has two daughters, who are here tonight, Harper and Caia.” Blue eyes land on us both, flitting between my sister and me. “The thing about it is, you both thought dear mommy was dead,” Dante continues, and I wonder briefly if he’s stoned or high.
“Dante, this is ridiculous.” River’s voice is tight with tension and anxiety.
“Oh, but wait.” Our host rises. “My own mother,” he says, pointing to the other woman bound to a chair. “She walked out on Drake and me before we even knew her name. So, this brings me back to the reason for the dinner party tonight.” Dante lifts a bottle of wine which was set on the table and proceeds in filling the glasses. “Harper, if you’d be so kind.” He gestures to my sister who obeys him without question.
