The way he’s talking, the tone he’s using. It isn’t wise to disrespect Nonno in his family’s home. Especially in front of Nazario and the rest of us. I would have no issue killing him right here.
Except it would kill Althea if I did.
“But even if I did, I wouldn’t know what she’s talking about.” Daemon turns back to Althea. “Should I?” His question is directed at her.
“No. I guess not,” she concedes. “But it doesn’t change the fact that your real name is Annanias Drakos and youaremy brother.”
Althea pulls steps back into me, my hands finding her waist, needing to touch her. She wipes her hands over her face, brushing away her tears. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to freak you out. It’s just been—I’ve been searching for you for a long time.”
“I don’t know how I’m supposed to respond to that. I’ve never been told I had a sister,” Daemon replies. “Is there, like, a birth certificate or some kind of proof that we’re related somewhere? Or am I just supposed to take you at your word?” Bitterness clouds the edge of his voice, and I find myself wondering if he isn’t playing some kind of game. Making her purposely feel like shit for something that isn’t her fault. Again, Nonno’s words slam into me.
She carries a burden of guilt.
A guilt that isn’t hers to carry.
“Um, yeah. I’m sure I can get something from Mama and Papa. She’ll have pictures and things. But um, if you’re really not sure, we could always take a blood test,” Althea offers. “Whatever you need.”
“Yeah. Sure. Whatever.” Daemon takes a step back, putting more space between them. I feel the disappointment in the sudden drop of Althea’s shoulders and give her hips a reassuringsqueeze. She shifts, tucking herself up under my arm, seeking my shelter, and I gladly oblige her.
I kiss the top of her head and whisper, “Give him time, baby.” She nods, turning her face into my chest.
“We’ve got some shit to discuss,” Nazario breaks through the silence. “Aunt Vella, will you take Althea and get her something to eat? Maybe you could find something she could help you with for the wedding. We may have to speed things up a bit.” Naz tips his head subtly.
“Of course.” Vella sidles up to Althea, gripping her shoulder, tugging her away from me. I hold tighter, scowling at my aunt, not wanting to release Althea just yet.
“She’ll be fine, dear. I’ll take good care of her. You have my word.” Vella smiles reassuringly. “Besides, we have a wedding dress to pick out this afternoon, and I’d like her opinion on some of the things you’ve requested. Make sure she is happy with them. But first, I need to feed her. A girl needs her strength.”
Althea looks up at me. Her eyes are still glassy, and her smile dim. She steps up onto her tiptoes and kisses the corner of my mouth and whispers, “I’ll be okay.” When our eyes meet again, that strange ache in my chest returns, and I find it hard to let her go. But with another quick kiss to her head, I do.
Once the women have left the room, Nazario starts growling. “Let’s take this shit into the office. And you,” he points to me. “I like her. She’s a good fit for you. But if she throws another knife at me again, I’m putting a bullet in your ass for allowing it.”
The corner of my lips curves up into a pride-filled smirk.
“You’re paid to protectme,you asshole,” Naz grumbles, and I shrug.
Yeah, but I’d do more than kill for her. I’ll traipse through hell for eternity if it means I get to keep my little devil by my side.
29
ALTHEA
“Well, this has been an eventful morning,” Vella says, pouring a glass of wine for each of us, not caring how early it is. If I’m honest, I don’t care either. “How are you holding up, dear?”
“I don’t know,” I tell her truthfully. “I guess I knew there was a chance Annanias wouldn’t remember, but …”
“A part of you hoped he would see you and something in his mind would click,” Vella finishes my thoughts.
“Yeah. Something like that.”
“It’s still possible.” She smiles over her glass. “Sometimes these things take time. And sometimes people shove memories down so deep because they don’t want them to resurface. You need to give your brother time to decide which one is true for him.”
“And if he chooses to stuff the memories and forget his family because some asshole decided to brainwash him with lies about a family that never wanted him?” Anger stirs in the pit of my stomach, mixing with the bitter taste of truth on my tongue. Annanias could remember his family, but not the truth about them, and I may never be able to repair that damage.
“You will always be his family. That will never change. Just because he may choose to forget, doesn’t mean you have to.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Well,” Vella sets her glass down on the counter, then picks up my hand in hers. “Perhaps you can make a new place in each other’s lives for the two of you to have a relationship. Instead of trying to rebuild from your childhood, you start from here, now.” She smiles. “You two grew up in two very different childhoods, with different memories, but you’re still twins. You can still talk about them, and you also make new ones. Rediscover what each other likes and dislikes. Embrace who Daemon is now and show him you accept him. He’ll come around.”
