It’s childish calling Allegra that, but I need to put a firmer barrier between us. When she said my name after I’d threatened grievous bodily harm, my nervous system went haywire. I’ve never heardBonniesound so…dangerous before.
“Take a seat, sweetheart,” Pop says, patting the spot next to him and Kelley.
A sinking feeling makes itself at home in my chest. I’d wondered if my dads knew about Lorenzo, and I think I’m about to get the answer.
Dad crouches by my knee. He smells of Gucci for Men, whereas Pop smells like Versace. I’ve always ribbed them for being cologne snobs. It’s the only stylish thing about them. Pop has a wool obsession like me, and Dad wears garish bow ties most days.
“Can you just tell me?” I ask. “I’ve had enough surprises lately. I can’t deal with any more secrets.”
Pop squeezes my thigh, and Dad drops his head. “I’m sorry, pumpkin. We never thought this would happen. Lorenzo promised you weren’t in any danger as long as your identity was protected.”
My throat bobs as I try to swallow. “You’ve known about him all this time?”
Dad looks up into my eyes. “We’ve never met the man until today. We received a letter when we finalised your adoption.”
“What did it say?”
Pop sighs. “Nothing and everything, I suppose. Lorenzo felt it necessary to warn us. The letter was brief and didn’t give any details. He said that letter would be the last time we would ever hear from him, and at that moment, my dear, we were so delighted to finally have you, we chose to believe him and forget about it.”
Dad takes Pop’s hand. “Look, we’re not stupid people, Bonnie. The letter alluded to a genuine threat to your life. It didn’t exactly paint your biological father as a good person. It’s not like he was a known criminal. Well, not in the UK, anyway. But the clues were there. Clearly, he was into things no child should ever be a part of. So we decided to leave it be. Neither your Pop nor I saw a benefit in digging into something that could bring you harm. And…as time went by, we didn’t see the point in worrying you with it. Lorenzo was never supposed to reappear.”
“Darling, if for one second we thought having Lorenzo in your life would’ve been beneficial, we would have told you,” Pop adds on.
“Ignorance was the way to keep you safe,” Dad finishes.
Does this change anything? Probably not. Whether they knew about him or not doesn’t erase what’s happening here and now. Do I wish they’d told me? I’m not sure. Maybe I would have felt curious and looked into Lorenzo Ferrante. I can understand why my dads wouldn’t want me doing that.
“You’re going to tell me to go to Sicily, aren’t you?”
Pop strokes my hair like he did when I was a little girl and struggling to process the world. “What do you want to do?”
I look at him with raised eyebrows. “I want to go home and forget all about this. I want to go to work and then go home to my microwave meals.”
That pulls furrowed brows from both parents. Okay, so Allegra’s assessment of my life may have stung, because it was pretty much spot on, although the wool dig was unnecessary.
“Okay, now what do you think you should do?” Dad asks.
I blow a raspberry. “I should go to the stupid villa?”
Pop and Dad chuckle. “I think that’s the right call, sweetheart,” Pop soothes.
“You’re both coming too, though. If the threat is as bad as Lorenzo thinks, I want you with me.”
Pop nods. “Of course. We’re due for a holiday, anyway.”
“Should we call Pete?” Kelley asks. She’s nibbling on her bottom lip. “I mean, if people are looking for you, we have to assume they know who your friends are.”
My first reaction is to laugh. Allegra is going to lose her shit if I demand Pete be brought along, too. “Maybe I should ask Lorenzo. He knows who we’re up against.”
“I’ll go,” Dad says. My guess is he wants a few more words with him. “While I do that, why don’t you help Kelley get washed and dressed? It’s a beautiful day. No need to stay cooped up in here.” His eyes are roaming over the wallpaper and furniture. His dislike is written all over his face.
Once Kelley is washed—and her hair tamed—we head outside. I’m on edge waiting for Toni the Giant to pop out and shout at me for leaving the house. He doesn’t. Actually, he waves as I walk by. His hair is still greased back, and he’s wearing the same dark suit as before, but for whatever reason, he looks less threatening in the daylight.
As soon as we step outside, the roar of the ocean pulls my attention. One side of the property looks over a sheer cliff face. The ocean is choppy, and waves batter the rocks. I am flabbergasted we made it to the cave entrance without being impaled.
Looking around doesn’t give me any clue as to where we are. I guess it doesn’t matter considering we’ll be moving on soon. Kelley links her good arm with me as we stroll. Dark Land Rovers line the front of the mansion. Cliché, in my opinion. The Ferrante family could at leastpretendthis isn’t a mob house.
“It’s good to get some fresh air,” Kelley says. My dads are still talking to Lorenzo, and as much as I want to know what’s going on, Kelley needs me more.
