“Zaira. I was just coming up to see you,” she says.
I give her a chaste hug. “Have you seen Vince? I need to speak with him.”
“He’s downstairs in his study. He just got back from meeting with his client in Edinboro. You know, that biker guy? Vince has asked about you.”
“Well, I’m heading his way, so he can see for himself,” I reply smartly and then I suddenly feel bad for being so short with my little sister. I know she means well and cares about me. “I’m sorry, Mia. I’ve just got a lot on my mind. I didn’t mean to take it out on you.”
“Hey, no worries, sis. I know you are going through a rough time. I’m here if you need to talk.” She leans in and gives me another hug and turns to head down the stairs. I follow behind. Mia turns right, and I proceed left toward Vince’s study.
When I get to the door, it is slightly ajar. “Vince? May I come in?” I ask, peeking my head in to ensure I am not interrupting a meeting with someone.
“Zaira, of course. Come on in.”
I can see he is genuinely glad to see me. It really is a rare occasion over these last two weeks for me to leave the safety and confines of my room. Perhaps he’s taking it as a good sign that I have ventured out on my own.
“How are you feeling today?” he asks.
“Well, that’s one of the reasons I came to see you. I’d like to take an extended vacation.”
“Oh,” he says, disappointed. “Where were you planning on going?”
“I want to go to Florence.”
“Damn, Zaira, I don’t think I can get the time away. I just got back from Edinboro, and Mia will be going back to school soon. We just can’t go now.”
“You’re not understanding me. I want to go alone.”
He shakes his head. “That’s impossible, Zaira. I can’t let you go alone. It’s not safe.” He thinks for a moment. “Besides, Michael would have my head if I let you leave here without one of us.”
“In case you have forgotten, dear brother, I no longer belong to Michael Vitali,” I say.
Vince rises from his chair. “No, little sister, you have forgotten that this entire family belongs to Michael Vitali. It was part of the deal, and I don’t regret it one single minute.” He waits to see if I say anything back, and when I don’t, he says, “And you are still his wife.”
This is so unfair. So I’m a damn prisoner either in this house or his for the next fucking year. “Can’t one of the body guards go with me? Can’t D go with me?”
“I don’t know, Zaira. I would have to clear it with Michael.” He shakes his head in frustration.
I beg. “Vince, please. I really need to get away from all this. We still have the family villa in Florence. You can send men there to protect me. I should be fine. I promise I will behave and stick to the grounds. Please.”
Sitting back down, he says, “Aw fuck, Zaira. Let me see what I can do.”
“Thank you.” Normally I would give him a big hug and a kiss on the cheek, but right now, I’m not feeling the love. My brother betrayed this family and sold it to the Vitalis.
