"Don't. You'll be fine, and we'll get out of this. I promise. I've got a baby to live for and a newly found sister."
"What did you do to this man? Did you scorn him, too?"
I have no idea. And even if I did, what can I tell her at this point?
My brain is scrambling.
But maybe she just wants to talk. Needs to.
And so, I do. I keep it simple.
"I've never met him before the day he took you. That I know. Maybe I did as a small kid. Hells, maybeyoudid as a baby...our parents were friends back then."
She snorts and pushes me away so she can prowl the room. "Yeah. They knew each other too well, if you know what I mean."
I do. And I really wish I didn't.
I have memories of Enzo's mom, vague. And then hers, but beyond that...
"I know."
"So, what did you do to this Dom?"
"Nothing. He's the man our father owed money to.
"Ourfather."
I want to say to her that parenthood isn't just by birth and blood, it's about love and the person who chooses you.
Mario sure sounded like he'd known of the affair, of theparentage, for a long time, and he still chose to keep her close.
Sure, she went to boarding school, but I'm aware that two sides exist.
Maybe this man wanted her to have a good education. Maybe he didn't know what to do with a girl.
Or maybe he's just an asshole.
But I do know one thing. Brutal mafia men will get rid of an embarrassment or something they don't want.
And he could have done that. Easily, I imagine. But he didn't.
It must mean something.
But I keep it to myself. Again.
"So what? Enzo is rich, he can pay him. Da—Mario as well. They both owe me."
"Enzo said he had a deal with Dad before he died. And I was apparently meant to marry him." My stomach twists with queasiness at the thought.
"Eww. Gross."
"Agreed."
She finally sits on the other bed. "We need to get out, though?—"
"Wait. What about the phone?"
Her eyes light up as she goes for her pocket.
