Antonia looks up at me, confused, her big eyes searching my face.
“Brando, please,” I whisper.
He used to be the only one who showed me any kindness. Now the cold look in his eyes sends ice down my spine. That friendship died a long time ago.
Brando extends a hand toward Antonia. “Want to play a game?”
She tilts her head, pouting. “What kind of game?”
“We have a one-year-old baby. Do you want to meet him?”
Antonia scrunches up her nose. “No. Adam has a one-year-old sister. He says little babies are boring. They don’t talk, they don’t play, they just eat, sleep, and poop.”
Maxim chuckles, throwing in another remark. “Hey, kid, you’re the only one in this family who actually agrees with me about babies. I like you.”
My stomach drops. Pure terror shoots through me. I lunge forward, scoop Antonia up, and back away fast.
Brando stands fast and shoots Maxim a hard glare.
Maxim laughs, hands up. “Relax, I didn’t mean it like that. I’m not a pervert.”
Is he joking? This man can’t keep his dick in his pants. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve caught him screwing the maids.
I snap back immediately. “Of course you are.”
Maxim smirks, tilting his head in mock agreement. “Yeah, I am. But I swear on both my balls, no part of me ever touched a girl under eighteen.”
Antonia pipes up softly, “I like playing with balls.”
Maxim’s grin falters instantly, and Brando mutters a curse under his breath.
Carlo takes a step forward, his voice a quiet, dangerous warning. “Send the kid away. I don’t think you want her here for this conversation, Lucia. It’s not in her best interest.”
I clutch Antonia tighter and instinctively step back.
Carlo gives Brando a single look. Brando moves toward me without hesitation. I know he’s going to take Antonia by force, but I’m ready to fight to my last breath.
He’s almost on me when another child’s voice distracts him.
A woman steps into the room, the last person I ever expected to see again. Emily.
The girl we sacrificed years ago for our escape.
In all these years, Tony and I never spoke about Italy. I never knew what happened to her.
But she’s here now.
With a child, barely a year old, his fist shoved in his mouth, babbling loudly.
Emily hasn’t changed much in five years. Her face is more mature, more beautiful, but it’s still her.
Carlo’s head snaps around at the sound of the child, his fists clenching. His voice is sharp, edged with warning as he looks at Emily.
“What are you doing here?”
But Emily’s dark eyes are locked on me and Antonia.
Carlo steps closer, his presence looming as he orders, “Leave, Emily. Now.”
