I’m escorted out. No one is there to say goodbye. Then again, it’s the middle of the night. It’s probably how he wants it.
During the car ride back to the Vitale estate, I stare out the window knowing my life is going to be worse at home, and my mind is working to figure out other options. Could I run? Startover somewhere with my baby? But I have no money of my own, nowhere safe from either the Dantes or the Vitales.
The driver pulls up to the gate, and one of Alessandro’s soldiers exits the front seat and opens the back door where I’m sitting. He grips my arm and pulls me out. Leaving me standing by the car, he returns to the front passenger seat and they drive away.
If I’m going to run, this is the time. But it’s the middle of the night and I have zero resources.
I press the button at the gate and let one of my father’s guards know I’m here. For a moment, I wonder if they’ll let me in. Moments later, the gate opens, and I walk up the long drive to the house.
The front door opens as I approach. My father stands there in his robe, his expression a scowl. Behind him my mother waits, her head down. Enrico stands on the lower landing of the stairs, irritation in his eyes.
I wonder if Alessandro called them.
“What is the meaning of this?” My father steps aside so I can walk in. “It’s nearly four in the morning.”
I step over the threshold, and the door closes behind me. I grew up in this house, but I don’t feel like I’m coming home.
"So, the great Alessandro Dante has returned you as damaged goods,” Enrico sneers.
My father glares at him over his shoulder. “I hope you didn’t run away?—”
“He sent me away. He believes I betrayed him."
"And did you?" Enrico asks, his voice casual.
“No. You did.”
My father turns to Enrico. “What does she mean by that?”
“Perhaps Don Vitale would like to meet in his office,” Mr. Paolo, the butler, says, appearing in his robe. “I’ll have Mrs. Benetti make coffee.”
“Yes, yes.” My father waves me and Enrico to his office. My mother is never allowed in there, but she waits until we’re gone before ascending the stairs. At least someone is getting some sleep tonight.
“So, what do you mean Enrico knows?” My father pours himself a drink and then sits behind his desk.
I remain standing in front of it. “He’s got Enrico on surveillance destroying something at one of the Dante warehouses.”
“Lies. All lies.” Enrico smirks.
“You’re on camera,” I say.
He shakes his head. “Impossible.”
I sigh, feeling exhausted. “Well, I’m sure you can explain to him when he shows you the evidence.”
My father’s eyes narrow at Enrico. “Is this true?”
“There’s no evidence.”
Interestingly, he didn’t say he didn’t do it.
“Why would Alessandro think there is?” my father demands.
Enrico shrugs as he pours himself a drink. “Don’t know. All I know is that there was no operable surveillance.”
“Oh, fuck. What did you do?” My father scrapes his hand over his face. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen him look old and tired.
“He disrespected me… us,” Enrico spits. “I’m tired of waiting. He’s weak now, we should?—”
