Page 19 of Vicious Redemption

“That’s not the point, though. Father planned it all and brought Mayor Romney in right as Leo was threatening to put Maury in his place. And, of course, Maury couldn’t keep his mouth shut, so he was antagonizing Leo into it, all but declaring open war between our two families.”

Shocked and suddenly nervous, Maria asks tentatively, “What do you think Leo might do? Will he hurt our family?”

“I don’t know,” I admit, my fear tightening my chest once more. “I tried my best to reason with him, but he’s furious. And I don’t know what else to do. Maybe if I could appease Leo, we could find some way to stop both sides, but he clearly doesn’t trust me anymore because Father told him I was in on the plan to betray Leo. And then, of course, it didn’t help my case when I followed that up by pleading for Father’s life.”

Maria swallows hard. “Well, maybe it’s not as bad as you think. He let you come see me, didn’t he?”

Biting my lip, I shake my head. “Actually, he took my phone and didn’t even want me to leave the house. I had to sneak off the property and walk here. I don’t know that I’ll ever get Leo to trust me enough to talk him down—and even if I do, how can I trust that Father won’t try something rash to provoke the issue further?”

With that determined look on her face that I love so well, Maria presses her phone into my palm. “Take mine. I can get a different one, and that way, we can stay in touch. We’ll work something out,” she assures me. “We always do.”

Her almost-childlike conviction fills me with deep affection. Maria might be my younger sister, but she’s the only person who has never failed me. She’s the only one I can always trust. I pull her into a fierce hug, feeling much better if for no other reason than that I got to see her.

“Thank you,” I murmur.

“Always,” she assures me, giving me a tight squeeze in return.

“I should probably get going,” I say reluctantly.

Maria nods. “I’ll call you soon,” she assures me.

Pressing a kiss to my sister’s forehead, I rise from her bed and slip back out of her room. Closing the door behind me, I turn—and stop dead in my tracks as I come face-to-face with the last person I want to see.

“Father,” I breathe. My heart breaks into a sprint. Did he overhear my conversation with Maria? My stomach knots at the possibility that I’ve just done it again—unwittingly said something that jeopardizes Leo. Because my father looks far too pleased to see me.

“Tia, this is a pleasant surprise,” he says, his eyes dancing wickedly.

10

TIA

“You wouldn’t come for a visit and deprive your dear old dad of the pleasure of a hug, would you?” Father asks, pulling me into a bear hug.

Stunned by his uncharacteristic display of affection, I stumble into the embrace, my heart twisting as my emotions suddenly go to war with one another. Once upon a time, I would have coveted a hug from my father. I cherished any sign of affection, any indication of worth that he sent my way.

Now, it feels fake, almost manipulative. And I’m near desperate for him to release me.

Holding me at arm’s length, he looks at me with unbridled warmth, and it sends a shiver down my spine.

“Come have a chat with me, Tia. It’s been too long,” he insists, pulling me beneath one arm as he gives my shoulders an affectionate squeeze.

He leads me back down the hall and into his office, where I’ve never been allowed before. It’s a richly decorated room, with leather upholstered chairs, an ornately carved mahogany desk, and beautiful oil paintings of English fox hunting scenes showcased in elegant gold frames.

He closes the door behind us, and my pulse flutters uncomfortably. Like a mouse caught in a trap, I wait to see what my father could possibly want from me after everything he’s done.

“Sit, Tia,” he insists, gesturing to a chair on the near side of his desk as he rounds the rich mahogany surface and settles into his wingback chair. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of you.”

My stomach drops. How can he finally be saying everything I ever wanted to hear growing up, and now it only makes me want to squirm?

“When Maria told me you were looking for ways to overthrow Leonardo Moretti, I knew something I’d always suspected—that you’re too smart to simply be sold off as some dolt’s wife. I made the right choice marrying you to the Moretti heir because only you are strong enough to stand up to him, to use your intellect to search for his weaknesses.”

Leaning forward in his chair, my father looks upon me with a sense of pride that wrings the happiness from my heart. “Together, you and I can put an end to the Morettis’ reign of terror.”

I never should have come home. Nausea rises in my throat as I realize just how terrible the idea was. I hadn’t dreamed my father would have the time of day to corner me. Especially when Maria said he’s been in meetings all morning. I just wanted to see Maria. And now I suspect I’m about to learn how deeply I will come to regret my decision.

“You should start spying for me, Tia,” he states, cutting to the chase as his voice drops with excitement. “Feed me any useful information so we can wipe out the Morettis once and for all.” His smile is conspiratorial, like he’s certain that’s why I came here in the first place.

Horrible, violent guilt rises up inside me, twisting my body into knots. I shouldn’t be here. I don’t want to spy for my father. I’ve already lost everything because of him. Leo and I might never recover after what happened. And it’s my father who’s driven a wedge between us. Time and again, he’s moved me like a chess piece across a board, forcing me to abandon whatever attachments I’ve made, whatever hopes I’ve dared dream of.

---