Page 69 of Vicious Redemption

And now, after everything that’s happened, I can’t even blame Leo for being mad.

My father might be the one responsible for Don Moretti’s death—and once again, I’ve tied myself to that ball and chain and launched it over the side of my floundering ship. It’s not sinking fast enough. Might as well sabotage myself to make sure I kill Leo’s trust in me stone dead.

I don’t think my father killed Don Moretti. He looked too surprised by the news at dinner. Then again, he’s a decent actor, and I clearly can’t trust my intuition when it comes to my family’s motives. I’m not confident in anything I believe anymore.

Staring morosely down at my hands, I wonder how I’m supposed to recover from this newest betrayal when Leo was just starting to trust me again. I can’t believe I was stupid enough to keep my sister’s phone. I should have disposed of it as soon as I had an inkling that she was working to collect information for my father.

God, I hope I didn’t say anything that’s made things worse again.

But I didn’t have to say anything, did I?

Leo already thinks I’ve betrayed him. And in a way, I did. Because I lied to him. I kept the phone. And I never told him about it or my father’s request to spy on him.

It doesn’t matter what my motivations were. Leo has every right to mistrust me.

I can hardly trust myself.

Tears trickle down my cheeks, and I sniffle as I wipe them away impatiently. I shouldn’t be feeling sorry for myself. I need to think of how I can make this right. If that’s even possible.

My heart skips a beat as someone knocks on the door.

“Come in!” I call, and for a fleeting second, my spirits lift as I imagine Leo stepping across the threshold, coming back to talk things out.

I spin as I rise to my feet, desperate words of apology halfway past my lips.

Then the door clicks softly open, and Leo’s butler, Luigi, stands in the threshold. He holds a cardboard box in his hands, his politely passive expression on his lined face. My stomach drops, and my hopes shatter.

“Signora, this arrived just a few minutes ago,” he states stiffly, extending the package to me.

And though I’m struggling to move beneath the weight of my anxiety and grief, I cross the room, closing the space between us.

“Signor Moretti said you should choose where it goes.” He hands me the package and waits, his expression carefully emotionless as he looks over my shoulder into the middle distance.

I must look like a wreck. But I wouldn’t know it by Luigi’s guarded indifference.

Suddenly nervous, I lift one corner of the box. My heart twists painfully. It’s the beautiful metalwork flower Leo placed such an extravagant bid on at the silent auction. Wrapped protectively in packing paper, I can just make out the rose’s curving stem and drooping petals. And with the tragically beautiful sight comes a wave of happy memories that fill me with despair.

The tears come again, fast and heavy, and I can’t stop them, even though I know my reaction must be baffling. Somehow, I feel like the artistic sculpture encapsulates the weight of my emotions, my sense of loss right now.

“Thank you, Luigi,” I say between tearful breaths as I work to keep it together. “I’ll keep it here with me.”

I collect the box from him and hug it to my chest, trying my best not to lose it completely. Carrying it back into the bedroom, I stare down into the box as I admire the glass-encased artwork. I set the box on the bed as I settle down beside it, at a loss for what to do next.

What I need is to speak with Leo, to find a way back to the space we were in before he discovered that stupid phone. Before everything fell apart at the seams. Instead, I have a reminder of that momentary bliss I’m not sure we’ll ever get back to.

It takes me a second to realize Luigi’s still standing in the doorway, as if waiting for me to take the time I need before he delivers bad news.

“Is there something else?” I ask, wiping at my wet cheeks and trying to pull myself back together.

He gives a slight bow, then hesitates a fraction as he straightens. “The master also informed me you were to be locked inside your chambers for the day,” he states. “Rico will be out here in case you need anything.” He gestures to the young, smartly dressed soldier I’m sure is under Leo’s command. “The kitchen will bring you breakfast shortly.”

My lips part in stunned silence. He can’t be serious. Not again. Why would he need to confine me to the room itself this time? The answer comes to me before I can ask. Because this time, it really is a punishment.

Luigi steps back into the hall, closing the door as he goes. My heart starts to pound. And before I can unfreeze my voice to object, I hear the key turn and the bolt slide home.

“Wait!” I demand, jumping up and racing across the room to pound against the door. “You can’t lock me in here!” I shout. “Luigi!” I scream, my sobs mingling with my pleas. “Let me out!”

But it doesn’t matter. He’s already gone. And once again, I’m trapped. My eyes flit to the balcony doors. Unless I’m ready to defy Leo and try to make another grand escape. I know I shouldn’t tempt myself, but I can’t help wondering if Luigi’s thought to post someone out there as well.

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