Page 118 of Scarred Hearts

I clenched my jaw as Giovanna’s hand rested on my thigh, her head leaning on my shoulder. To keep myself calm, I laced my fingers together with hers.

“After Gino died in surgery, the Mussolini family insisted I turn myself over to them. That night, I took your mother out on a date and told you in the video that I was turning myself over to them. It was all true.” He paused for a few moments before glancing at my mother, and she nodded, giving him the courage to press on. “We didn’t get that far. Several weeks before the accident, I had a visit from Allen.” He nodded at his friend. “Allen is an old friend of mine from the CIA.”

Jenna and I turned to one another with wide eyes, and she took my other hand, holding it tightly as we turned back to our father.

“Allen informed me the government needed a favor from me, and in return they’d protect your mother and me and always keep an eye out on you both. What we didn’t account for is you,” he nodded at Jenna, “ending up with someone like Ian Knight.” He looked at me, “And you ending up with an Aggio. Those were both very pleasant surprises.”

“I don’t get it,” I finally said. “Why?”

“I’ll never be able to reveal what the government needed from me. Gino was never a part of that plan, however, it just so happened, we were at war with them too. But the night that happened, the CIA swooped in, using that as an opportunity to get us out of the country until they fixed everything.”

“Fixed everything?!” I snapped. “You were gone from our lives for years, and we assumed you were dead!”

Jenna and Giovanna both squeezed my hands.

“I know,” my mother replied, tears falling from her cheeks. “It killed us to be away from you both.”

“Why did you come back now?” Jenna croaked out. “After so long, I mean?”

“Because your brother took out our sole reason for having to flee. We were able to safely return.”

Ian shifted in his seat. “I’m assuming the Russians?”

Allen lifted a hand. “We’ve been after that family for years now. I can’t tell you why they were wanted, but Tyler,” Allen met my gaze, “you not only saved your family. You saved your entire country.”

I let out a skeptical laugh before it finally settled in, and I became serious. “So, then you know I’m now in charge of the Aggio family.”

Allen nodded. “And if you work with us, we can be sure your family,” he said, lifting his chin to Ian, “and your family, stay out of legal trouble for the rest of your lives.

“And if I don’t?” I asked.

Allen and my father exchanged smiles before turning back to me. “I think we can turn a blind eye to your business anyway.”

“Wait!” Jenna snapped. “Are Jade and Kieran really related to us?!”

The three of them nodded, but my father replied, “Yes, and we’d like to meet them soon too.”

“We’re just happy to finally be back,” my mother cried. “We’ve missed you both so much.”

“What about the public?” I asked. “You were… are both well known.”

Allen nodded. “I’m handling that for them with a cover so they can return to society soon.”

“What about the Mussolini’s killing you?”

“It wasn’t them,” Allen interjected. “They only thought it was.”

In that moment, my heart opened up. It was no dream, but it was a dream come true. I’d missed my parents, and for so long, I wanted my mom to meet Giovanna because I knew she would’ve loved her.

Standing, I sauntered across the room, and my parents stood. I brought my mother into my arms in a tight hug. “Welcome home… both of you.”

I took a step back, holding my hand out and Giovanna waltzed over. I took her left hand in mine, holding it up to my parents. “We’re getting married, so?—”

My mother pushed me out of the way, throwing her arms around Giovanna, sobbing into her shoulder. “I’m so excited to see at least one of my kids get married in person!”

“—you should come.” I shrugged.

Jenna snickered. “You always were the favorite,” she said before her breath hitched. “Wait, what do you mean, in person?”

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