Page 77 of Merciless Queen

“She’s nothing,” I cut her off. “Less than nothing. Conversation over, Sera. Your job here is nearly finished so Nero will be taking you home soon.” Given her reaction, even though it’s valid, soon might be later this afternoon.

Without blinking and voice dripping with venom, she grits, “Myjob?Careful now. You’re becoming more and more like your father. Madre says he was a heartless asshole.”

I’m not like Padre becauseIdon’t abandon family. “He had a specific role to play. As do I.”

She crosses her arms, her jaw ticking rigid. “Is it yourroleto keep the truth from me? She’shisdaughter. Which makes her my?—”

“Don’t say it,” I cut her off again, tone lowering. “You share DNA with her and nothing more. You’re not them, no matter what the past indicates.”

One second passes. A beat of my heart.

Her arms lower back to her side, her expression softening. If she were another woman, her behaviours might indicate I’m winning, but Serafina’s like our mother, which means she’s only gearing up for another round of arguing.

“I might not be them. I might not even belikethem. And I’ve never wanted to know the man who destroyed Madre’s will. But you know what my goddamn rights are?” She jabs her finger inthe direction of the villa’s upper floor. “I was fine to not chase my past when it only involved Ursin, but learning about a sister thatyoukept from me…my rights include seeing her. Like it or not,fratello, you brought her and I together, so now you have to deal with it.”

Maybe some of what she’s saying is logical, but I won’t be entertaining it because for now, despite my plans for Vanessa, I can’t guarantee she wouldn’t try to taint Serafina against us. Serafina’s entire job was to break Vanessa, so when I strap the final chains around her ankle—her finger technically—and officially make us all one giant, fucked-up family, Serafina can return to her life.

My sister leans closer, lowering her voice. “The Bratva isnotmy family, so don’t think I’ll find something in her that I’m missing. But I do want to meet her again.”

My blood cools. “No.” Simple answer. Not happening. Nothing beyond the quick interaction this morning that served a specific purpose.

Instead of arguing, she glances toward the villa’s upper floor, a sadness igniting in her eyes. “She had no idea about me either, did she?”

“Sì.Before recently, I didn’t plan for you two to meet.”

Serafina’s eyes bulge with disbelief but instead of shouting, she steps to the side with a hard shake of her head. “You’re un-fucking-believable. I don’t know…I can’t…” She pauses, betrayal darkening her eyes. “I’m done.” She stalks toward the house.

Nero watches her pass. “Do you remember when I suggested?—”

“Yep,” I cut him off. He suggested I tell Serafina about Vanessa, and I didn’t listen. “You know as well as anyone, had I done that, she would have tried to take off for Moscow. It’s difficult enough keeping her in Ostia, let alone limiting her to the country. It was for the best.”

“Was,” he repeats in a contemplative tone, coming to stand beside me.

Was, because now I’m not so sure.I sigh, turning to scan the lounge chair he was previously occupying, hoping there’s a bottle of his beloved liquor somewhere because I can certainly use a drink. And the day’s only beginning.

“Are you really going to keep them apart?”

“I have no damn clue,” I reply, and it’s the truth. And also an issue for later. I nod in the direction my sister’s gone, Venus loyally trailing after her. “Keep her in the house for now but out of sight of the front entrance.”

Nero turns with me, a question in his eyes. “What are you planning?”

“Easier to be a friend than an enemy. I’m going to give her something she’s dying for.”

“Freedom?”

My gaze passes over the vast land, in the distance where the grass greets the sky decorated with white clouds. “Something like that. Just keep my sister inside for now. Did you get the documents I’ll need?”

He shakes his head, stuffing his hands in his pockets as we walk. “Been busy babysitting. Haven’t had the chance yet.”

“Right.”

He flicks a finger toward my wet collar. “Am I allowed to ask or should I guess that it involved Volkov?”

I shove him away, grumbling, “Oh, fuck off,” but he only chuckles.

We make it to the back door before parting ways, his final statement following me long after I gather clothing for Vanessa from Serafina’s room.

“Don’t let your guard down, Zeno. That’s when Vanessa will strike.”

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