Page 11 of Tainted Ties

I almost felt a sense of home, but it wasn’t home—it hadn’t been for a long time now.

There were many emotions coursing through me, many things I could say to the ones who hurt me, but was that worth it? I was here for only a few days and then I’d return to my life.

I had two goals for this visit; finalizing the contract and avoiding my father at all costs.

The family house came into view and it appeared the same as it had ten years ago.

Memories swarmed in, my mind yelling at me to turn back.

“I’ve got it,grazie,” I thanked the driver, grabbing my luggage from him.

Instead of walking through the front door, I sought out the secret entrance on the side of the house.

Every step I took caused my heart to beat faster. The last time I went in through this way, all hell had broken loose.

“Front door is over there.”

That voice stopped me in my tracks, and I cursed myself for getting caught.

Just because I never called, doesn’t mean I forgot about you.

There was before my mother’s death and then after. As you can guess, the after was when everything in my life crumbled to pieces, including the relationship between my one and only sibling.

I’d be the first to admit that my brother is on my list of people I’m not fond of, but I couldn’t help the smile that slowly spread across my face.

I turned to find him staring at me with an amused expression.

He never was fond of suits. Even now, he had on a black fitted t-shirt and pants.

“I knew you still had an ounce of love left for your big brother,” he teased.

I strode toward him; a sense of nostalgia overcoming me. “Ha! You wish. I’m here to pay my debt.”

Enzo always had a ruggedness to him and over the years, it had grown tenfold. His full beard and man bun were only the tip of the iceberg.

Although he had helped me escape, he hadn’t protected me from our father when I needed him to. It was hard to forgive him, even if my father was ultimately the one to blame.

“Debt or no debt, it’s good to see you,sorella mia.” His voice came out soft as he embraced me.

* * *

I avoided seeing anyone else and headed straight to my room.

I was shocked to find it untouched, as if I had never left.

This must’ve been Enzo’s doing, because my father would have demolished this room the minute I ran away from home.

There was no time to dwell on the past. Reliving memories usually ended up with me in a fetal position, heaving from crying too much.

The fact of the matter was, I hadn’t been involved in the family business for a decade now—not that I ever really was—and I needed to prepare for tonight’s meeting.

I didn’t know what to expect except for arrogant men fighting over superiority.

A knock came on my bedroom door, pulling me away from my thoughts, and I hesitated for a moment before opening it.

A petite young woman, dressed in a housekeeper’s outfit entered my room. “Enzo sent lunch.”

She was young, too young to be working here. Her youthful red cheeks told me she must be in her early twenties.

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