Page 4 of Tainted Ties

Bang!

The gun slipped from my trembling fingers as the floor shifted beneath my feet, the ringing in my ears consuming me.

The body slumped forward, blood dripping on the white snow, marking it red—the proof of what I had done.

Gaping down at myself, I wanted to scream in horror. I was covered in blood.

The roiling in the pit of my stomach rose to the surface before I lurched forward and retched.

“You were doing so well.” My father tsked, making his disappointment evident.

I felt lightheaded as the shock of what I had done covered me in a thick blanket. I whimpered, covering my mouth to contain my sobs.I need to get out of here.

A rush of adrenaline coursed through me, and I ran. I ran as fast as I could until I reached the car before fumbling with the key in the engine, cursing until it roared to life.

Backing away from the field, I let the sounds of my sobs fill the small space.

Through the short drive, I pulled the blood-soaked coat off me, weeping as the stench hit my nostrils. “Oh God,please,”I said thoughtlessly, not knowing what I was pleading for. Forgiveness? Death?

Staring at the multitude of cars that now surrounded my house, I knew my poor excuse for a father had done this on purpose. He never did anything without thinking it through.

What was his intention?I couldn’t go inside covered in blood and he knew that.

Remembering there was a secret side entrance to the house for emergencies, I ran to it.

Tapping in the security code, I slipped inside.

Soft Italian music mixed with masculine voices buzzed in the air.

The corridor was dimly lit as I cautiously walked through it, hoping to avoid any wanderers.

Rounding the corner, I collided with a hard surface, causing me to lose my footing and stumble backward.

An arm circled my waist, steadying me. “Careful,” the mysterious man said, his voice deep and solemn.

The small amount of light from a wall lamp illuminated the space between us.

My breath caught in my throat.

A pair of eyes as black as the midnight sky trailed the length of my face. Eyes that carried underlying danger and dominance.

His gaze settled on my busted lip, an expression dark enough to conjure up a storm.

That single look from him burned my skin, causing me to remove myself from his grasp.

Avoiding his searing gaze, I excused myself, my voice barely a whisper.

As I ascended the stairs, I felt his eyes touch every inch of my body, igniting a burning heat within me. The sheer awareness of him watching me slowed my breathing until I shut my bedroom door.

I leaned my head against it, trying to cool myself down.

Who the hell was that?Surely no one good if he was in my father’s house.

A few moments passed before I heard a knock. “Who is it?”

“Open up,figlia mia.” Relief flooded through me at Chiara’s voice.

I opened the door and when she took in my appearance, a horrified expression masked her soft features. “What happened to you?”

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