Page 5 of Tainted Ties

“This time would be different, huh?” I snapped at her with the words she told me this morning. She knew my appearance had everything to do with my father.

When she tried reaching for me, I inched back. “What do you want?”

Hurt flashed across her face at my tone of voice. I knew I was taking my anger out on her, but all I wanted to do right now was scrub my skin raw.

“Yourpapàhas asked you to come downstairs.”He never deserved to be calledPapà, especially not after what happened today. When I called him that, it was endearing and showed my love.

A humorless laugh escaped me as I shook my head, the sting of tears pricking my eyes. “Of course, he did.”

I turned and left Chiara standing in the middle of the room, while I entered the bathroom.

Avoiding the mirror, I peeled my clothes off in revulsion before stepping into the shower. As soon as the water touched my skin, I scrubbed myself till my skin became red and painful.

This was a sick game that I didn’t want to be a part of. I needed to leave this awful life behind and start over. I knew I couldn’t do it alone and the one person who could help me was across the hall.

* * *

“Please, Enzo, help me,” I pleaded, my voice breaking.

My brother knew of the pain I endured these past few years because of our father and how I faded away day after day.

We weren’t close, and I almost couldn’t blame him, considering he was my father’s right-hand man. Almost.

For a moment, I thought he would slam the door in my face, but then the furrow between his brows eased. “He’ll come after you.”

I knew the risks. I knew my father might come after me, but this was the only chance I had at starting over. I held onto that sliver of hope that anchored me from losing myself completely.

“I’m aware and I’m not afraid.”

He waited for a beat before nodding in understanding, opening the door to his room wider.

* * *

The plan was simple; leave the house without being seen while Enzo distracted our father. A helicopter would be waiting for me a few miles away from the house.

Back in my bedroom, I quickly stuffed my duffle bag with my necessities.

Grabbing the photo on my nightstand table, I stared at the smiling faces. Chiara had captured the moment when we weren’t aware. I was ten in the photo, perched atop my mamma’s thigh. She was smiling down at me as I showed her my drawing. My father was seated beside her, gazing at her with something I hadn’t seen since she passed away:love. Enzo wasn’t in the photo, but he was there laughing at my drawing. I sighed as I shoved it in my bag, zipping it closed.

A gentle knock came through before Enzo stepped inside. “Ready?

I gave a nod, swinging the duffle bag over my shoulder.

The music sounded distant, coming from the other side of the house as we slowly made our way downstairs.

Once we reached the bottom steps, Enzo glanced back at me, and his eyes spoke volumes.I’m sorry it came to this.I gave him a brief hug before parting, appreciating the fact that he did this for me.

Walking down the corridor alone, I became jittery. I was close,soclose to leaving this life behind me. I would finally find peace and build a life filled with joy.

I hadn’t heard the footsteps behind me until it was too late, and a hand covered my mouth.

Thrashing against the strong arms that hauled me away, panic overtook my senses. I bit down on the hand covering my mouth, loosening the attacker’s grip long enough for me to run.

I didn’t get far before I was yanked back by my shirt and pushed against the stone wall, the impact of it disorienting me.

“Your father is waiting,” the man hissed, his breath hot against my cheek.

The last bit of energy and hope slowly dissipated as I was dragged away.

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