Page 100 of Twisted Obsession

‘And how was that?’ I questioned.

‘Gullible, pliable, dutiful.’ Inwardly, I winced at what she thought of me.

‘I might have been all those things once. She doesn’t know me anymore.’ I started to shake my head slowly.

‘What changed?’ Peter pulled out one of the heavy dining room chairs and sat down, as he fought against the boat’s movements.

‘I fell in love, and I saw something different in me, because he saw me differently.’

‘To the lovely Lorenzo.’ Peter laughed as he opened his arms up wide, and I didn’t correct him.

‘If you have ever loved someone, you will know how I feel,’ I added.

‘I have loved and been loved,’ he nodded resolutely, as his face seemed momentarily captured by his memories. ‘And maybe I will be so again. Once we dock, I will be reconsidering my life choices.’

‘Will you help me do the same?’ I questioned, and I tensed as I awaited his reply.

‘My dearest stepdaughter, Giovanna,’ he began, and for a few seconds I was hopeful. ‘I will do whatever is necessary to get off this boat alive.’

‘So, you won’t help me?’ I questioned, before adding. ‘My brother will make it worth your while.’

‘Ahh, Salvatore, the great Don from Calabria—the same one who is this close to having his domain ripped out from underneath him. I have no need of his money.’

I hadn’t a clue what Peter was talking about, but refused to let my features show him my surprise, or that I was struggling with the fact that my whole family might now be at risk. Could this be why Dante had sent me away? I’d fought for years against my upbringing, but now it seemed so important in its significance, and no one was more surprised by that than me.

‘Then why did you marry my mama?’

‘I married her to cover up my truth.’

‘Your truth?’ I thought over what I already knew about the man in front of me. He’d been a widower with grown-up children when he married my mama and couldn’t fathom out what his “truth” might be.

Another sudden wave hit the boat. It wasn’t as bad as before, but the people onboard shouted and screamed as the boat groaned out its protest. I remained fixed in my seat, gripping hold of the couch with both hands, with my feet wedged firmly against the floor, feeling very aware of the weapon that was nestled against my spine

‘Unfortunately, you might appear to be my strongest bargaining tool,’ he carried on.

‘You mean to bargain with my life?’

‘To whichever Sicilian family learns first who has landed on their soil, or to them…’ he gesticulated with his head towards the stairs which led to the staterooms, and I followed his gaze.

‘Them?’ I questioned, as I took in that my stepfather had shown his hand. He wasn’t on any side but his own, and surely that made him even more dangerous.

‘Your dear mama and her lover.’ Peter spoke with a nonchalance that was hard to fathom.

‘Your wife?’ I added, ‘And Ricco?’

A broad smile spread over his face.

‘Well, well, Giovanna. You’re much more intelligent than she gave you credit for.’ Without saying as much, he had confirmed my suspicions.

‘Why do you put up with your wife having a lover, when it’s being thrust under your nose?’ I asked the question and at the very same second, I was finally hit with what the truth was about Peter Ariti.

‘That would be a very good question, if I cared anything about her, other than what she can do for me,’ he smirked.

‘I understand now.’ I nodded, trying to drive my point home. ‘No man who loved his wife would put up with it.’ I was aware that my voice had risen in strength, just as another flash of lightening lit up the dim saloon and a loud, reverberatingrumble rolled backwards and forwards directly above us. ‘Unless, of course, he was gay and was just using her for cover.’

Peter began to slow clap.

‘Maybe you’re not quite as clever as you think,’ Peter goaded, before he reached inside the jacket he was wearing and pulled out a gun.

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