Page 100 of The Devil's Den

There are lots of them, small enough to fit into a wallet. I realize, she must’ve taken them out before they took her wallet and put it inside here so Agnelo couldn’t get rid of them.

I glance at the first one, and it’s of her and me, both of us grinning with silly faces. Tears track over my cheeks, stumbling down my face. I wipe them away, not wanting to ruin the photo.

The next photo is of just me, or at least I think it is, because in it, I appear to be a newborn. Another is of Mom in the hospital, holding me, her grin wide as she gazes at me like I hold the answers to all of her problems.

Little did we know that only years later, our lives would be forever shattered. I sift through each photo, and once I find the last one, I see someone else in it—a man, and his eyes are the exact shade of hazel as mine.

“Dad,” I whisper, a finger running over them both. He has an arm flung over my mother while he holds me at his side.

My parents. The two people I can’t seem to remember, not unless I’m dreaming of my mother, and even still, I don’t see her anymore. And I want to, so badly.

“I have to find him,” I tell Matteo. “I have to try.”

“I know, and we will. I told Dom, and this morning he told me he’s found his address.”

I gasp, not believing he had done that for me already.

“We can go whenever you’re ready.”

I throw myself into his arms. “I want to go as soon as possible.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do.”

We separate, peering over at the two women. “I’m sorry about everything,” I say. “We didn’t want to hurt you this way, but I couldn’t allow you to live not knowing.”

“I appreciate it, dear girl.” Alison’s mom purses her lips, while Dora’s face is practically ashen. “You two are welcome anytime, you hear. Anytime.”

“Thank you.” We both rise, readying to go.

I give the old woman a hug, and she tucks me tighter to her, patting my back. “Bye, now.”

Dora takes us to the door, and she’s no longer the same woman who first opened it. Without even a goodbye, she closes the door behind us. The next thing we hear are the echoes of her sobs as they drift through the space and into my already broken heart.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO

AIDA

The next morning,while Matteo and his brothers spend quality time together, the girls and I do the same. Chiara and Raquel are in the kitchen, Raquel making coffee and cooking breakfast while Robby is planted in between Jade and me on the sofa.

I think they wanted us to have some alone time together and are taking longer on purpose, which I appreciate. There’s so much to say to her, yet at the same time, I don’t know what I could say to make any of this better. She lost her son, while I had him.

Earlier, before Robby woke up, she’d told me about what she’s been through and what her life has been like. She was abused. Raped repeatedly. Property of the Bianchis like many of the other women. I was lucky compared to her. She had no one. But I did. I had people that loved me.

She strokes Robby’s hair while he holds both of our hands, watching television. Agnelo never allowed me to watch television, so I have no idea what’s on.

“Mommy said you’re going to see your daddy tomorrow,” Robby says, glancing my way.

“Yeah, Matteo and I are going to go together.” I gaze into his innocent eyes, full of wonder and forgiveness. That’s one thing kids can do better than us—they can forgive. They can grow and adapt, while we stay stagnant.

It’s hard to bounce back from something that’s been so embedded in my life. I find the torture of the club in my nightmares, waking up to realize I’m not actually there at all. I hate that it’s still there in my subconscious. I’ve waited so long to live my life, to love Matteo, and I can’t even do that. I know it’ll take time and that I have to be patient, but I’ve waited long enough.

“Are you scared?” he asks.

“A little.”

“Well, you shouldn’t be. He’s going to think you’re great.” He grins. “Like I do.”

“Oh, Robby.” I hold back the emotions this sweet child brings out. “I hope you’re right.”

---