Page 16 of Hush 3: Hidden Family

After tonight, I will be named Don Trovati’s successor. Well, the son of the former Don Donati will be named his successor. I will not be announced by name.

It is our hope that everyone will assume I am Uri and fuck off. In a few years, this will all be forgotten. Don Trovati is in good health, and I pose no threat of taking his seat for now.

With any luck, Don Trovati will live a long life, and his brother will die or hide away until it’s time for me to take the seat. In the meantime, I will keep Symphony safe.

“I do,” Symphony says as she looks me in the eyes and holds my gaze for the first time today.

I come out of my thoughts. This is what needs to be done. I have taken the target off her back and placed it on mine. Well, they might come for Uri, but that would be a mistake.

“You may now kiss the bride.”

I look down at Symphony and she’s blushing furiously. I chuckle and pull her into a hug, kissing her forehead. She wraps her arms around me and hugs me, melting into me like I’m her safe place.

“It will be okay,” I murmur, knowing I’m speaking the words for myself more than anything.

CHAPTER 9

The Gift

Symphony

A year later …

I’ve been getting into fights in school. Uri and Michael have talked about homeschooling me. It would be easier, but I would be isolated.

Michael doesn’t want that for me. However, my temper and the incidents are drawing attention. It’s not my fault. The girls at school are mean to me.

I try to ignore them, but some days, I’m too overwhelmed to block them and everything else out. I’m never the first to hit. They are the ones who put their hands on me.

I have learned to defend myself, so I do. Can anyone blame me for that? I just hate making Michael angry and he gets really angry when I get into fights.

“Symphony, come and sit. It will be okay,” Annabella says from her seat on the couch.

I’ve been pacing since I got home. I haven’t been able to calm down, no matter what I try. My nerves are all over the place and I’m overwhelmed with anxiety.

I start to walk on my toes as my nerves get the best of me. I did beat Sandra down pretty bad. She picks on me the most.

After my first six months of being married, I wanted to be different. I stopped tearing out my hair and asked Annabella to help me cut my hair off so it would grow back evenly. Sandra has made fun of my honey-brown fro whenever she gets a chance. She and her friends are always teasing me.

They are mean and hateful. I don’t regret beating Sandra up. She slapped me, then pushed me to the ground and stepped on my hand.

“Where is she?” Michael’s voice booms through the house.

I stop pacing and turn for the doorway as I wring my hands. It’s all I can do to keep from tapping my fingers and chewing on my tongue. The music has been loud today.

I’m trying my best not to listen to it. That’s why I allowed Sandra to get to me. I couldn’t ignore her and the music.

Michael storms into the room and his eyes land on me. Adriano, my security guard who comes to school with me, is right on his heels. I want to groan. Adriano tells Michael everything.

“That is it. I’ve had enough. This shouldn’t be happening. It stops now. If the headmaster won’t stop them, I will,” Michael seethes as he cups the side of my face.

I glance at my husband’s handsome face. He looks angry but also concerned. Michael has changed so much in the last year.

His eyes have become more like Uri’s. There is a darkness within them. I look away quickly.

“I’m sorry,” I murmur.

“For what?”

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