Page 40 of Fratelli: Eternal Bloodlines

Dolly smiled. “I think this suite is big enough for all of us.”

Russell shrugged. He stared down at the diamond chain and medallion. He shook his head. “I thought my dream was this shit. Being a number one streamer, having girls, and money. Being popular.”

“There is nothing wrong with that dream.”

“I was wrong. My dream was to have you both together with me, always. Not in secret. The both of you as my sisters. Now I can see Darlene whenever I want.”

Dolly nodded.

“I guess I got Lucio to thank for that.”

“No,” Dolly said. “That’s all, you little brother. You are still the number one man in our life.”

Russell was slow to smile, but when he did, Dolly’s heart melted. Inside of her, Darlene was laughing with happiness.

Chapter 17

Who is she?

Bellagio - Las Vegas, Nevada

April 17, 2018

(4 Days Before Death)

“Where are you from again?”Lucio asked.

His intense stare bore a hole through Charmaine. She felt trapped. She wanted to melt into herself. Charmaine could not take the pressure of his unblinking stare.Eyes, eyes, eyes were everywhere. Was this the moment that everything was built toward? The moment she finally understood why being watched meant no escape. Maybe her paranoia was an actual warning. A premonition of her powers. If she had just relaxed, like Liora told her, she would have been prepared to be watched.

Charmaine tried to reach out and feel for Liora, but her presence was gone. Liora had also warned her that in the company of a Master Vampire, she would be on her own unless it was time for war.

“Who is Liora?” Lucio asked.

“Huh?” Charmaine replied.

“So, you know I’m a vampire? And a Master? Liora told you this?” Lucio asked. “She wants war with me?”

“Not to be rude, but I don’t want to discuss this with you. I want to talk to Dolly,” Charmaine said.

Lucio. Stop. Leave her alone.

Lucio heard Dolly’s plea. Though he had no intention of retreating, he released the mental poke he sent through the woman. Instead, he processed the tidbit of information he had gained. He was certain that Charmaine was indeed a friend of Dolly, but there were traces of supernatural intent all over this one.What did that mean?Someone had also taught her to shield her thoughts, or maybe something was shielding them for her. He could only pick up bread crumbs. Why was she there? And why now?

Charmaine lowered her gaze and walked even further away from him.Eyes, eyes, eyes, everywhere…

Lucio glared at her for the entire forty minutes it took for the siblings to discuss the new world they lived in.

And then the door opened. Dolly walked out first. She went straight to Lucio. He welcomed her into his arms. To have her alive and vibrant with her energy and love washing over him was all that he needed. He looked over and into the eyes of Russell, who wheeled his chair out of the room. The way the kid looked at him clarified that he, too, knew what he was. That disappointed Lucio. He would have preferred to ease Russell into that knowledge.

“Thank you,” Dolly said when she pulled back.

His gaze lowered to her. “For?”

“For being able to hold down your Draca’s urges and let my family in. I know that was hard for you. I know you were worried.”

I will do anything for you. Always. He told her telepathically. Dolly drew his face down and kissed him withtongue in front of her family. Her kiss freed him from any shame. She accepted him, and she would accept him publicly in front of the world.

She then turned and smiled at Charmaine and Russell. “Guys! This is Lucio. The love of my life. And Darlene’s first true love, too. I know you have a lot of questions. Lucio, maybe we should have dinner, to get to know each other…”

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