Page 95 of Deception

I will not shame my ancestors by failing my people.

We land at the private airstrip an hour later, boarding a limo in the middle of the night.

Still, Isabella doesn’t put up a fight, like she’s given up.

Adriano is surprisingly gentle with her, all things considered. Probably because he’s worried I’ll fall apart if he does what he wants to do to her. What we should do to her.

The drive home offers me little relief from my exhaustion.

Every time I close my eyes I see her in my bed, in my arms, tied up and moaning.

Mocking me with every blink of my eyes. Spitting in my face and throwing my love away.

Just like Domenico.

We pull into the compound and I should feel like I’m home. The staff smiles to see me, taking our bags, my men patting me on the back.

“Welcome home, Don!” Tomas grins.

“Good to be home, Tomas,” I fake, my heart not in it.

“Prodigal son! You’ve come home,” Ciro sings from the top of the steps.

“I’m not your son.”

“But you sure do know how to spend money!” He pulls me into a hug and this I actually feel, gripping my little brother tightly and squeezing his shoulders.

“Only because I have to buy you out of trouble all the time.”

“How was your time in the desert,fratello?”

“The sand was snow and the thirst was boredom,” Adriano intones, a little smirk pulling at his mouth for the first time in days.

“At least you didn't freeze to death. We were worried you'd come back a popsicle.” Ciro chuckles, nodding as Fiero leans in the doorway. The guards outside stiffen at his presence, saluting me sharply.

“You two seem to be doing well in your element. Driving everyone insane, I'm sure.” I try to be myself, to act normal.

“Somebody's got to keep all these fuckers in line. And since you weren't here, and we weren't allowed to go partying, we had to stay…busy.” Ciro rubs his hands together menacingly. I definitely don't want to know.

More so when the two guards at the door, Gino and Bolo, give me wide-eyed looks, shaking their heads. It’s almost enough to make me laugh in spite of my grief.

“Why don’t we let Alessandro come inside, eh?” Tomas interrupts, leading the way. “It really is great to see you, sir.”

“And you, Tomas. How are Lita and the kids? Gregorio?”

“Brats, the whole lot of them, I should have never let my sister marry thatidiota,” he snaps, hiding a smile. He takes my briefcase and ushers me through the house. “Can’t help noticing you brought a guest?”

“Yes. Have Tina show her to the blue guest room.” I eye Isabella as she steps through the door, taking in the size and luxury of the mansion.

Tomas frowns for a second, but nods.

Ciro, oblivious to the exchange, bounces in, taking a long, head to toe look at Isabella. “Damn! You didn’t tell us you found a bride while you were away!”

Adriano chokes, staring at me, waiting for me to explode.

Instead, I find a smirk tugging at my lips, ironic. Bitter.

“Yep, she just wandered in out of the blizzard.”

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