Page 23 of Ink Deep Devotion

Guilt hangs in the air, choking both of us. Nico knows it wasn’t my choice to leave, but that fact still hasn’t dismissed his outrage. He’s been angry for so long that it’s been decaying him, slowly turning his once loving heart into a cold, sterile thing.

I know the cure, but if I allow Nico to bring Olivia back into his life while our mother is still alive, it would have grave repercussions.

The problem is I can’t do what my father failed to do: kill my mother. So until I find a way to lock her away from Nico, we’re all trapped, surviving this life, forced to keep the people we love at a distance.

“So you can check on Mila for a friend—”

“For a brother.” I correct him. He grunts, still jealous of my new family.

I lean forward, bracing my elbows on my thighs.“You’re playing a dangerous game, Nico, especially as mother still controls much of our lives.”

“What was I to do? You left! Vanished into thin air. I had no reports of whether Olivia was alive or safe. I…” he looks away, his voice sounding more hoarse,“I had no idea ifyouwere alive. So I snapped and checked on her.”

“You sent a guard to cover her!”

“I needed to know she’s safe.”

“Her cousin is your best friend. He could have told you how she was doing.”Aww, I get it,“You’re worried he’d tell her you still care.”

He licks his lips.“Why are we going if you don’t agree with my actions?”

I lean back, the cool leather pressing against my clothing.“Because, like you, I disappeared from her life, too. I need to check on her with my own eyes and make sure she is safe.”

His nostrils flare.

When I was forced to leave Italy and attend Silverstone, I promised Nico I would check on Olivia and make sure she was safe from our mother’s touch. Olivia not only won over my brother’s heart, but also mine, albeit in a different way. I saw her as both a little sister and someone who brought happiness to my brother. Following my father’s death, both Nico and she became like my own children. I had to keep them safe and ensure they smiled and were never scared. I watched them grow up into young teens who were so in love.

Then I watched them be ripped apart.

“You’re a hypocrite.”

“One day, you’ll thank me.”

Chapter 9

Mila

I shift in my seat, trying to avert my father’s eyes, which haven’t left my cast since we entered his car.

“Are you in pain?” Dad questions, watching me carefully. Anytime I move or try to adjust my cast, Dad’s reaction is filled with guilt and worry.

“No,” I shake my head.

His exhale feels like dirt clogging my pores. He looks out the window and rubs his chin as his driver merges onto the highway. The space in the car grows smaller with each breath. Mixed with the scent of the leather seats, the pain medication, and barely eating since the hospital, I think I might throw up.

“It’s a lot to give up,” Dad states without looking in my direction.

My brows pull together.“What is?”

“Ballet.” Dad pulls at his tie,“I just,” he shrugs,“I don’t want you to regret leaving it. It’s not a sport one just leaves and returns to. Years of discipline and skills will be wasted if you leave.”

“I…I…”Are we having this conversation?Is Dad considering letting me quit?“I’m not Mom,” I whisper hoarsely, then exhale with relief. This feels like a bandaid that needed to be ripped off ages ago. Instead, my fear started to grow over it.

“I don’t want you to be your mother.” Dad hisses in annoyance.

I flinch in my seat. Dad usually only speaks fondly of my mom, but this time, I have a feeling mom did something to anger him, and my wanting to quit is poking old demons.

Dad’s eyes shut as if he’s experiencing a headache.“I want you to be happy, and dancing has always made you happy.” He clarifies.

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