Page 42 of Sins of Bliss

Joseph’s voice drops to a low growl as he stares down at me, shooting daggers through his eyes. “Youshouldknow why.”

“Well, I don’t.”

“BECAUSE HE LOVES YOU MORE,” Joseph explodes.

His mouth snaps closed, and the room becomes so quiet you could hear a pin drop. My heart splinters, tears immediately springing to my eyes as I continue to look up at my brother. For the first time in what feels like years, I feel like I see bits of the brother I used to know reflecting through his navy irises.

“It didn’t matter the grades I held or the achievements I accomplished,” he continues. “The awards, the hard work—they were all overshadowed byyou.” His voice is like venom, thick and icy, seeping into my veins. “All you had to do was exist, and you became Father’s favorite.”

“I never asked for that, Joseph! I never even accepted that role—never wanted to be the favorite! I’m not even sure that’s true. He loves usall.”

His eyes are dark and cruel as he stares down at me, hardly two inches from my face. He’s so close I can feel his spittle as he speaks. “It doesn’t matter. It’s still a fact. He puts you before any of his sons.”

I shock myself by not stepping away to put distance between us. As intimidated as I am, I refuse to cower. I want answers. I’mowedthem.

“So, what is your endgame? Obviously you and August have a plan. I’m not obtuse, Joseph. I know you’ve been planning and calculating for months. So tell me. What are you after?”

A sinister laugh floats from his lips and I’m surprised when it’s he who steps back. Joseph begins to pace with short steps in front of the coffee table that separates us.

“Well, I suppose it won’t hurt to tell you now, since the wedding is tonight, anyway.” He stops and watches me for a moment, then sits back on the couch, resuming his relaxed position from earlier.

“When our father inevitably hands the business over to you, it will be August who takes over on your behalf. There’s a bit of paperwork you’ll have to sign this evening as soon as your marriage license is signed.” A smile pulls across his face. “Of course, making sure you don’t end up with a Lucchetti is another perk.”

“When has Father even said he’s going to give it to me, Joseph?You’rethe one involved in it. It makes no sense as to why you think he’d skip over you and hand it to me.”

“All my life, I’ve been in the shadow of my baby sister. You get everything I want. You takeeverythingfrom me!” Joseph snarls, his teeth clenched. A vein bulges on his forehead. “It wouldn’t shock me one bit for Father to hand everything I’ve worked for over to you.”

“So all this so August can take over the business—a business that I have absolutely no interest in—on my behalf? How does that benefit you?” I ignore the comment about Sly.

“It’s a partnership, baby sister, and your document won’t be the only one signed tonight. The details are none of your concern.”

“I beg to differ.”

Suddenly, Joseph stops and steps into my space again, the coffee table a welcomed barrier as he leans toward me.

“All you need to know, Vinnie, is everything I’ve ever wanted will bemine, andyou’llno longer be a Paladino,” he snarls.

His words catch me off guard and completely obliterate any sense of confidence I’ve been holding on to. An overwhelming sense of fear washes through my body as his words sink in, and I realize just how unpredictable he is.

He sidesteps around the coffee table and toward me until we’re toe to toe. “Make no mistake, Vinnie. This ismytime. And I will stop at nothing to make sure my plans are carried out successfully. Your new place is by August’s side—silent, and with a goddamn smile on your face.”

The next several seconds are tense as we stare at each other. My heart beats frantically, my chest rising and falling in rapid succession. Words swirl through my mind but I can’t get a sentence to form, too speechless from the clear malice my brother harbors for me.

“Vinnie! Darling,” my mother's voice singsongs from outside of the doors. As she pulls them open, Joseph grabs ahold of my hand and stretches it to the side as his other hand comes to rest in the middle of my back so it looks like we were getting ready to dance.

“Oh! There you are, Joseph. Your father is looking for you, sweetheart.”

Dropping his hands, he takes a step back and smiles wildly at her. “Thank you, Mother. Vinnie and I were just practicing our brother-sister dance for tonight. You know I have two left feet.”

A laugh of disbelief bubbles up and I shake my head, frustration radiating off me in waves.

“That’s so sweet,” my mother exclaims, beaming at my lying, manipulative brother. “I hate to break up the bonding time, but Vinnie, our massage therapists are ready for us!”

Joseph leans forward and gives our mother a peck on the cheek. “I’ll leave you two to it.”

Pushing his hands into the pockets of his slacks, Joseph strides from the room, and I watch him go, shaken to my core at the altercation we just had.

Paying my mood no mind, my mother loops her arm through mine and pulls me out of the den. “I’m so excited for our girl time, Vinnie! We’re going to get all pampered before it’s time to get ready for your wedding. I can’t believe today is the day, can you? Aren’t you just so excited?”

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