Page 79 of Sins of Bliss

“Vinnie. Sly.” Maurizio’s voice comes from behind us, and we both turn simultaneously. Vinnie’s father looks as though he’s seen better days. Dark rings sit beneath his eyes, and his hair is disheveled, as though he’s been running his fingers through it repeatedly.

The sight of her father visibly reflects in Vinnie. Her shoulders fall as she takes him in, and I can’t help but notice how she almost shrinks into herself a little. It diminishes her glow.

Seeing her turn timid in his presence ignites a fury deep inside me, and an overwhelming protectiveness rears its head.

“Maurizio,” I say his name in a clipped, neutral tone.

Our frigid greeting is cut short when a door slams behind us and in walks Joseph, looking even worse than his father. His white button-down is wrinkled and slightly untucked, and there’s a sway to his stance, which worries me. Is he inebriated? I don’t want him anywhere near Vincenza, if that's the case. Joseph is a loose cannon to begin with. I can only imagine his demeanor when he’s under the influence.

“You look awful,” Maurizio spits, turning his attention to his middle son. His gaze narrows, and the disapproval is clear on his features.

“Pot meet kettle, Father.” Joseph doesn’t slur his words, but he is definitely under the influence of something. There’s a glassy, far-off look in his eyes, and it causes me to shift my body in front of Vincenza's.

The movement catches his attention, and his reaction is instantaneous.

Clenching his fists by his sides, he stalks closer. Pushing Vincenza completely behind me, I ready myself mentally and physically for this altercation.

I had expected it. I just assumed it would have taken place after averytense dinner.

“You have some nerve showing your face here, you piece of shit,” he spits with a malice so intense it’s practically tangible.

“I have every right to be here, Joseph. I’m your sister's husband.” I smile at him, knowing the fury I’ve enraged.

“She’s no sister of mine. Not anymore. You killed my best friend. Both of you did, as far as I’m concerned.” Looking around my body, he stares at his father. “You’re really just going to let him into our home? Like he didn’t embarrass this family, murder Vinnie’s fiancé, and drag the Paladino name through the mud?”

“Let’s discuss this in another room, rather than the hallway,” Maurizio suggests, and next to him, Luciano stifles a laugh.

“No, we can fucking talk about this right here, right now. I want him out of this house.Now,” Joseph demands, and I do everything I can not to laugh in his face right here. Behind me, Vincenza stays quiet, which I am grateful for.

The audacity of this man is beyond belief.

“He is your sister’s husband,” Maurizio defends in a low tone, which surprises me, but I sense he has been waiting for this quarrel with his son as well.

“He killed August.”

Before Maurizio can say another word, Luciano jumps into the argument. “He was beating our sister, which I have no doubts you knew about, so don’t bother lying about it now.”

A sneer highlights Joseph's features, and he rolls his eyes. “I’m sure that’s what she told you to justify her affair with aLucchetti. Are we all just ignoring the fact that she married the enemy?”

“Areyoujust going to ignore the fact that I told you I know you knew yourbest friendwas physically harming our sister, and you did nothing to stop it? If anything, you willingly put her in danger by pushing for him to pursue her.” Luciano steps toward his brother, and I recognize the signs of anger reaching a boiling point, and though I’ve never seen Luciano fully enraged, I suspect I’m about to.

Keeping my mouth closed, I decide to watch how this plays out. The men of the Paladino family going head-to-head is fascinating.

“What is it exactly you want me to say? Show me proof, and maybe I’ll believe you then.” There’s a mocking tone in Joseph's voice, and instinctively I move to take a step forward when Vinnie’s soft hand wraps around my wrist, stopping me.

“All because you want Father’s business,” Luciano tsks, and all the air expels from Vincenza’s lungs in a sharp breath. “You practically forced our sister into the arms of an abusive monster, all while manipulating Father into thinking it was a good idea. Does he know you two were threatening her, too? By having someone she loved followed so you could blackmail her into compliance?”

A growl rumbles in my throat, and I can’t stay silent any longer. “All for a signature.”

I want to wrap my hands around Joseph’s neck and squeeze until the light fades from his eyes and his body crumples to the floor.

“Marry the girl, steal her business. Or so you thought,” Luciano continues, prolonging every word to match up with the slow, deliberate steps he’s taking toward his brother. “Because you’re too much of a self-centered, egotistical narcissist to see what was literally right in front of you,Joey.” Less than an inchfrom his face, Luciano whispers, loudly enough for us all to hear. “The businesses werealwaysgoing to be yours.”

Finally, Maurizio explodes. “I can’t believe you’d let him hurt your sister and manipulate me to go along with it all so you could have the businesses! You’re not the man I thought you were, Joseph, and it’s clear you have no idea how succession works. Have all these years of training been no indication that you were the one to inherit them all when I retire? Yet, despite it all, this is how you treat your own sister? Your flesh and blood.”

“YOU WERE NEVER GOING TO GIVE THEM TO ME!” Joseph screams, becoming unhinged. Reaching over to the vase on the credenza next to him, he picks it up and slams it to the floor. “It has always been Sunshine this, and Sunshine that. Since the moment she was born I was tossed to the side.”

“How can you even say that?” Vinnie squeaks from behind me, stepping around so she can look at her brother as she speaks to him. Instinct nags at me to pull her back behind the shelter of my body, but I know she has things she needs to speak about, too.

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