Page 33 of Lines Drawn
Throwing the tennis ball for Midas is only mildly helping me calm down. It doesn’t help that my emotions are so fucking tied up, and Midas is another reminder of what Master—no, Allesandro—and I had. I desperately want to believe this isn’t the end of us, but fuck. Why the hell is he choosing Cristian over everything? It’s not just over me, but over the entire family. And that…that is what I can’t forgive.
“At least I’m not finding you practicing stabbing someone…”
Grunting, I turn to Leandro. I didn’t hear him come outside, which is annoying. I glance at Boston, who is calmly waiting with her person. “Do you want to let her play with Midas?”
Leandro says something in another language, and suddenly, Boston darts off to follow Midas. I smile at the two dogs, but at Leandro’s cough, I turn to scowl at him. I gesture for him to talk—even if it’s the last thing I want.
“Roman is upset.”
Scoffing, I meet his gaze. “No shit. His father fucked up. I’m upset, too.”
“Yes. Because your…Master seems to be taking Cristian’s side.”
I growl, picking up the tennis ball that Midas brought me and throwing it, watching as both dogs dart off. “Is there a point to this pep talk?”
“What are you going to do about it?” The challenge in Leandro’s voice is clear, especially knowing Roman’s upset. Their relationship is…different. Then again, I suppose most would say the same about my relationship with Benjamin.
I take a seat on the porch, near where Leandro is positioned. I shrug one shoulder, not sure what to say. Finally, I spit out, “It’s not like I have a lot of choices—or any, really. All I have is him and this family. Fuck, I don’t even have anywhere I can go. Everything I have is tied up here. There’s nothing else.”
Leandro studies me carefully. “If I told you that you’re wrong, that you have an option, would you take it? If it meant leaving this Family?”
I bite my lip, turning away from him and staring out at the distance. There’s so much to unpack. Could I leave Allesandro? Could I walk away from everything? Fuck. I’m no longer a naïve college kid, but I still don’t have a fucking clue about the world. Yet…isn’t it time? If Allesandro isn’t willing to see me as anywhere near his equal, perhaps it’s time I proved to him—and myself—that I can stand on my own two feet.
With a decisive nod, I give my attention to Leandro again. “Yeah. I’d take the out.”
His smile is…disconcerting. Yet, I wait for him to finish his thought, despite the pit in my stomach. “Aren’t you the de facto head of the O’Connel Family? Why not embrace that?”
“How the fuck do you know that?” I’m flabbergasted by both the traitorous thoughts in my mind and the fact that someone found out.
Leandro rolls his eyes at me. “Seriously? I’m the best hacker here. And your so-called Master put the property in your name after the O’Connel Family was taken out. That and you not having a father on your birth certificate…”
I wince. Yeah, bastard child here. Not like it matters—at least, I didn’t think it did. “I didn’t know he put everything in my name. I know he wanted to marry me to unite the two Families, but…”
“So, what are you going to do? Take the out or be a coward?”
Snorting, I give him a lopsided grin and shake my head. “I know you’re manipulating me. Taunting, unfortunately, does work with me. So, I’ll take it. But I’m not sure how to go about establishing myself.”
“His uncle would know. He was the one who was doing things as a proxy.”
Grumbling, I rub my chin, before sighing. I still have so many mixed feelings about his uncle, but he was fully invested in the family before…well, it isn’t worth thinking about. “I’ll give him a call. He’s been asking for me to do that anyway. We’ll see what he says.”
“Wouldn’t it be better in person?” Leandro taps his fingers on his thighs. I find it interesting, and he immediately stops when he notices my attention. It was only a small movement, but it seems so practiced.
“Yes. But I don’t exactly have time to go see him.” I wave off my suspicions. There are some things it’s better not to question.
Leandro’s lips quirk. “Don’t worry, he’ll be here toward the end of dinner. That should give you time to get ready. And to talk to Roman.”
I stare into his navy blue eyes. “Be careful how much you push. I know secrets too, and I can find out more if I want.”
His face goes blank, all animation gone. It’s fascinating. Part of me really wants to learn if I can do it.
Time stretches between us, but neither of us yield. Finally, he inclines his head and says, “Point taken.”
With that, I stand and walk away, but I can feel an itch between my shoulders from where he must be watching me. Yeah, that was a stupid challenge on my part. Now I know he’ll be keeping a closer eye on me. Thank fuck I amuse him, so far…
When I step inside the house, there’s a flurry of activity, and Allesandro is barking orders. Midas becomes alert next to me. Fuck. What else has happened?
Holding one of my best friends in my arms so he doesn’t do something stupid, like try to run into a burning house, is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Especially since every instinct I have is telling me to do the same thing.
