Page 74 of Sinful Kisses (Dark Mafia Sins 3)

My hands rub at each other on the silent ride back to my home. I should be excited and grateful for everything they would have gone through to find me. The guilt I carry for not wanting to be found has my heart pounding hard. Each thump is a solid rock to the chest.

Our entire house is waiting for my return. I’m out of my element, unsure how to act. It’s all sensory overload. My mother is full of tears as she hugs me. My sisters Aria and Luna are next in line. Everyone is shedding tears for me. I don’t deserve a single one of them.

“Where’s Katrina?” I ask, noticing her absence. My mind races that they lied to me. No one answers my question.

My mother kisses me on the forehead. “We’re just so happy to have you home.” She smiles with sad eyes but tries to cover it up.

I’m passed to each of my sisters.

“I thought I’d never see you again.” Aria squeezes me tight. “Kane searched everywhere. Tracked down every lead he could. I’m so happy you’re safe.”

Luna embraces me next. Her hold is tight around my body. It has my skin dewing with the unease of walls closing in. It makes no sense, because we’re outside.

“I’ll murder them if they hurt you. Do I need to go out and play tonight?”

I shake my head, tears gathering in my eyes before rolling down my cheek. I was so nervous about them hating me and being angry that I wasn’t expecting the warm welcome they’re giving me. More tears burn my eyes, and I attempt to fight them off.

“You look different, unreserved,” she observes.

When she lets me go, it gives me enough room to breathe before I’m in another person’s arms. Alfonso holds me, kissing my forehead. It feels forced. The adoration I once had for him is no longer there.

“I’m sorry I let this happen,” he whispers into my ear. “I’ll never let you down again.”

I pull away enough to look him in the eye. “This had nothing to do with you. You didn’t let me down.” Alfonso will always be loyal to me and my family. It’s who he is. The old me would have accepted his apology and believed I deserved his words. Not anymore.

Everything that happened was because of my actions. No one else’s.

He presses his lips to mine, and a jolt of electricity no longer runs through them. It’s friendly and polite. Completely platonic.

“I should have never stayed in your way of marriage.” My father’s loud, powerful voice sounds around us. It has my heart rate spiking. Alfonso rubs his hands down my arms, and I pull away.

“I’m not marrying Alfonso,” I announce.

“It’s what you wanted since you were sixteen.” My father looks shocked. His eyes crinkle in confusion.

“Business can wait, Nicoli.” My mother smiles down at me, saving this discussion for a better time.

“Is Katrina dead?” I can’t handle not knowing anymore.

My mother pulls me into her shoulder and walks me into the house. “No, dear, she’s alive.”

“Why won’t anyone talk about her?” My feet stop once we’re inside, and no one has followed.

“We had to send her away. She needs help that is impossible to give her here.”

“She’s at a rehab center?” I hope she can find the inner strength to stay clean. I hate how drugs have destroyed her and the relationships that surround her.

My mother’s eyes tear up, and she takes a shaky breath. “It’s a little more complicated than that.”

I pull away, needing to know what happened to my sister.

“Sit down.” She nods toward the couches.

I do as she says. My body shakes, already knowing I’m not going to like what is coming.

“Katrina was dead for about thirty seconds before she could be revived. After she overdosed and you never came home, she was a wreck. She wasn’t herself. She fixated on Luna. Saying horrible things, blaming her for you being missing.”

“Why would she blame Luna?”

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