Page 104 of Single Malt Drama

Nicolina

I could counton one hand the number of times I’d sat in the saddle-colored leather chair facing my father’s desk. The first time my feet hadn’t reached the floor. He’d called me into the office to tell me he’d decided not to send me to boarding school. To my young mind, that meant I’d been handed a reprieve. At the time, I hadn’t realized that was the first day of my life sentence.

As if to prove to my father, and myself, I was a grown woman, I planted my feet on the floor and straightened my spine.

He pinned me with his dark brown eyes. “I understand you have something you’d like to tell me?”

“I took the money from the safes.” Refusing to give him a hint at the turmoil inside me, I spoke in a calm, clear voice.

“You mean you stole the money.”

I folded my hands in my lap. “Yes. I stole from you, but I’m prepared to pay whatever is missing, plus interest, from my trust fund.”

“Nicolina, you know that is not how it works.” He motioned for one of the kitchen staff to come in.

The young woman set a tray of pastries and espresso on the table near the window. “Will there be anything else, sir?”

My father crooked his finger at me to call me closer. “Donna, would you be so kind as to tell my daughter what happens to thieves in this house?”

If the poor woman’s eyes bugged any further, they would have fallen out of their sockets. “Mr. Lazio…”

His frown deepened.

“Thieves are killed.” She dipped her chin.

I tried to keep my expression smooth, to not give him the satisfaction of seeing me react, but I was sure I failed.

“Thank you, Donna.” My father turned his attention back to me.

She hurried from the room.

It amazed me how different life was here than at the Marchionnis. I’d always sensed a low-level buzz of anxiety in these rooms, but I’d grown up with it. To me, it seemed normal to live under a cloud of fear. My time with Marco had showed me how different a house full of love could be.

“I will allow Maria and Alessio to go free, but they are not to leave Trapani.” He spoke as if they were no more consequential as an afternoon rain.

“Why would you keep them here? They will be ostracized.” The fact they’d be marked as thieves and traitors to the Lazios would make their already-difficult lives impossible.

“They defied me when they helped you—” He cut himself off.

“I believe the word you’re looking for is escaped.” I met his steely gaze. “What will it take for you to allow them to return to America?”

He smirked. “Who says I want anything?”

I sat back and stared out the window. I knew this game. I’d seen him play it a million times. The more I spoke, the more he’d dig his heels in and wait me out. Once I’d grown desperate enough to make a deal, he’d take everything I offered and more.

“Your brother tells me he found you living in squalor in the middle of a swamp, and your fake husband was too weak to protect you.”

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep quiet.

His voice rose. “You don’t deny it?”

“What good will it do?” I sighed. “You’ve made up your mind. I’m content to listen to your opinions.”

He slammed his hands on the desk. “You will remain on this compound until the day you die.”

I pressed my lips together to keep my chin from quivering. I’d spent the first half of my life following the rules hoping he’d love me. When that had failed, I’d spent the second half breaking them, in hopes he’d notice me. I was done trying to please him.

“I’m married to the capo of the Marchionni family. Marco will not let this stand, and you know it.”

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