Page 42 of Did My Heart Love Till Now?

My eyes wandered to the wall-mounted, muted television. Our home, side-by-side with Gavino's on a split screen. Multiple media outlets and crowds had begun gathering outside our house. Fantastic. The camera on his home panned to a sea of women outside the gates. What the actual hell? I mumbled under my breath as a red banner scrolled across the bottom of the screen proclaiming Gavino and I as the new Romeo and Juliet. I gritted my teeth in anger, realizing the media was the window into the D'Angelo household.

My father cleared his throat, calling my attention back to him. My gaze flickered as I met his.

“Do you really think I’m stupid?” He gripped his hips, waiting for me to respond.

“No dad,” I shook my head, “but I haven't done anything wrong.”

He threw his head back, howling with laughter, looking around the room at his men. They all joined him like marionettes my father controlled. His laughing abruptly stopped, and he sneered. “You have betrayed this family and made a mockery of me.” He threw his hands in the air. “How can you,” he placed his hand on his chest and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, “my own daughter, do this to me?” His eyes snapped open, and he cocked his head. “Have I not given you the best life?”

I nodded. “Yes, but—”

“Do you realize how much it hurts and embarrasses me to know my daughter is seeing the enemy behind my back?”

I bowed my head, lowering my eyes. “I’m sorry, dad.”

“Sofia, from now until this is over, you will not leave the house for any reason.”

I lifted my gaze, widening my eyes. “What?!”

He scowled, waving his hand at Nick. “Get up off your ass and take your sister to her room.” He narrowed his glare on my injured brother. “And I suggest you not fuck up again or you'll end up like your uncle.”

I squinted, lifting my hand to my chin watching as two men stepped over and helped Nick stand. I dashed over and hooked my arm in his, helping him as he limped out of the room. We climbed the stairs slowly. Neither of us dared to speak. I was scared of what my brother would say. It was all my fault.

As we stepped in the room, he mumbled under his breath. “Close the fucking door.”

Immediately, I closed and locked my bedroom door. When I spun around, Nick’s arms were crossed angrily over his chest. I assumed he was only acting tough, so I ran to my bathroom and grabbed a washcloth from the linen closet. Stepping over to the sink, I flipped up the handle and wet the cloth.

“Fia.”

I jumped, whirling around. “Go sit.”

He shook his head. “I’m not as injured as I acted downstairs.”

Reaching over, I turned the faucet off. I twisted the cloth, squeezing the excess water out and handed it to him. He patted his bloody face gently as he led me back to the middle of my bedroom. He winced once when he blotted his lip.

It was impossible not to worry. I creased my brow. “Nick, I’m—”

"I didn't tell him anything.” He mumbled through the rag. “I have no idea how he found out, but I bet there is a rat playing both families.”

Sighing, I held my hand out. He handed me the washcloth and sat on the chaise at the end of my bed. I perched on my knees next to him, wiping the dried blood off his neck then carefully dabbed the corner of his eyes. “Okay but how do we find out?”

“Leave that to me. I don’t want you involved in this.” He growled involuntarily when I hit a painful spot on his cheekbone. “And I’m going to kick dad’s ass for hurting you.”

“I’m fine.” I exhaled, suddenly remembering the pain in my own face.

12

After my meeting, I insisted that Joey and Federico give me some space. They fought me on the decision, but quickly understood. I had discovered the significance of my new power over the family, and my commands were definitive.

Since I had some alone time, I drove to Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church and parked around the corner in the parking lot. It was deserted except for five cars; possibly belonging to the church staff. I peered down at my suit and loosened my tie, suddenly feeling suffocated. Processing my new role was a lot to take in mentally and emotionally, but I was beginning to see why I played such an important part in the leadership. I felt as if I finally understood my purpose. My father’s binders and ways were extremely outdated. And though I still did not quite understand the amount of danger both Sofia and I were in, I had to come up with a plan.

Stepping out of my car, I marched up the weathered, white stone stairs to the enormous metal double doors; stained a dated greenish tinge over time. Taking a deep breath, I studied the etched Catholic crosses on each as I reached for the handle and pushed the heavy door open.

The organ played from the balcony as I slowly made my way down to the fifth row, sliding into a long, wooden pew. Folding my hands in my lap, I trailed my eyes up to the statue of the Virgin Mary, mounted over great, vibrant stained-glass windows in the front center of the cathedral.

“What are you doing here?” A hand rested on my shoulder.

Startled, I reached for my gun before registering the voice. I exhaled, relaxing as my eyes flickered. “Martina.”

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