Page 10 of Promised

He’d never beat us, not wanting to damage his goods. But we’d been forced to watch. Forced to listen to the disgusting things he said about us.

We didn’t have bruises on our skin because they were on our souls.

Late at night, I could still hear his voice telling me I was a worthlessputtana. Slut.That my dreams were nothing. That I was nothing without him.

I pulled Zara closer. “I won’t let that happen.”

If I had to play my card to keep her safe, I would. I’d do anything for my sister, including returning to this place.

“There she is.” My head jerked back at the woman waiting beside my father.

“Britney?” I couldn’t hide the shock as she ripped me from Zara’s arms. She hugged me tightly like my sister had.

“Of course.” She gripped my shoulders as we stared at each other.

She looked nothing like the girl I’d known. That girl had dressed in hand-me-down clothes. She’d had muddy brown hair and a shy smile. And she never would’ve been allowed in here. The housekeeper’s daughter wouldn’t have permission to enter my father’s private space.

Now her smile was wide, her lips plumper than was natural. Her hair was dyed a shiny blonde. Her short red dress was expensive.

She screamed of money as she walked back to my father. She rubbed a hand along his stubble before propping her hip on his desk.

“Hard to believe,” Zara whispered in my ear as I watched my father and my former friend give each other goo-goo eyes.

“Figlia.”My father said, a smile playing on his lips as he looked at me. “It’s been a long time.”

My brows scrunched together. I couldn’t remember a single time he’d smiled at me before.

“Father.”I nodded in response. My eyes flicked between the two of them. “When did this happen?”

“It’s hard to put a date on love.” Britney swooned as she gripped his hand.

My stomach rolled. She was my age. We’d grown up together. It disgusted me that he could see her sexually.

I might understand the age difference in her mind if my father had been an attractive man. But with a bald head, mustache, and more weight than was healthy, he wasn’t.

“Okay.” I drew out the word as I raised a brow at Zara. But she was too stiff to respond. “I just want to make it clear that I’m here for Zara. To make sure she ends up with a safe husband.”

Good was too much to hope for. All we could ask was he wouldn’t harm her. Love was certainly out of the question.

My lips flattened as I stared at my father. “Because if I thought you were using my sister. That you were going to put her in harm’s way to get more power, I’d be forced to show everyone a little video I have.”

“There’s no need for that.” I held my ground as my father crossed the room to me, cupping my cheek. Maybe it should feel like an affectionate gesture, but after everything he’d put me through over the years, I found no comfort in his touch. “All I want is what’s best for the family.”

I exhaled sharply. The family. It’s always what it came down to. Power. Reputation.

“It’s so wonderful to have both my girls in the same room again.” He dropped his hand to my shoulder.

“See, I’m a good influence on him.” Britney rested her head on his arm.

I felt like I’d been dropped into an alternative reality. My father was verbally abusive. A monster who’d kept me caged my whole life. Zara’s face was only slightly less confused.

“I’ll let you two catch up.” He released me. “I’ve got work today.”

“What the fuck?” I whispered to Zara as we followed behind them a few steps.

“I know.” She sighed. “Britney showed up the second you left.”

“What!” I forced a smile as they flicked their gazes our way. “She would’ve been nineteen.”

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