Page 138 of Tyrant (The Villetti Chronicles)

I put a hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

“Don’t beat yourself up over it. No one wants to think their father is capable of all but killing their mother. Besides, I think we’re going to have a harder time convincing Enzo it’s time to let go.”

Our brother was still being comforted by Ari. We’d never been particularly affectionate as a family, so I was glad she could give him support in a way I couldn’t. My girl would help me lead my family forward. She was a force to be reckoned with and one I couldn’t do this without.

“Mmm. Maybe we give it a little time, let the storm blow over withPapá’sdeath first. Then we can broach the subject with Enzo.”

“You’re right. He needs time.”

I’d had all the time in the world to come to terms with the fact my mother was never coming back. It wouldn’t be easy to say goodbye to her, but it was necessary. Ari was right. What my father had done to her was barbaric. We needed to set her free.

“I’m going to see her if you don’t need me to help with this.”

He waved towards the door.

“No. Arlo and I have it covered.”

He nodded and walked out, glancing at Enzo on the way, who appeared to have calmed down somewhat. I made my way over to them, putting my hand on Ari’s shoulder.

“Are you going to be okay staying with him while I deal with everything else?”

She turned her head towards me, giving me a sad smile.

“Yes, of course, I am. Go fix everything. I’ll be here.”

I stroked her cheek, then left the room. Arlo was still in my father’s office, sat behind the desk. His eyes flicked to mine over the monitor. The look in them told me he knew Ari had killed Gennaro and not me. I walked over to him, stopping in front of the desk and running my fingers along the wood.

“You understand this stays between the three of us, yes?”

He sat back and shrugged.

“What stays between us, Zayn?Youwere the one who executed Gennaro. I saw nothing that said otherwise.”

This was why I needed him to go over the footage. He would keep our secret. He wouldn’t tell a soul it was Arianna who had littered my father’s chest with bullets rather than me.

“Mmm, that’s right.”

Arlo winked and glanced over at my dead father.

“About time someone gunned him down. He deserved worse.”

“All that matters is he’s dead. Have you got everything else sorted?”

“Of course. Did you doubt me?”

I smiled.

“Never.”

Arlo had always come through for me. There was no one in this world I trusted above him… except, perhaps, Ari, but that was different. She was my partner. My love. I trusted her with my heart, even if I hadn’t explicitly told her yet. I would when this shit was dealt with.

The next few hours were spent cleaning up the scene and putting the house back to order without a trace of what really happened. Our doctor had been paid handsomely for his services, turning a blind eye to the truth and noting down the cause of death as a heart attack. He said nothing of the bodyguards. He was as loyal as they came.

Gil remained upstairs with our mother. Enzo had gone to his room, and I was left alone with Ari in the living room. I wrapped my arms around her and buried my face in her braids.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“For what?”

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