Page 73 of Twisted Minds of Sin

“This isn't right, Lawrence,” my tears cascade, “This is…” I inhale, holding back my words because as he said, I should fear them.

If he could kill his father, the same man who took him to every meeting and always reminded him of his place as a son, he wouldn't need to think twice about killing me. He is a psycho.

“I won't kill you,” he places both hands on my shoulder, “I don't like you that much but I wouldn't kill you, because I did this for you too,” he squeezes my shoulders gently. “I can't just marry you off to Benedetto, he is roaming mad and I know what he has been doing to you,” he narrows his eyes to look at me.

“Lawrence, let go,” I move away from him and he lets me. “You want to speak about Benedetto?” I scoff. “At least he never killed his father,” I turn away from him and stomp down the stairs to the ground floor.

I feel disappointed but also relieved. Like I can allow myself to breathe around Benedetto now, knowing for certain that he is not the one responsible for my father’s death. And I am now questioning even more what Claudio wanted me to do to his nephew. I feel like I'm choking.

Lawrence killed our father.He… is siding with Claudio.

I gasp, hyperventilating.

I need air. I need air to try to calm myself down before going to Benedetto. I can't let him know what Lawrence just told me, because that bastard is still my brother and I don't know what Benedetto would do in his bid to take revenge for what Lawrence has done to his name among the men of his clan.

I stomp out of the manor at the same time Orazio is about to come in.

“Watch out, Rosa,” he holds me back with his hands on my shoulder.

“Orazio,” I try to fight back my tears as I struggle to breathe.

“Hey, what did he do this time?” he grinds his teeth and tuts.

I shake my head, dismissively, “This is not him,” I pull him by the wrist away from the manor, walking to the driveway where Benedetto’s car is parked.

I may not be able to tell Benedetto, but at least I can confide in Orazio. He seems like the calm-headed one between the two of them, so he can make better use of the information and maybe even speak on my behalf when the time comes.

“I know who killed my father,” I let go of his wrist as we get to Benedetto’s car to stand in front of him.

“Who?”

“Claudio,” I sniff, but Orazio doesn't seem surprised, “Lawrence just told me,” I add very quickly, “And he said Claudio wanted it to look like Benedetto,” I know I'm keeping out the part that directly involves Lawrence as the killer. By now, I know better.

“Classic Claudio,” he snorts.

“You knew?”

“Not at all,” he exhales, “It's just, nothing surprises me anymore,” he shrugs.

“Benedetto told me about what he wants to do with Claudio.”

“He what now?” Now he looks stunned, his eyebrows forming a straight line on his forehead.

“He said he needed my help and got me up to speed with the plan,” I mumble.

“Now this is something I never saw coming,” he blinks repeatedly.

“I want to help now more than ever. I want us- I want Benedetto to win this war, in whatever way he can and however necessary,” I swallow, “And I need you to, please–” I sniff back my tears, “ please promise me you'll look after him.”

“Hey,” he takes me into his arms, embracing me quickly, then pulls away to look me in the eyes, “I will, and he will win this war,” he strokes my cheeks tentatively. “Let's get inside before someone sees us,” he nods at the manor and I nod repeatedly.

“I will just catch my breath and then meet you.”

“I'll be with Benedetto,” he smiles softly and walks into the manor.

I try to take deep calming breaths and gobble every motivational word I can to keep me from mirroring the shipwreck I am on the inside. I need to tread carefully. Lawrence must not see me breaking apart, and Benedetto must not know what I know.

With a bright smile plastered on my face, I scamper into the manor, resolving to go have lunch as I had told Benedetto I would be doing, and even get some for him.

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