Page 140 of Sinful Wrath

“I think it is.”

“Then, it’s done. Now, let’s go and see your father.”

I hold tight to Mikhail’s hand as we make our way to my father’s room. Part of me is terrified that there might have been a mix up, that I’m going to walk into the room tofind him bleeding out?—

Mikhail squeezes my hand, as if sensing where my thoughts are going.

“It’s all going to be okay,” he says before knocking on the door.

“Lucia?”

The sound of my father’s gravelly voice has me holding back tears as I open the door and peer into his room.

He’s sitting up in his bed with his usual scowl on his face as he glances my way.

“Hey, Papa.” I force a smile.

“No tears.” He waves a hand. “I’m alive, and that’s all that matters.”

I swallow a laugh at my father’s frankness. Even when it comes to near death experiences, he’s still all business.

I cross the room and throw my arms around his neck.

“Don’t ever die, okay?” I choke.

My father only grunts, no doubt hating how emotional I’m being, but his strong hand gently pats my back as I hug him tighter.

“Look who the cat dragged in.”

I freeze at the sound of my brother’s voice.

“What the hell!”

I straighten to find him standing in the doorway with a smirk on his face.

“You’re here!”

I haven’t seen him in almost four years, though he still looks exactly the same.

Where I inherited my mother’s dark brown eyes, Federico inherited our father’s piercing blue eyes along with his height. He looks exactly like Papa did when he was in his late twenties. The only difference being that my brother still has a full head of dark brown hair and isn’t sporting a nasty scar along his jaw.

“Of course, I’m here.” He gives me a cocky grin. “I thought the old man was going to croak it, so I hopped on a plane.”

“Watch your fucking mouth,” my father grunts.

“I needed to make sure you hadn’t cut me out of the will.”

I try to laugh, but it turns into a sob as I glance between my father and brother. Mikhail moves to my side and squeezes my shoulder, but his touch only makes me cry more.

The three men that I love most are all in one room together, alive and breathing. That realization almost sends me to my knees.

“Hello, Lucia.” Federico crosses over to me, pulling me into a tight hug.

“You’ve not aged well,” I mutter as I try to hold back tears.

“Nice to see you too.” Federico laughs, the sound making his chest vibrate against me. “Still using humor to cover up your emotions?”

“Fuck off.” I can’t fight the smile that pulls at my lips. “God, I’ve missed you.”