Page 8 of Princess's Revenge
BAM!“We don’t say that!” The anger on his face is vicious and I fall silent. A second later his features soften, he straightens his suit jacket and sits back, “You’ll learn.”
“What will I learn?” I’m still trying to be defiant, but all the fight is ebbing out of me. I’m just tired.So tired.
“Our oath is family. Family above all else. The fact that those people attacked your father’s family…myfamily… It’s inexcusable. Now you are back with your family. You are the last Lupertazzi.”
“Am I?” I just want to cry, but I have to hold myself together.
“When you were born, you were promised to one of my sons. We were going to unite our families,” the Don raises his brow, “that’s how close I was to your father.” He waves his hand in the air, “That’s in the past. We are here, now, to decide on your future.” He points at me, “You are under my protection.”
“What if I don’t want it?”This could be a blessing or a curse. I’m betting on the latter.
He scoffs and shakes his head, “You will have it, regardless.”
Francis hands me more bourbon. I take a sip and look behind me. Anthony and Christopher are motionless, leaning against furniture and listening.
“What does it mean to be under your protection?”
“That means you’re a part of this family. That’s the oath I took. It’s the oath my sons took. If you want to go back to school, it’s done, but only a school that’s nearby so we can be nearby if you need it. If you want to run a club, a restaurant, some kind of store, it’s done. Whatever. You decide.”
“Just like that?”
“Just like that.”
“What about the people who killed my family?”
His face grows stern…unreadable. “It’s been dealt with.”
“Are they dead?”
“I said…it’s been dealt with.”
He’s lying.I take another big sip, letting the burn melt the feelings that threaten to overwhelm me. “What happens now?”
“Now,” he stands, “we have a beautiful room with a view prepared for you. You’ll stay here till you decide who you want to become. We have wardrobes full of clothing, all in your size. We have a full-time chef in the kitchen and all the amenities you require.”
“Huh?”
Anthony says, “Get something to eat, have a good rest and you can talk to Don Bertinelli again. Take some time to process everything.” He holds my shoulders and stands me up.
The Don says, “This man, Smith. He will be punished. Chris, see to it.” He says it like he’s ordering takeout! He can’t be serious!
“Listen, Jack Smith’s an asshole but he doesn’t deserve to die over it! You can’t—"
The Don puts his hand up, “The punishment will fit the crime. If you were already married, I would not intrude. What happens between a man and his wife is between them and God. Now, please leave me,” he waves his hand, “I have business to attend to.”
“Come on,” Anthony turns me around.
I walk like a zombie. The booze or the news? I don’t know. I know I’ve got tunnel vision and I follow silently behind Anthony as we go out the door.
Can I just leave if I want? Where would I go?
I think I stumble, but someone catches me from the back. I turn and see that it’s Francis. I look from side to side…Christopher isn’t with us.
Before I know it, Anthony shows me into a bedroom. He gives me some instructions about the bathroom and something about calling down to the kitchen for food, but I can’t seem to focus.It’s all too much.
Is this really happening?
Suddenly he shakes me, “Andrea?”