Page 6 of Twisted Throne

“I-I don’t really know, honestly.” I stuttered, drying my eyes of tears I hadn’t even realized had come. “She never mentioned you or any other relatives to me. When I read the letter, I just… wanted to see you, I guess… T-to know who you are.”

“And that’s all you want? No money?” he asked me, with narrowed eyes. “Most in your position would expect something other than the pure pleasure of my company.”

My tears began to spill over as I replied without thinking, “I want family.”

Mom being gone had left a hollow spot in my life that I didn’t know how to fill. It had been just us for so long, but with her gone, I was pretty much completely alone. I had never been a social butterfly by any means but loneliness had crept in, and I longed to belong somewhere, to know that there was someone, anyone out there that truly gave a damn about me.

“Then perhaps we have something in common. I valuefamiglia,above all else. More than power, wealth, and prestige. There is nothing that I wouldn’t do for my family. And if you wish to be part of it, the door is open. Although you do understand that I will be verifying the information you’ve given me today,si?”

“Yes, of course,” I said, nodding my head.

For the first time since I’d been sitting here, his face softened a bit. I’ve always been told that I look like Mom, but when he smiled at the photos, I saw that we have the same dimple.

“Whatever tests you have to run, or—or investigators you want to hire, or whatever, I understand,” I said, then hesitated. “But, I looked you up before I came here, and…”

Luckily, he didn’t make me come right out and say it.

“So you’re the one who has been digging into me online.”

My mouth dropped open.

“How did you…”

“I have my ways. Namely, an excellent computer hacker who has things set up to alert if anyone starts digging into my business, or into me, beyond certain carefully constructed documents. ” He chuckled. “ You’ve read about me in the news, I’m assuming. We LaRosas have a unique family, to be sure. But we look after our own, and if you are truly one of mine then I am obligated—and pleased—to honor that... The decision is yours to make, I won’t force myself into your life. But before you decide, you need to be certain of your choice.Famiglia,or no? Take a few days, think it over well before giving your answer.”

He stood, signaling an end to our little surprise reunion.

I scrambled to my feet as well as he walked around the highly polished cherry desk. He clasped one of my hands between his, the gold of his watch cool against my hands.

“I would be honored to welcome you into the family,figlia.We’ll speak again soon.”

Before I realized what was happening I was out the door and back in the hall again.

I felt like I couldn’t breathe all of a sudden, I had to get out of here. It was all just too much. When I rounded the corner to the exit I slammed into what felt like a brick wall.

I stumbled backward and would have fallen if the man I’d taken to be a wall hadn’t reached out and grabbed my arm to steady me.

“Oh!” I gasped. “Sorry, I mean, thank you!”

It was Paul, the man who had taken me in to see Angelo. Even with my nerves, I hadn’t been able to keep from noticing how attractive he was. He is quite possibly the most strikingly handsome man I’d ever seen. While he wasn’t football player bulky, I could see the cut of his muscles rippling underneath his silk dress shirt. His face was chiseled, framed by neatly trimmed short black hair. There was just a hint of dark stubble on his chin, and I couldn’t help but think what the roughness would feel like against my face. His eyes were dark and steely. I could practically feel the weight of his gaze brush across my skin, causing me to shiver.

I realized that I was gawking and pulled my arm away, once again apologizing.

“That’s what I get for not paying attention to where I’m going I guess. I’m really so sorry again,” I told him with an awkward laugh. Of course, I would make a fool of myself in front of the first attractive man I’ve spoken to in months, even if he was rude.

“There are many things that you should pay attention to, Ms. Fredricks. You can never tell what might be around the next corner you rush around without looking,” he said with a slight smirk.

“What do you mean?” I managed to get out.

“You opened a door today. Be very sure you know where that door will lead to.”

He brushed past me and walked away.

***

“Gia, where are those files I asked you for this morning?”

I jumped, startled. I had been spaced out and hadn’t even noticed my boss, Cheryl, walking over to my cubicle. I racked my brain trying to remember what files she was talking about.