*

land, N

ssa

sorella maggiore. I really didn't realize how much of

ss for the night. I couldn't blame her nervousness. We were amidst the sea of guests, al

edy for more. Neither one of these people would think twice before ripping us apart were we to show

ng to figure out people's next moves a

fault. We should have left a little earli

ghout the night. A nagging feeling of guilt in the back of my mind. My inability to be on top of our sneaki

ould have kept Vittori

tunately, papa seems determined to stretch his claws into my own future. It's a little sooner than I anticipated but we knew it was com

hese that reminded me just how grown up she was now. Things had certainly changed. Gone was the little girl I

nd to be in the arms of a blood soaked man who would offer her nothin

o live in a world beyond mama's silk drapes and overly expensive champagne shared with these up

lways made me laugh in turn. Tonight was no exception and we both ignored the displeased looks that

our minds once more. Although my efforts to cover up the growing bruise on my cheek had been successful, the pain was

e did that to you and that Papa did nothing. How coul

ards close to our chest. We could never show weakness or reveal the inner workings of our family, no matter how small or

always been the go-happy, relaxed and Zen one among us. It was hard to make her mad but that wasn't to say that

e. You'd think the big and scary macellaio di Sicilia (butcher of Sicily) would have some gusto behind

skills were just as horrible as her attempt at making Cacio E Pepe Pasta. Our trainers had made her decent enough to defend herself

er reason being a philosophy that was absolute to not only her but her own Mama. No one could be able to teach an

rive and passion she has for sniping in

was adorned with Swarovski crystals on its corset and skirt but also due to the tuxed

sister's fiancé, he had held

could

hair that was almost always in an effortless mess of curls, he b

erage muscular form and his 6"1 height that towered over not only Selene who stood beside him but also myself. I could not remember a time

our teens and Emilio became the quintessential Made Man, a future Mafia Don who had acquired

o, they look so perfec

fidence seeing as we were such close friends. We talked about everything and anything under th

e one thing I had told him I hated more than anything. He had reverted into every other detest

reciprocated, not if he is willing to go to such lengths to have Selene as his. Not that I w

never revealed it to him lest he reported back to my father. The two had bec

and do what she wanted to do. It was already too late, though. She had been convinced otherwise, pushed into believing that they were the perfect

t matters, tho

ady to overlook the blood that stained his hands. I had been ready to chain myself t

nd the world we had been born into. I had been willing to compromise everyth

asn't brave enough to compromise everything I stood f

loved enough to become a Don w

owed me to make that decision despite knowing nothing of my internal c

d our disagreements? Do I hate her for taking him away from me? For bein

nt you guys had last night. On the contrary, they seem to actually be enjoying the ass kissing. Bu

been the only one who had voiced my dissent on our sister's sudden nuptials. It had been

ning when we were getting ready. I think the Texas sized bruise on my cheek had something t

e from Tori before she shove

w that's true sibling love. Nonna was right when she said you two would

eck family. Here's to childhood trauma, depression and anger issues. No therapist would ever agree to unpack th

ute little snort laugh in return as she

able people, we are lounging on the side lines, away from their conversations and prying eyes just to keep them f

into a woman with her own opinions that were almost identical to my own. She really was my b

e we begin the fight of our lives to gain true freedom. Soon, o

*