23. Lia
Chapter 23
Lia
My life has been smooth since the Bianchi funeral. Too peaceful, to be honest.
And today, we've been asked to gather at Dominic's for dinner. That surprised everyone, including me. Definitely including Cade, because he never gets invited anywhere.
It doesn't stop the heaviness hanging in the air, like the eerie calm before a dark storm brews. I can't shake the feeling that something unsettling is on the horizon, and I don't like it one bit.
As we arrive, the wrought-iron gates slide back, revealing the sleek, architectural home where Dominic lives.
It's all sharp angles and clean lines, an epitome of modern minimalism. The imposing house is elegant, with clean lines, contrasting nicely against the gentle but lush, meticulously landscaped grounds.
The facade is a mix of charcoal colored stone, which matches the darkness of the tinted floor-to-ceiling glass panels that I suspect are bullet proof.
Three-inch lengths of oak wood span the full width of the house, rising from the balcony to the roof, neutralizing the darkness.
Dante drives to the underground garage, parking his car alongside the many already there. He cuts the engine and says, "Let’s get this over with."
"You okay?" I ask Cade when we get out of Dante's car.
He smiles. "Nervous but happy."
I squeeze his hand. "Me too."
"You brought your gun?" Dante asks, jokingly.
I tap my thigh. "Yeah."
He chuckles as he presses for the elevator. The doors slide open and we get inside, and wait for the big revelation of why we're summoned.
As we step inside the home, I take in the soaring double-height ceilings and the open concept main floor. It's ridiculously opulent, from the palatial marble foyer to the rich mahogany details.
A dramatic floating staircase bisects the space and to the left is the living area with low-slung leather sofas arranged around a linear gas fireplace framed in black stone. To the right lies the dining room, where we’re about to eat dinner.
Throughout, the color palette is muted - grays, blacks, tans, and splashes of rich wood tones. It's severely stylish, yet devoid of much personality or warmth. Very masculine. Then again, that seems fitting for a controlled, polished man like Dominic.
I'm surprised my stepmother hasn't tried to change it. Though, now I know why, that’ll never happen.
"Would you like a drink?" a server asks as she rushes out of the kitchen with my stepmother following closely behind.
I shake my head. But she's already ignoring me. Her eyes gleam as she spots Dante and Rafe.
"What happened to you?" the server asks Rafe. Her mouth opens wide as she stares at his still bruised face.
"Stop being rude, Melanie," my stepmother hisses behind her.
"Sorry, can I get you gentlemen a drink?" she asks, flustered. Her gaze wanders back to Dante, and I watch as her eyes roam up and down his body.
"Bourbon for me," Dante says, smiling at me as I stare at her as she gives him the eye.
He strolls to me, his arm slips around my waist as he pulls me to him and whispers, "Are you jealous?"
"Is she on a death wish?"
He chuckles and pulls me to his side. "There's only you for me, but I like this side of you."
"Jealousy!"
"You knowing you're mine and I'm yours." Dante laughs as the front door opens and his brother, Xander, and his friend, Cole, stroll in.
"Fuck, Rafe, what happened to you?" Cole asks.
"Hey Lia," Milly yells from the kitchen. "Come here."
"My sister beckons."I roll my eyes heavenward as I follow her voice into the kitchen.
It's just as austere as the rest of the house. All sleek, hidden appliances and flat-front charcoal cabinetry. Two islands stand in the middle. One with a thick slab of Italian marble. The other has a stove in the middle.
And on the other side of the island sits Lorenzo Bianchi.
I smile. "You know Enzo," Milly says, rushing to his side and pressing a kiss on his cheek. "We're…"
"Dating," he finishes for her.
Oh, my life. This won’t end well. I know because neither Romeo nor Con were happy to hear of their flourishing relationship.
"Hi Enzo, how are you?"
He smiles. "Good and you?"
"Not too bad, thanks." I really need to get out of here and forewarn Rafe, but then I glance through the open kitchen doorway and see Dominic talking to my three men, and Xander and Cole.
I turn back to Enzo and Milly and point between them. "And how does Romeo feel about the two of you?" I ask. I don't want to even mention anything about Mateo.
Jesus, these two are playing with fire.
She tilts one shoulder high in the air and says, "Who cares? He doesn't. I don't…"
"You'll have to have an arranged marriage, won't you?" I ask Enzo. Secretly, the question is aimed at Milly—a subtle reminder about who she's dating.
She grins. "He doesn't. He's the head of his family, and he can do anything he wants. And right now, we're getting ready to go to the casino."
"You're not staying for dinner."
"No way."
Enzo clears his throat. "Regarding marriage stuff. I found out it's not not entirely true," he says.
Milly narrows her eyes. "Sorry? But you told me…"
"Where's Amara?" I ask, wanting to get away from the conversation.
"She's in her room getting ready. Surprise her," Milly says. "Her room is upstairs. The second room on the left."
"The surprise will be her having a heart attack when she doesn't remember me."
"She's used to it now. Go and see her."
I walk away from Milly and Enzo, listening to the conversation they have about what’s expected of him. He tells her he might one day have a bride arranged for him.
Milly sighs when he tells her he can choose the age he gets wed. I know that's not true, but I hear nothing else as I reach the stairs.
It's a floating staircase with a glass and steel balustrade, and non-slip marble on the tread.
I take tentative steps, because there is something unnerving about it. Yet, when I reach the top of the staircase, the view is as amazing as the house.
The entire rear of the home is glass, providing a seamless transition to the expansive stone terrace and the crystal blue pool that bleeds into the immaculately groomed grounds.
Beyond the house is the sea. But because it's behind the bulletproof glass, I don't hear a sound—not a wave, a bird, only the hitch of my stepmother's voice ordering everyone around.
Dominic's home is on a small block of land compared to the massive estates of his fellow Syndicate heads. But his home is on, arguably, the most expensive piece of dirt in the whole Queensland, and from what I've heard, he's been offered obscene amounts of money from developers who'd love to plonk a hotel on the grounds.
Those developers try their luck for so long until they realize who they’re dealing with and then they run as fast as their legs will take them.
When I reach the second door on the right, I lift my hand and tap gently against the wooden door.
"Come in," Amara says gently before I step inside.
"It's me. Your sister, Lia." I say tentatively as I walk toward her and pull her in for a hug. She's looking at me again like she thinks she knows me, but she's not so sure. "How are you?"
"Lia … Lia … Lia." I can see her trying to place me. Trying to remember.
"Your memories will come back," I say. Hoping the doctor was right and they will.
"I know. Mom told me I was dating Mateo before the accident and…"
"What the hell? No, you weren't."
"I wasn't?"
"I found you arguing with him."
"A lovers argument?" she questions.
"No. It was bigger than that and you wanted to talk to me about something that was happening to you. I'm so sorry that I never came to you to find out what was wrong." I hold her biceps as I stare at her and sigh. "But what the hell makes Mom think you're dating Mateo?"
"I might have been. I just don't remember him. Even when he visited me."
"Mateo Conti visited you?"
She nods. "Mom hoped his visit would reignite my memories."
Internally, I scream. The woman she is calling her mother hasn't got a fucking clue.
But come to think about it. Mateo looked at me strangely in the helicopter, and he saw me kill the head of another Syndicate family. He heard me letting everyone know I was ready for the Mafia world.
Has he got an agenda?
But why does that involve Amara?
Did Mateo Conti try to kill my sister? Because there is no way in this life they are dating.
I swallow back the lump that has made its way into my throat.
"Dinner is ready," I say to her. "Xander and Cole are here, too."
"Cole?"
"Xander's friend from college."
I know she's trying to place him. I take her hand and lead her from her bedroom. "We should go to the beach. You, me, Milly, some of your friends. What do you think?"
"Dominic takes me for walks along the beach. He thinks the fresh air will help with my memories," she breathes. "I like it. But Mom freaked when she found out."
"Why?"
"She thinks I was targeted and someone actually tried to kill me." She turns to me with unshed tears. "Did I upset someone?"
Amara is at least four inches taller than me, but when I pull her to me and hold her tightly, it feels like she’s so much smaller. "Nobody would ever want to hurt you. You're funny. You're perfect. And you've hurt no one in your life." I glance around us, making sure nobody is listening and say, "But I will find out who knocked you over and if I find out it was intentional, they'll pay."
She smiles. "I like you."
"You love me, Amara, and I love you."
Her face lights up as she gives me one of her beautiful grins. "Thank you."
I take her hand. “Let’s get dinner.”
"Ah, there you are," Dominic says when we reach the bottom of the staircase. "Dinner is being served."
We're ushered into the formal dining room. Everyone is already seated around the impossibly long, polished table set with fine china and glittering crystal stemware.
"Can I sit with you?" Amara asks.
"Of course." I sit on the chair next to Dante and ask Cole if it's okay if he takes the seat Amara wants to sit in. He begrudgingly moves along one chair, allowing Amara to sit next to me.
Throughout the starter, I watch as Amara picks at her food. It's like she's forgotten how much she likes prawns and Moreton Bay bugs. And this food is delicious. Dominic hires the best chef in the world.
Scents of rosemary and garlic waft into the air as the next course is about to be served. And when the lids are removed, revealing thick grilled steaks, roasted potatoes, and asparagus drizzled with browned butter, my mouth waters.
Amara sits quietly during dinner, her eyes flickering around the table as if trying to take everyone in.
My stepmother rises from her chair, makes her apologies, strides around the table in her usual overbearing way before she disappears into the kitchen and I overhear her asking for more champagne, telling the staff off because her guests have empty glasses.
I'd like to say she is playing the role of a doting hostess. But one, I know better than to believe her act because I know that woman couldn't be warm and welcoming if she tried. The other is I know she is a secret alcoholic.
I really need to tell Milly our stepmother is not our mother, but I know Amara is not in the right state of mind for the conversation.
Heels click sharply on the marble floor as she returns to the table.
"You okay?" I whisper to Amara as I rub my palm over her hand as she squeezes my forearm.
"Sorry."
After the glasses are filled, we're served an elegant chocolate and vanilla torte drizzled with raspberry coulis for dessert. But I can't help feeling this dinner is about something else.
I'm not wrong. Dominic rises from his seat, looks around the table, and says, "I'd like to make a family announcement."
My stepmother grins from ear to ear.
Is she pregnant?
Dominic clears his throat before speaking. "I'm officially handing over my position in the Syndicate to Dante. I've had a long, hard think about everything you did to gain my approval for this position and you're not only ready, you're going to be an outstanding leader." He smiles as he lifts his flute in the air. "You've come a long way for someone who never wanted this. But I never doubted you. To Dante."
I hear some 'wows' from my rights.
"I'd like everyone to toast my son, the new head of the de Luca family." Dominic smiles at me before placing his glass on the table. "I'll make the arrangements for you to be officially sworn into the Syndicate in the coming weeks."
Dante doesn't know what to say. But my stepmother does.
She stands and twists on her heels to face Dominic. "What the fuck are you doing?"
"Don't you dare speak like that in front of my family!"
But I'm thinking the same. Because people like Dominic always have an ulterior motive simmering beneath the surface.
I just need to work out what it is.