32. Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-One
Elise
I was born into this life. And though my father kept me shielded from it, I always had an idea of what went down behind the scenes. I swore to myself that I would protect my brother. I would protect him in the way my father never did. But I have failed. Trying to protect him against someone as wicked as my husband is a task for only the devil himself. And as the days turn to weeks, and I rarely see either of them, I know it is only a matter of time before the Trovolis are completely wiped from the map, with Enzo at the helm.
I don’t know how I’ll be able to live with myself when that day comes, when my brother proves his loyalty to his natural-born enemy by killing his own family. Especially when I know the truth about his mother’s death, it is one of the many ways I have failed him.
I take a deep breath, shifting my attention to the flowers I’ve been replanting. Since Enzo has been dragged back into Luca’s business, there has been no one to tend the flowers in the back. So I took it upon myself a few days ago to tend to them myself. It gives me something to do while simultaneously giving me all the time in the world to think about my brother.
I hear the sound of the door to the back patio opening, and I sit up, wiping sweat from my brow, expecting to see Luca joining me. But it isn’t Luca.
It’s Enzo.
We stare at one another for what feels like hours, having so much to say but not knowing how to begin to break it to each other. This is the first time we’ve seen each other since his mother died, and Luca took him in. I’m sure Luca no longer cares whether or not we run into one another, especially now that we both know the truth. Luca knows I won’t reveal to Enzo what really happened. And Enzo has finally mustered up the courage to speak to the woman whose life he uprooted just by being born.
Enzo looks past me to the flowers, then back to me. I’m happy he didn’t inherit my father’s looks, as he looks at me with a desperate expression.
“Um, Mr. Pasquino told me the truth about everything. And that you’re my half-sister,” he says.
I force myself not to react to his use of the word “half.” It places a barrier between us. Enzo doesn’t see me as a confidant or a protector. And I’m sure if Luca’s words are correct, and Enzo isn’t as innocent as I thought, I can see why. He doesn’t need me to protect him. And the longer I study him, the more I don’t want to wrap my mind around that.
I quietly stand, approaching him. He’s taller than me, I note as I offer him a smile.
“And you’re my brother,” I manage.
His eyes are down as he stands before me. He can’t bring himself to look at me. I’m sure it’s because Luca told him about the grisly history between us.
“Our father—”
I place my fingers under his chin, lifting his head to look at me.
“Look at me when you speak,” I say gently.
Enzo pulls in a deep breath, trying again.
“Our father tried to kill you…because of me,” he says.
“Yes,” I say.
He releases a breath of disbelief.
“You don’t seem bothered by that at all,” he says.
I shrug.
“I’ve had time to process. And it is the life I was born into,” I say.
“I don’t understand. Why did you help me? Why did you advocate for my life? I’m a threat to yours,” he says.
“Because you’re like me. Thrown into this against your will as a pawn on the chessboard. Except on the other side, you would have had no chance at surviving,” I say.
“But I’m the reason for all of the problems in your life. There has to be hate for me somewhere in your heart,” he says in confusion.
I can’t help but smile at his innocence. At least part of him is still childlike and naive.
“You’re the only family I have left. Our family sent me away to my death. All I want now is for you to be protected,” I say.
And though I’ve been resentful of him and his ways, I know Luca is the only one who can help me do that.
Enzo shakes his head.
“No, you’re the one who needs to be protected. I swear, once I prove myself, I will never stop protecting you,” he says.
“You don’t have to worry about me, Enzo. I married a powerful man. He is the reason I am alive today. If you ever want to take a different road, though, tell me. I can talk to him,” I say.
But I know my words are useless as Enzo shakes his head. He’s already had a taste of blood. And he is much less mature mentally than Luca. Now, the only road for him leads to avenging his mother.
“I’ve never had a purpose in my life. My mother always talked about it, but it never seemed real. Especially since I saw my—our father so rarely. But Mr. Pasquino has given me more than that. And I only want to repay him—both of you for your kindness, even though I am the root of your troubles,” he says.
I shake my head.
“Enzo—”
“What’s this?” We both turn to see Luca stepping out onto the patio.
His expression is blank as he looks at both of us—the two Trovolis he’s allowed in his home. And even as he crosses the patio to place a kiss on my forehead, I sense the disdain coming from him. Ever since our fight in the car, he’s been distant. My words have pushed him further away than I thought possible, but for some reason, he still is holding fast to his role as my protector.
“Hi,” I say softly, and I don’t miss the sound of Enzo greeting him as his Capo.
“Catching up, are we?” Luca asks as his hand drifts to my shoulder.
“Yes,” I say. But Enzo remains silent. He fears Luca in a way I haven’t seen before.
“You’d be real proud of your brother, Elise. All the work he’s put in to prevent what happened to his mother from happening to you. He’s a symbol of dedication,” Luca says.
He’s toying with me, baiting me into talking to my brother the way I did to him. But he knows I won’t. In his eyes, I am biased. Hell, maybe I am. But I’ve seen sides to Luca that existed long before my family revealed their intentions.
“Nicolai just pulled up. He’s waiting for you,” Luca says to Enzo.
Enzo nods, not bothering to say goodbye, as he follows Luca’s orders without a conscience. And as soon as he leaves us alone, Luca turns his full attention to me.
“What? Are you not going to reprimand your brother for his actions? Not going to talk him out of avenging his mother like you’ve tried with me?” he asks.
I quickly shove away from Luca, but he catches my wrist, pulling me flush against him.
“Don’t forget that you should both be dead. Your lives come with my protection,” he growls. I snatch my wrist from his grip, narrowing my gaze.
“How could I forget?” I ask.
Silence passes between us as we glare at one another, but Luca suddenly smiles, his demeanor shifting.
“You know what I realized over these days? I love you…so much. You would not believe the favors I’ve turned down now that everyone knows where Eli’s heir has ended up. But you, who openly loathes everything that I am, ask me to keep him alive for nothing in return. And I bend to your will,” Luca snaps his finger for emphasis, “Like that.”
Once again, silence passes between us. But Luca doesn’t seem to mind. I see the gears spinning in his head.
“I was planning on taking your brother out to celebrate his coming of age. Why don’t you join us?”
Being married to Luca for as long as I have has taught me two things.
One: Luca never brings me along for what he says we’re doing.
And Two: Luca loves a spectacle.
It’s how I know that this isn’t a celebration for my brother. It’s a front for something else. And I know that it involves Enzo as well. The party in question has a lot of Luca’s family members among the investors who have shown up. The Pasquino empire is one that everyone wants to be a part of. And it has legal sides as well. But I know Luca didn’t bring me here to forget our worries and celebrate my brother.
He brought me here to add to them.
“What are you looking for?” Luca asks, interrupting my thoughts.
“My brother,” I say, making sure I grab a glass of champagne as a server passes by.
Luca laughs as he directs me to the center of the ballroom.
“You know I can tell when you’re lying, Elise,” he murmurs in my ear.
But I turn to him, my gaze narrowed.
“And I can tell when you’re lying, Luca ,” I say.
Luca’s smile drops slightly, and he studies me, a small laugh leaving his lips as he angles his head and takes me in. His brow furrows slightly as he feigns innocence.
“And what is it that I’ve lied about tonight?” he asks.
I don’t know where my sudden bout of bravery comes from as I step closer to my husband, holding his gaze as I speak.
“This being a celebration,” I say.
Luca scoffs, but I can see through him. He’s shocked that I am standing up to him. He glares at me, before an eerie smile forms on his lips. He then reaches for the champagne flute, pulling it from my grasp as he watches me in silence. But before he can say anything more, Romelo interrupts us with a well-dressed Enzo in tow.
He’s wearing a dark suit, his usually messy hair neatly pushed away from his face and trimmed, making him look much older than usual. He actually looks like a man instead of a young kid.
“Boss,” Romelo says.
And that’s it. Luca seems to know exactly what that means as he nods, looking back at me. He leans in, placing a quick kiss on my lips before shifting his attention to Enzo.
“Take care of each other,” he says, tossing me a wink before moving in the opposite direction with Romelo in tow.
I watch him carefully as he departs. He looks very relaxed. Usually, if something wicked is planned, he has an air of excitement around him. But tonight, he’s very calm, and though it should make me feel better, it doesn’t. I know Luca. And as I said before, I know that this night isn’t about celebrating Enzo.
I turn to my brother, smiling at him as I push down my nerves for his sake. If anything is going down tonight, he will be at the center of it.
“How are you feeling?” I ask.
“I’m good. Do you guys do stuff like this often?” he asks, looking around the room in awe. I follow his gaze, admiring the beauty of the room. It is an elaborate ballroom with a chandelier that rivals any that I’ve seen. But as I continue to look, I notice glances from Pasquinos.
They’re eyeing Enzo in disgust.
“It depends on the occasion,” I say, steering him away from the crowd.
Everyone here knows where Enzo and I came from. And while my life was spared because I married their boss, Enzo should be long dead because of who he is and his connection to Luca’s father’s death. It’s one thing to talk about it and hear Luca explain how Enzo must prove himself to be accepted, but to be among the people who hate him the most and to see the reaction his presence gives is another thing entirely.
It’s unnerving.
“So you’ve lived among these people since your wedding?” Enzo asks, obviously aware of the looks.
I nod.
“Even though what happened with our father…”
“It was Luca’s decision to keep me alive. His father wanted me to die in that warehouse alongside our father,” I say.
Enzo nods.
“He really cares about you, huh?” he says.
His words pull my attention.
“In his own way,” I say.
Of course, on the outside looking in, Luca is a doting husband. But what he feels can’t be equivalent to love. It’s too dangerous for that.
“When I said he told me everything, I meant everything, Elise. I know the only reason I am here is because he doesn’t want to upset you by letting what’s left of our family take me out. But for me to be accepted like you are by the Pasquinos, there are things that I have to do,” he says.
I narrow my gaze.
“Why are you talking like this?” I ask.
“I know you think you are protecting me by shielding me from this world. But I have been part of it longer than you’ve known I existed. You can’t protect me, Elise. And you can’t control what I do,” he says, stepping back.
“Enzo, I don’t understand—”
“Good evening, everyone. I want to thank you all for not only coming out on short notice but for graciously opening up your minds to the idea of tonight’s festivities.” I tense, my eyes wide as I turn to see Luca standing on the ballroom stage just as applause erupts. Enzo shifts next to me, and I reach for his arm, gripping him with all my might as he tries to join Luca on stage.
“No,” I whisper.
But Enzo yanks his arm from my grip, disappointment on his expression as he shakes his head. He moves through the crowd as Luca continues his speech, and his gray eyes fall on me as he does.
“How many of you recognize this face?” Luca gestures to Enzo, and all eyes fall on him as he moves to stand on stage. I flinch when suddenly I hear an angered shout from a member of the Pasquino family. Another follows it as everyone points out who is joining Luca on stage.
But Luca shushes them, quirking a brow as he wraps his arm around my brother.
“Trust me. No one feels as passionately as I do about what his life means,” Luca says as more screams erupt.
“Fuck the Trovoli’s!”
Luca’s smile widens.
“Don’t worry. We’ve done that and more. I know what bringing him into this family means. It means letting another snake into the garden when we just cleared it out. But I swear to you. On my title as your Capo, he has been essential in rounding up the traitorous scum who murdered my father,” Luca says.
Cheers erupt.
As much as I want to step back and hide within myself, I remain with my head held high as I watch Luca bury my family name.
“In fact, tonight’s festivities were his idea.” Luca looks directly at me as he speaks, making sure he sees my reaction as he takes down the innocent facade I’ve associated with my brother.
I hear a commotion at the back of the room, my eyes widening as I see a familiar face, struggling and tied up as she is dragged through the room to join Luca and Enzo on stage.
It’s Ari.
When I look back at the stage, Luca’s smile widens as he watches me, shrugging as he gestures to my brother. And I know he is talking to me as he speaks his next sentence.
“I think he has what it takes to join this family. Don’t you?”