Chapter 48
Chapter Forty-Eight
Lily
“Where’s Serafina?” I ask one of the boys wearing a football jacket, holding a red Solo cup.
“Last I saw her, she was taking shots in the pool.” He laughs like it’s the coolest thing.
Taking the red cup away from him, the smell of beer hits my nose, and instantly, I’m taken back to that room. Shaking the thoughts away before they consume me, I chug what is in the cup.
“Oh shit! Let’s gooo! You want another?” another boy wearing a football jacket asks.
Now there’s a group of boys around me. Although they are much younger than I am, I feel like they are closing in on me. Mom would let us have parties growing up when Dad was away, but she definitely is unaware of this one.
“How about this,” I warn. “Leave now, or I take whatever footage from the security cameras and send it to your coach. Let’s see how your football careers hold up.”
This is enough to make them drop their cups and scatter out the door.
Walking through the house, there isn’t a corner that doesn’t have people making out in it.
When I get to the backyard, the pool has floating cups and people playing volleyball.
Kids playing beer pong on one table, flip cup on another, and someone doing a keg stand.
“Where’s Serafina?” I ask someone, who points toward the outdoor bar area.
Serafina is lying on the bar as a boy is taking a shot off her. I stand there with my arms crossed and tapping my foot, but the music is too loud for her to notice.
“Lily!” My name is called, and when I turn to see who it is, I shake my head.
“Maisie, what is going on here?” I snap.
“Chill! Sera was on some kick about you telling her how lucky she is and something about people living poorly.” She shrugs like it’s no big deal. “She made it sound like this was your idea.”
“Get her off the bar, now.”
Maisie and Serafina are almost inseparable. Maisie and I don’t really get along, but the more Serafina brings her around, the more we started warming up to each other.
“You’ve been crying,” Maisie says. “It’s just a party. We can clear it out ASAP.”
“I haven’t been crying, Maisie.” My waterproof makeup held up pretty well. Maisie actually is the one who recommended this eyeliner and mascara.
“So then you’re high?” she questions. “Can we have some?”
“Maisie.” My tone is a warning.
She pulls Serafina off the bar and whispers something in her ear. Serafina sees me and carefully approaches me.
“Hey, Lily.” Her sweet smile does nothing to ease me, especially as she stumbles around. “How was the gala?”
“Why is there a party here? It’s a school night, for crying out loud. I know Mom wouldn’t approve of this,” I say, my voice tinged with disbelief and frustration as I glance around the chaotic scene unfolding in our backyard.
Serafina, with her ever-casual demeanor, simply shrugs, her nonchalant behavior only adding to my irritation. “Mom said she wasn’t coming home tonight, and you typically don’t come home either," she retorts, a hint of challenge in her tone.
“Where is she going?” I press, my stomach knotting with anxiety. The thought of Mom being out somewhere without telling me is making me feel sick. Serafina rolls her eyes, clearly annoyed by my questioning. “Serafina,” I prompt, my voice firm as I seek clarity.
“Okay, okay. Look, Mom met some guy on her trip, and she’s going out with him after the gala,” she finally admits, her discomfort palpable as she avoids my gaze.
“What? What trip? What guy?” My voice rises, a mix of shock and confusion flooding through me. I can’t wrap my head around the idea that Mom is out dating someone, especially when I feel so lost.
“Her trip to St. Tropez,” Serafina replies, her tone flat, as if it’s an everyday occurrence.
“She went on a trip while I was gone?” My heart races, a sick feeling welling up inside me. How could she leave when I needed her most?
“Yeah, she said she didn’t want to waste the money.” Serafina shrugs again, as if that explains everything. “It shouldn’t be a big deal. I mean you ditched her to go to Ireland.”
“I didn’t ditch her!” I can’t help but feel a surge of anger mixed with betrayal. It’s not her fault she doesn’t know the truth, but to think I’d just ditch our family like that. “And you’re just cool with her meeting a guy?”
“Well, Lily, Mom can’t stay alone forever. I mean, we all love Dad, but he’s gone. And once I’m off to college, she’ll be all by herself. I mean, she’ll have you, but you’re always off with some guy doing something,” she responds, her voice laced with a mixture of resignation and understanding.
I feel drained—physically and emotionally exhausted. The weight of my recent experiences hangs heavily on my shoulders, making it hard to process everything. “Get everyone out,” I say, my tone leaving no room for argument despite knowing the party will continue regardless.
The realization that my mom went on a trip while I was being trafficked is too much for my mind to comprehend.
I take quick steps through the house, my feet carrying me up the stairs and toward my bedroom.
I need to escape this chaotic scene. I rush into my bedroom to get out of this gown.
It is beautiful, and I remember Alessio getting it for me.
But now, I am just dying to get out of it.
The boning of the corset top digs into my ribs, and when I finally get the zipper down, my lungs gasp in all the air it can take.
After removing my jewelry, I change into a white tank top, black yoga pants paired with flat sandals, and grab a cardigan before heading back out.
As I walk outside, none of the kids are leaving, so I know the party will go on.
Putting on my cardigan, I look over my shoulder at the house that I grew up in.
I always joked with Mom that we needed something bigger, but now I feel ashamed about being so privileged.
My hands grip the keys to my Maserati Grecale, custom light pink with black leather interior.
I thought I had died and gone to heaven when Gavin bought it for me, but now my stomach knots in guilt for such luxury.
I find myself driving to Alessio’s, although I’m sure he is still at the gala.
The housekeeper will let me in as usual without question.
I just want to snuggle up in bed, and maybe I can pretend to fall asleep, so he doesn’t get any ideas.
Then, in the morning, I can tell him it’s over, that we can’t do this. I won’t be someone’s mistress.
When I knock on the door, the housekeeper seems surprised to see me. “Ms. Andretti.” She smiles. “I was not expecting you.” She looks over her shoulder.
“Did Alessio get back?” I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.
“He did. He’s just in his office in a meeting.” She seems hesitant to let me in.
“I’ll just go upstairs. Let him know I’m here?” I step inside.
“Of course.” She nods.
Something feels off, but I’m not sure if it is my newfound paranoia or something else.
Did she not want me to know who was in the office or not want me to hear what was being said?
There were plenty of times Alessio would be in the middle of something and the housekeeper would just send me up to his room.
I turn toward her. “Do you mind getting me some sweet tea? Iced, of course.”
There is a brief sigh. It takes more time to make it, and it’s already late, but it is the only form of distraction I can think of.
“Of course, Ms. Andretti.” She nods and heads toward the kitchen.
As soon as she is out of sight, I dash toward Alessio’s office.
There’s talking, but I can’t make out who is saying what.
Giving up, I decide to use the bathroom next to the office.
When I step in, I hear voices coming through the vent.
It is a lot clearer than expected, almost as though it’s a secret way of listening in. Did Alessio know this?
“I’m not wiring anyone half a million dollars,” Alessio says. “The deal was that I get rid of the Russians and he brings her back.”
“The only way he was able to do that is to buy her.” I can hear it’s Cameron now speaking. “She was being trafficked.” Are they talking about me?
“He could have kidnapped her,” Alessio replies. “Who spends half a million on pussy?” Alessio’s words bite me.
“You did,” Darius cuts in. “When you agreed to bring her back, you didn’t specify any reason to fall back.”
“Half a million isn’t a good enough reason?” Alessio shoots back.
“For someone chasing said pussy, not really seeing what the issue is here,” Cameron continues.
“This falls on you both. My terms were to bring her back. You both are the ones that got more than half his men wiped out. This five hundred thousand dollars will fall on both of you. Your wives shouldn’t have an issue with it. Anything for their little sister.”
Darius speaks up. “We don’t have an issue with it.”
“I don’t like how close you are with him,” Alessio voices. “Your loyalty should be to me.”
“It is,” Darius assures him.
“It’s insulting you would question it,” Cameron adds.
“Let’s see. Instead of paying Killian out, I want him dead.”
“What do we get out of that?” Cameron replies. “You want to start another war?”
“This round will be easier. There are fewer of them, and we can make it look like the Russians did it.”
I gasp, stumbling back. No. No. No. I can’t say for Darius, but I know Cameron wouldn’t do that to Killian. But just as Killian said once, friendship means nothing when you sit on the opposite side of the table.
“Consider it done,” Cameron says.