Chapter 45
TIFFANY
Milan
Part of me is excited, the other part of me dreading every second of this.
Joseph has retreated into that dark place in his mind, which doesn’t help with my anxiety. The guards are their usual silent presence, and the black cars move steadily in convoy as if they are transporting a world leader in a cavalcade. This time, the intention is deadly.
I am being taken to the finest hotel in the city. The plan is to meet my sisters there, which is bittersweet.
It will be the first time we have spoken since leaving the convent, and I can’t wait.
I have learned they had a similar experience to me, and I pray to God that they have fallen in love with their husbands.
That they feel even a tiny bit of what I do for Joseph.
That will be enough to convince me that we all made the right decision.
They are here already. Their flight from New York landed earlier today and my anticipation builds as I contemplate our lives now. Will they view me differently? Will I notice any change in them?
As always, we move as a pack and as the car rolls to a halt outside the luxury hotel, Joseph pockets his phone and grips my hand.
“Are you ready, angel?”
“Of course.”
My smile is an anxious one and his low whisper soothes, “I’ve got you, angel. You’re always safe with me.”
The door opens and as we step into the light, I take a deep breath of warm air, warmer than London, anyway.
The sun is beating down, a little less heat in it due to the season, but enough.
As we pass through the doors into the reception, I notice the general buzz of conversation quieten as we make quite an entrance.
Rather than head to the check-in desk, we are directed to the elevators and as we step inside, the guards make certain we are alone.
“I could get used to this level of service.”
I attempt to make light of the situation, and Joseph smiles briefly. “It comes as standard, sadly you are aware of the reasons why.”
I say nothing because it makes perfect sense, given what happened the last time he went out without protection. I’m aware he is anxious, not for himself, but for me. It’s only worsened as he grips my hand a little tighter each time.
The elevator comes to a stop and once again there are guards waiting outside and as we head to the huge double doors at the end, the plaque on the door states simply, Penthouse.
We head inside into the huge open space, light, spacious and decadent. However, my attention is not on the décor but the two women waiting for me and as I drop Joseph’s hand, I run as fast as I can into their arms.
“Oh my God.”
I never realized until this moment how much I missed my sisters. As time goes, it’s not been so long but feels like an eternity.
“Tiff.”
Alice grips me hard, as Rose sobs, “Thank God you’re okay.”
It’s as if we are the only ones here, back in the room we shared at the convent, and I cling onto them as if they are the life support I need.
Alice whispers, “Are you okay, honey?”
“I am, are you?”
I’m anxious for their replies and Alice chuckles softly. “I’m so happy, Tiff.”
Rose adds, “Me too. I never realized life could be so well, amazing until I met Julius.”
My gaze searches for the man in question and my heart stills when I note the amusement on the faces of the three brothers staring at us with interest.
“Which one is Julius?”
I whisper to Rose, and she points to the one in the center.
“That scary looking guy in the middle.”
We giggle and Alice says in a low voice, “Joseph is gorgeous.”
“He is.”
To be honest, they all are – they are brothers after all and unlike the three of us, they share the same parents.
I catch Joseph’s eyes and he smiles sweetly and a warm sensation curls around my heart. I am exactly where I want to be right now. My family. My fucked-up family that I wouldn’t change for the world.
A deep voice behind us makes us jump and a fourth man heads into the room, his appearance similar to the three brothers.
“Nico.”
Julius steps forward and we peer at him with interest as he smiles.
“I’m sorry for the intrusion. I’m Nico Ravera. The older brother. I’m very pleased to meet you all, despite the circumstances.”
He nods toward the huge couch that circles a low-slung table.
“We need to talk.”
As we take our seats, I sit between my sisters, holding their hands, so happy we are together again.
The brothers space out around us, and I peer with interest at Nico, who somehow manages to command everyone’s attention with one dark glare.
I’m aware he is the heir to the title of Don. Their father is seeking retirement and Nico will be the one in charge. Like them, he is charismatic, darkly disturbing and so attractive it’s almost sinful to look at him.
“Morgan is at Enrico’s mansion on the outskirts of the city. We will pay her a visit and secure the premises.”
He nods toward Simeon.
“Simeon, take Julius and your guards with me as back up. Joseph, you wait here with the girls.”
I wonder if that’s okay with Joseph being relegated to babysitter, but he appears unconcerned.
Nico adds, “The plan is to attack in force. I understand that she has traveled with less than twelve guards, so it shouldn’t be difficult to take them out.
She has a food delivery booked and our plan is to commandeer the vehicle and head inside through the gates.
Once we are inside, secure the house and open the gates electronically.
Our other guards will be waiting and as we take them out, those already inside are to secure Morgan. ”
I am shivering with fear, so grateful that Joseph will be here with me, and I can’t imagine the fear running through my sister’s veins right now.
Alice speaks up.
“I’m sorry, Nico, but may I also throw a suggestion out there?”
The room is silent as Simeon smirks at his brother, who merely leans back with a blank expression.
“We are very knowledgeable of the Milan house and its layout, and I believe it would be easier to attack from the rear.”
“Go on.”
Rose nods her agreement.
“There’s a pool house down by the boundary that backs onto the road.
When we were last there, the wood was beginning to rot, and it wouldn’t take much to break through from the road outside.
The guards never patrolled that area, believing it was secure, so unless they have repaired it since, my bet is to go in through there. ”
I nod enthusiastically. “There is also a cellar in the pool house that connects with the house. Our father had it built as a security measure, and now I understand why. It’s doubtful he told Morgan about it due to who she is, and even if she is aware of it, she may not be expecting visitors to know about it. ”
“It’s your best shot of getting inside the house, and most of the guards remain outside, anyway. Morgan could be alone in there and you could, well, um, save yourself the trouble of explaining a massacre.”
Alice adds, a hesitant smile on her face as her husband Simeon looks on with pride, settling any doubt of their relationship in my mind.
“It sounds a better plan.” Joseph adds and then I say loudly, “Why can’t we come with you? We know the grounds, the house, and the layout. Surely Morgan will be outnumbered, and it is our fight, anyway.”
“No!”
Four male voices sound as one and Nico stands.
“You will remain here. There is no way in hell we are putting you at risk. Joseph will protect you, along with his guards, and I will be halfway between here and the house to help anyone who needs it. Simeon and Julius are the best men for this job; they go alone.”
Alice glares at her husband, who merely grins and Rose sighs, her worried glance at Julius causing me to squeeze her hand.
Nico stands. “Alice is right. The entrance from the pool house is the better option.”
She stands. “Then you need me because one thing I never told you is that there is a fingerprint system in place to gain access.”
“Fuck!”
Simeon growls, “For the love of God, Alice, why are you so fucking stubborn?”
“I’m not a meek passenger in this marriage, Simeon. This is our fight, not yours, and if anyone is going to face our stepmother wannabee, it’s one of us.”
“We’ll all go.”
Rose voices her support and I add my voice. “I agree.”
The brothers are angry. It’s so obvious, but as they collectively shake their heads, Nico laughs out loud.
“Is something funny?”
Julius glares at his brother, and Nico grins.
“Picture our father in our position and mom. Who would win the argument?”
The defeat on their faces tells me my answer and Julius groans. “Why did I think taking a wife would be different to this? I should have got a dog instead. At least they can be trained to do what I fucking say.”
“Calm down Julius, we’ll all be fine.”
I’m surprised at the strength in Rose’s voice and am encouraged when her husband smiles fondly at her. Shaking his head slightly before exhaling sharply.
“Fine.”
I catch Joseph’s eye and he questions me with one familiar smile.
I nod, attempting to inject some encouragement into my smile because I’m fully aware he will be hating every second of this.
“Then change of plan.” Nico huffs, “Simeon, you go with Alice to the pool house entrance. Julius, you take the front gate with Rose and pretend you are visiting Morgan. She may believe you are there to confront her alone and deploy all the guards to focus on you.”
He turns to Joseph. “You take the delivery entrance. Take Tiffany and two guards and hide in the van, and another guard can play driver. I’m guessing that two guards will be present to offload the van, and it should be easy to take them out.
My role is to oversee the operation via comms and direct you accordingly.
We will be just outside should it all go to shit and act as backup in the event of it all going wrong. Any questions?”
Joseph speaks up.
“The girls must get the chance to confront her. It’s their decision what happens to her.”
Silence falls and the men wait for Nico to speak, and he turns his attention in our direction.
“What is your preference?”
The million, or should I say, billion-dollar question and to be honest, I don’t have an answer in me.
Alice states simply, “I want her to pay.”
Rose nods. “Me too.”
They turn to me and as I catch Joseph’s eye, it gives me superhuman strength.
“I want her confession, and her truth, and then I want to send that bitch to hell the hard way.”
The expressions on my sister’s faces are almost comical and yet the excitement lighting their eyes tells me we are all on the same page.
“Understood.”
Nico stands.
“Then let’s take the girls home for a visit.”