Chapter 4

“The guy you are with, scratch that, were with, he worked for your father in the kidnapping and trafficking circuit.” Gio said as he stood in the doorway with his arms folded across his chest. I could no longer control the tears streaming down my face. My life was so fucked up. Antonio scooted over so that he was closer to me, extended his arm and pulled me in close to him. My head rested on his chest as he gently rubbed circles on my back as I let it all out. All the anger, the pain from losing my family, going through life alone in the system, the abuse, everything. I didn’t know where I was going in life, I had no purpose. I didn’t realise how exhausted I was until I fell asleep in Antonio’s arms.

“You’re worthless! Nothing without me! You’re a lazy, good for nothing bitch, not even a good fuck!” His words played over and over in my mind as well as the images of him kicking me in the ribs after he knocked me to the floor in the kitchen.

“Ana! Wake up, please wake up. Listen to the sound of my voice and open your eyes,” Antonio’s voice pulled me from the darkness. I sat up and wrapped my arms around his neck and tried to steady my breathing by listening to his. “Thank fuck. You were having a nightmare,” he explained. “Do you want to tell me about it?”

“Maybe later. Let’s deal with one thing at a time,” I took a deep breath in, well, as much as I could manage without hurting myself. “I have questions.”

“Of course you do,” Antonio smirked.

“Do you know who caused the accident?” he nodded.

“Yes, all traces lead back to Jaime.”

“Wait, you don’t mean,” I felt really sick.

“One and the same.”

“I think you have the wrong person.”

“He’s telling the truth,” Gio said sternly as he entered the room. Oh, what I wouldn’t give for this man to tie me up, tie me down and have his way with me. The blush on my cheeks was evident to what I was thinking, making Gio smirk with fire dancing in his eyes.

“How long have you known?”

“4 years,” I was stunned. Now I see why he wanted to be in control all the time.

“Was I a mark to him?”

“You were until he made you run,” Gio scoffed.

“He wanted the trust fund that was left to you by Papà.”

“If it was left to me, how would he get it?” no one answered. “Ok, why would your father leave me any money?” This was becoming weird now.

“Look in the box,” I took off the lid and pulled out my birth certificate, but it didn’t have my father’s name on it. I took out an A4 envelope.

“Gasp!” I slapped my hand over my mouth, hurting my face as I did. I read the document in my hand:

DNA Testing

Name: Oriana Maria

Sample 1: Eddie Davies Probability: 0.00%

Sample 2: Alberto Genovese Probability: 100%

Antonio was telling me the truth.

“You are a mafia princess. He made the biggest mistake hurting you the way he did,” Gio left, slamming the door behind him making me jump.

“Come on, let’s get some food in you. You won’t heal if you don’t eat,” Antonio helped me off the bed, placed one arm around my waist and held my hand closest to him with his other. I’ve always wanted a brother. “I think he likes you. He went crazy when Julian called to tell him what happened. Smashed up his office,” I couldn’t help but grimace.

“Why would he? He doesn’t even know me. Besides, I’m 50 shades of fucked up right now,” he chuckled. The warm smile on his face and the gentleness of his touch made me feel like I was home.