Chapter 3

Antonio led us back to the living room after the confrontation with Salvatore. I was still in shock from seeing Antonio slap his own son, and even more shocked by the revelation that I was supposed to be their stepsister. Mom squeezed my hand as we walked, her grip painfully tight, her expression unreadable.

The living room felt colder now, the pristine white furniture suddenly more intimidating than impressive. Salvatore and Matteo followed behind us, their presence like a shadow at my back. I could feel Salvatore's glare burning into me, and I resisted the urge to look back.

Antonio gestured for us to sit again on the leather sofa. I sank down beside Mom, practically glued to her side. Salvatore and Matteo took seats across from us, Salvatore nursing his reddened cheek, his eyes filled with hatred.

"Remember when I told you I found a suitable partner?" Antonio addressed his sons. "This is her; Sofia Romano, and her daughter Beatrice, who is now your stepsister."

I noticed Salvatore and Matteo both glaring at me. The tension in the room was suffocating, like trying to breathe underwater. My heart pounded so hard I was sure everyone could hear it.

Before anyone could respond, two more young men entered the living room. The first was tall with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, wearing a black turtleneck and dress pants that emphasized his athletic build. He had hazel eyes and a small scar beneath his left eye that somehow made him look more dangerous rather than flawed. The second man was equally tall and handsome, dressed in an impeccable three-piece suit with a tie clip bearing what I assumed was the family crest. His expression was unreadable, his eyes calculating as they swept over Mom and me.

"These are Dante and Enzo Vasquez. They're twins. Dante is older than Enzo by a few minutes," Antonio explained. I realized the first man who entered was Enzo, and the second was Dante.

Antonio then gestured to the others. "And these two are Matteo and Salvatore. They're also twins, though Matteo is older than Salvatore by a few minutes."

I studied them, trying to process this information.

"Father, who are they?" Enzo asked, his gaze sweeping over me. I ducked my head instinctively.

Salvatore let out a derisive laugh. "They're the outsiders Father has chosen."

My mother gasped beside me.

"Salvatore!" Antonio's voice boomed in warning.

Matteo pointed at me, his eyes filled with angry tears. "It's true. This woman is replacing our mother, and that girl is the stepsister Father wants us to protect and look after. The first thing she did was accuse Salvatore of harassing her. Isn't that funny? She got Father to discipline Salvatore."

I shrank further into the sofa. They were all staring at me now. Silent people are always the most dangerous, I thought to myself, noticing how Dante hadn't spoken a single word yet.

"I've told you before," Antonio said firmly. "I have moved on from your mother. She is my everything now, and you all must respect that. I won't force you, though, so any of you who wishes to live with your mother instead is welcome to pack your bags and leave."

All four sons stood up, seemingly ready to take him up on the offer.

Antonio added, "And forget about the opportunity to take over the family business and territories."

With identical speed, all four sat back down. I realized they were the future heirs to the north, south, east, and west regions of whatever business Antonio controlled. Money talked.

"Good," Antonio nodded, satisfied. "We must prepare for a family dinner tonight. Beatrice, your brothers are all talented and powerful. You'll enjoy being around them."

The brothers headed upstairs, their hushed voices fading as they ascended. I couldn't help but wonder what they might be plotting against me.

Mom and I waited in the kitchen before dinner. After a quick shower in the guest room, I stood in the corner like a frightened kitten. A fragment of childhood memory flashed through my mind - flames, screaming, someone pulling me away - but it disappeared as quickly as it came, leaving me disoriented and confused.

At dinner, Antonio introduced his sons more thoroughly. "Dante, my firstborn, handles my business operations. He's only twenty, but he knows what he's doing." Dante remained silent, his fingers tapping lightly on his family ring.

"Enzo, also twenty, has different interests than his brother. He occasionally handles business, but he mainly trains our members. He ensures family discipline." Enzo's expression remained unchanged, barely touching the Italian appetizer on his plate.

"Salvatore is the youngest of the twins. He's eighteen and manages part of our Brooklyn operations."

"Matteo attends the same school as you two. He's eighteen but older than Salvatore by a few minutes and manages another part of our Brooklyn operations." Matteo interrupted his father: "Just say it. I have some unconventional methods that irritate Father."

“Anyway,” Antonio ignored his comment, but I and my mother shared a look.

"The reason I want you all to get along," Antonio continued, "is that as the family leader, I've been called to handle some urgent matters in the western region. Sofia and I leave tomorrow morning. During our absence, I expect you all to take care of your stepsister Beatrice."

Mom and I were both shocked by this announcement. My fork clattered against my plate.

"But she's fragile," Mom protested, worry evident in her voice. "She's never been away from me. She has nightmares sometimes; I need to be there for her."

The brothers exchanged glances when they heard Sofia didn't trust them with me. A silent communication passed between them that made my stomach knot with dread.

"It's fine, Mom!" Salvatore spoke up with false enthusiasm. "We promise to take good care of her. Now that we know she's our stepsister, we'll keep her safe." The way Salvatore looked at me sent chills down my spine.

"And Enzo can train her," Antonio suggested.

I started coughing at these arrangements, worried about sleeping without Mom nearby, afraid I'd dream again of those vague flames and screams that sometimes haunted me at night.

Antonio looked pleased with himself and signaled for Sofia to follow him out. She gave me a pained look before leaving, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't.

Awkwardly, I sat with my new stepbrothers, feeling like I'd been thrown to the wolves.

"You didn't tell your mother about the whole thing with Franco, did you?" Salvatore asked with a smug grin. He knew Mom didn't know, and that she would be angry about me secretly seeing Franco.

I looked around and found all my stepbrothers watching me.

"School's going to be fun now," Salvatore said threateningly.

He leaned closer and added, "Make sure you don't get disciplined by your daddy." He pointed at himself.