Chapter Seven

     Nobody moved as I watched them in fear. Nino motioned at Zoro. 

     Zoro bowed his head and disappeared behind the door. 

     "I'm not going along with this nonsense. I don't care what you say." I said in my cracked voice and turned to leave. 

     My mother blocked my path. She wasn't exactly my mother. How could they do this to me? I loved them so much. I swallowed hard as I fought against the tears. 

     "My baby!" She lifted her hand and I instinctively stepped back. I had no doubt about her love for me. I wasn't in the mood to hear anything. "We're sorry." Her voice cracked. Tears ran down my cheeks. I hated to see her in tears, vulnerable. Sadly, I was the reason behind her tears. "Please, agree to this wedding. The Bianchi family has always treated us well. I'll explain everything later. I promise." She said, her eyes pleading, holding hope.

      Did they bring me up to pay off their debts? I shook my head. I would never agree to do so. I took a step aside to leave. 

     She halted me by taking hold of my upper arms. "Sienna likes Angelo and he likes you. If you'll refuse the wedding..." Her lower lip began to tremble.

    "No, she likes...." I looked at Alessio. "It's another lie." I told her. 

     "I don't know about Garrett, but if you dare to take a single step out of this hall. I have to shoot one of your family members." Abruzzo chuckled, telling me. 

     My head snapped up, my heart rapidly drummed in my ears with fear. I felt goosebumps prickling my skin. No one dared to cut him off. 

     "Are you...." 

     Noah cut me off and stood next to me. "She'll agree to this engagement." He said smiling and looked at me. "Please, it would buy us some time. We can't go against them now." He muttered under his breath. 

     I trusted my brothers. I swallowed hard and dipped my chin as the first tear slithered down my cheek. I wiped it instantly.

     "See!" Noah smiled and gave me a soft reassuring pat on my back. 

     Sienna blushed as Angelo forwarded his strides. His jaw was set tight. He swiped his gaze on me, I found loneliness in his dark brown eyes at that moment. He blinked and it was gone. It was replaced with anger as his gaze landed on his father as he held out the ring for his son. 

     Angelo took the ring from the velvet case. Sienna excitedly lifted her hand to him to hold. Without taking hold of her hand, Angelo shoved the ring on her finger. There was no excitement in his eyes but only rage. He didn't spare Sienna another glance. 

     Sienna's smile dropped, but she grabbed the ring and put it on his ring finger. Her smile returned when she saw the ring. 

    Andre strode towards me, his expression was schooled, his ocean blue eyes were void of any emotions. I couldn't tell if he was furious or happy.

    My mouth flattened and my gaze flashed in Nino and Abruzzo's direction. They had forced this upon us. 

     Andre lifted his hand, displaying a simple platinum band, it was very cheap compared to Sienna's diamond ring. 

     "Can't you find something nicer? You could have told me if the money was an issue!" Niko snapped, snorting at the ring and Andre. 

     "This belongs to my mother." Andre said, shutting him up. "She can purchase whatever she likes. Money isn't a problem, Niko." Andre said in his cold tone. 

     I couldn't understand why he was giving me his mother's ring? It must be the last thing he had that belonged to his mother. A precious keepsake! Shouldn't he keep it safe or should he keep it for his loved one? I lifted my hand anyway. I would return it. I couldn't let them harm my family because of me.

     Andre held my hand gently. I wasn't expecting softness from a quiet and cold person. He slipped the band onto my ring finger. I felt nervous. His hand was bigger than mine and it felt warmer and crude against my skin. He stared at it longer, holding my hand. "It fits you perfectly." He muttered. For a second, I witnessed sadness in his eyes. 

    My lips parted as I caught sight of a small smile on his face. There was a dimple in his right cheek. It disappeared immediately and he drew his hand back. 

     Alessio held out the velvet box for me. I found myself staring at the thick, simple platinum band inside. My hand shivered as I extended my hand to take it. 

     I let out a soft exhale, ignoring all sets of eyes on me. I wanted to end this torture ASAP. Despite my anxiety, I plucked the ring and waited. He extended his hand. I shoved it on his ring finger. Applause erupted from Sienna and Senior Abruzzo. My family joined them quickly. 

      I spun to leave. "We need to talk." Garrett said intensely. Everyone began to leave. "Including her brothers." His tone turned angry. 

      I flattened my lips angrily as I looked at him. Noah and Den's parents left. I felt their gazes on me. I refused to spare them any glance. Sienna, Angelo, Abruzzo and Andre left quietly. Niko and Alessio stood behind me.

     "You four," His piercing gaze swiped over them. "You won't try anything stupid. Andre will be her husband." Nino said. 

     "She's just sixteen. Isn't it too soon?" Alessio asked, intensely

     "She needs to complete her studies first." Niko added. 

     "Please, don't fake you like me." I snapped. 

     His gaze shot at me. "You're my sister, why would I pretend to like you? I do care for you." Niko said, his eyes were slightly big. 

     "Our mother was still married to our father and alive when you were born. You're smart enough to understand him. He has no ill-will." Alessio defended him. 

     "I just don't like the idea of my father..." Niko trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck. "It came out wrongly, Evara. I mean no harm to Den's Aunt." He said.

     "Whatever!" I snapped and whirled to leave. 

     "I haven't finished talking, Evara." Nino said. 

      "I don't care, Illegitimate Father." I snapped in anger.

      His gaze blazed with anger. His lips pressed into a thin line and instantly they curled up into a small smile. He masked his expression. He slightly bent his head forward to talk to me. "Prepare yourself for this wedding, Child. And, I'm your Father and you're my daughter. Accept it." He straightened his back. 

      "Keep dreaming, illegitimate father." I said, smiling at him, despite a strong need to cry. 

     His jaw flexed. "Stubborn just like me." He chuckled. "Zoro!" He said out loud, scaring me. "Prepare my daughter's room. She's staying with us from now on." He announced.

     My eyes dilated in fear. "That's not happening." I shouted at him in dread. 

     "Amelia, your mother, she adored you. She even designed your room herself." Garrett said, softening his voice.

      "You've got to be kidding me." I watched him in disbelief. I was furious about everything. Everyone had played a part, contributing to making me feel like that.

    "Well! I have an announcement to make. Your brothers will make sure you join the party within ten minutes." He said, striding away. 

      "I'm not attending any stupid party and I'm not staying here." I told him, feeling annoyed. 

      "Your brothers will endure the punishment for that." He said. 

     My eyes dilated in fear. "What does that mean?" I asked in awe, shouting. 

     Alessio jaw locked. But he remained quiet. 

     "What the fuck!" Niko growled under his breath. 

     "It's..." Den opened his mouth but he was cut off by Nino as he stood in the doorway, shooting his cold gaze at them. 

      "Watch your language around your sister, Niko." He told them and left the hall. 

      I stomped forward and sat on the couch, irritated. "What punishment is he talking about?" I asked them, pulling my legs up to my chest and I hugged my knees. 

      "You don't need to know. Let's go." Alessio said. 

     Angrily I kicked the empty glass of Abruzzo. It shattered into pieces on the floor. It was a strange kind of satisfaction. Would that I could throw it at him! "I don't feel like going. I can't stand being around my illegitimate father and Abruzzo." I told them. 

     "Don't say this outside." Den said, shaking his head. 

     "What would they do? Make me disappear like the boy from seventh standard!" I snorted, 

      "We don't know what you're saying." Noah said with a soft frown. His expression told me he got caught. 

     "You guys are mafia. Can you make these Abruzzos disappear and convince Andre to drop this, please." I said, lifting my hand. 

     They exchanged looks but they didn't correct me. "We can't do that. It's not just us. People are connected to this marriage. You're a princess." Alessio said, sitting next to me. 

     I chuckled. "What kind of a princess am I?" I asked him with tears in my eyes. "Shouldn't I marry a prince?" I asked when they didn't reply. 

     "Believe me, Ara. Andre is a thousand times better than any so-called prince of our world." Niko said, inhaling deeply. 

     "Are you talking about yourself, Illegitimate brother?" I snapped. 

     "Can you stop calling me that?" Niko scoffed. 

      "Andre is good for you. We've checked his background." Alessio muttered. 

      "Why don't you two get married to his girls and spare me?" I asked him. 

      "You don't understand anything. Let's go." Alessio got on his feet. He offered his hand for me to take. "I'll protect my little sister at all costs." He said, smiling. 

      "There's no doubt." Den said, getting on his feet as well. Noah and Dariel were the caring brothers, they would help me there where no one else would. I didn't want their help risking themselves. I believed in doing things on my own. 

      I grabbed hold of my brother's hand and let him tug me on my feet. 

      "What did I do to earn your dislike, buttercup?" Niko snorted. 

      "You have the entire night after the party to mull over it." Noah chuckled. 

      We made our way out and headed for the party hall. 

      "That wasn't funny," Niko told Noah. 

      "You shouldn't have said that." I heard Den. 

      The voices died in the background as we entered the hall. I swallowed hard as all sets of eyes turned to me. They were watching Alessio and me with interest. I tried to pull my hand back. My brother got a strong grip. 

      "Relax, buttercup." He muttered without moving his lips. If I hadn't recognized his voice, I would have doubted that he just spoke. 

     The spotlight fell over Nino and Jenoah Abruzzo. We halted a few steps away from them. 

     "I would like to introduce my youngest child, my beloved daughter, Evara Bianchi." He announced and extended his hand, offering me to take it. 

     I froze gawking at him. Evara Bianchi! I felt a wave of anger. 

     "Go! I'll take you out to a shooting range. The target will be the poster of Jenoah Abruzzo." Alessio muttered to me, patting my back softly. 

      I blinked my eyes pulling myself out of my astonishment. Alessio shoved me forward. Nino took hold of my hand and pulled me next to him. "This is my daughter, Evara Bianchi. Everyone knows what happened eighteen years ago. I don't want anyone to mention it." His tone was cold and his gaze held warning as they swiped over the guests. It suddenly made me curious to know what would have happened. "For her safety, she has been kept away. I expect the same respect and care for my daughter." Nino continued speaking to his people. He sounded like the king of them. 

      I completely ignored looking at Angelo and my family. My eyes locked onto his ocean blue eyes. Andre was leaning against the wall, his arms folded over his chest, his eyes locked on me. I didn't know why. But I felt bad for him. We had a lot in common. 

     Nino kissed my head. I looked up at him. 

     "Jenoah Abruzzo's son, Angelo is getting married next year." Nino announced.

     When I looked back, Andre was nowhere to be seen. Everyone applauded. I didn't hear the last part of Nino's conversation. I didn't mind skipping it. Not seeing Andre around bothered me.