Chapter Four

[AMELIA'S POV]

“Amy!" Elsie yells the moment she spots me. The nurse in charge of her has taken her out of her room for a stroll. The doctor had said she needs to exercise more.

She runs to me and throws her arms around me in a hug. “You look good."

I smile. “I got a new well paying job." I don't know how to explain to her that I'm marrying a man four decades older than me just to keep her in the hospital and settle Mom's insane gambling debts. She won't just be mad, she'll feel guilty and blame herself.

Her expression falls. “I just wish I could get better soon, so you won't have to work this hard."

I shake my head and pull her to sit on one of the nearby benches. “Tell me, how have you been? Did Mom visit you?"

She makes an annoyed face. “She can't even get her head out of her drugs long enough to breathe, talk less of visiting me."

Ideal mom for you.

I know it's not appropriate, but I sometimes wish she had died that night and not dad. If our father were alive, I won't have to quit college and start selling my body to men who can't even maintain a fucking erection for five damn minutes.

“Anyways," she begins, giving me a wink. “Jonah came by earlier today."

Jonah.

The name has me thinking back to earlier occurrences. The fact that the Romano brothers made it clear that they want me, despite the fact that I'm their uncle's fianceè is scary to say the least.

Normally, I love men who know what they want and go for it without any hesitation. But these aren't just men.

No, they're far from that!

They are the Romano brothers. They run the fucking New York faction of the Cosa Nostra. They have more blood on their hands than a priest has confessions in his head.

There's no way I'll be involved with them. It's going to be walking wide eyed into a Lions den. One which I'm not sure any miracle could bring me back from.

I shake my head to get them off my mind and focus on Elsie. Once the two hours are up it's going to be till Saturday.

“Hey, Ellie!" Trevor says walking up to us with two bags of take out and a large cup of ice cream. He hands a take out bag to Elsie and the ice cream to me.

Apart from Elsie and that asshole Rafè, he's the only other person who's aware of my eating disorders. I'm grateful he's kept his mouth shut willingly.

“Trevor Romano bringing takeout for my sick sister? Did I miss something along the lines?" I tease with a smile and Elsie blushes.

Oh! Maybe there's actually something going on.

“Trev and I are just friends. He umm.. sometimes visits and keeps me company.” Elsie explains, the blush not fading.

I give her a knowing smile. " I've known Trevor for more than a few months and he's never, like, NEVER ordered takeout for me.”

“That's cos you're one insufferable bitch," he says and I give him a punch. He doubles over with laughter and I must admit, he's attractive when he's not being a total asshole.

Two hours pass in a blur of discussion and laughter. Elsie fills me in on how her treatment's coming along and how the doctor scheduled her for surgery next week. Seeing her so full of energy and life when two months ago, she could barely sit up makes marrying Alberto worth it.

I push back the tears and smile as I bid her goodbye. “See you next week, honey."

" Take care and don't overwork yourself. You won't be able to look after me if you're in a hospital bed,” she says with a stern look that makes me laugh.

Totally mother material.

We say one final goodbye before Trevor and I head to the car. The ride is silent till I notice him taking a different turn from the usual lane. I shoot him a confused look.

“I have some business to deal with at Illusions. You are coming with me, and better behave yourself." The stern tone of his voice reminds me of the last time he took me with him to a business meeting. I stifle a laugh recalling the incident. " Listen here, Milly, pull another stunt like last time and you'll be stuck in my father's house forever.”

I scowl. Of course he'll threaten me like that.

Not like Alberto restricts me from going where I want. He just won't let me step out without my personal guard AKA Trevor Romano. Trevor doesn't fancy being my babysitter though, not like I loved having him following me around like a lost puppy.

I give him the fakest smile on my list of fake smiles. “I won't do anything stupid I promise. Just chill."

“Better not, else I will kill you before my father gets wind of it."

His threats don't faze me. He's too scared of his father to even raise his voice at me.

Without another word he drives off to Illusion, a high– end mafia lair in Manhattan. The place screams money, power and wealth before you even step inside.

Trevor parks the car and we both get down. We step into the club and the scent of alcohol, cigars and drugs hit me instantly.

I am used to this kind of place, so it doesn't bother me much. Trevor heads towards a group of men who are drunk beyond measure and surrounded by women.

“Trevor Romano!" One of them, a pot bellied man I recognize as Hulio DuPont calls out. “Babysitting daddy's new toy are we?"

I clench my fists, reigning the anger inside of me. He's the reason I started a fight the last time I was here. Trevor had to give me an earful throughout the ride back.

So rather than punch him like I really wanted, I plaster a fake smile. “Correction Mr DuPont, I'm Alberto's fianceè and not his toy. I'd appreciate it if you use proper language when addressing me."

“Olay, that's enough," Trevor interrupts. “Please let's focus on why we're here, Mr DuPont."

He pulls out a chair for me and I shake my head. “I’ll walk around for a bit and catch up with some of my old friends.”

He nods, giving me a warning look that says, "Don't do anything stupid.”

I nod and turn around, walking off. But before finding my friends, I decide to head to the toilet first. I enter the bathroom and step into one of the empty stalls.

When I'm done with my business, I step out and head to the sink to wash my hands.

I freeze.

There in familiar handwriting is a paper stuck to the mirror. In what seems like dried blood are the words;

“I'm back, baby."