Keeping one eye on my father and the other on the road, I take the turn toward George. He winds down the window and takes a few deep breaths of the cool air. By the time the lights of the airport come into view, the attack has passed, and his muscles are slack again.
“You should call your doctor,” I say. “You need to see him when we get home.”
He dismisses the idea with a flick of his hand. “Nothing but a waste of time.” Shooting me a look, he says, “Not a word about this to your mother.”
“You shouldn’t hide this from her.”
“What’s the point of making her worry? It’s not going to change anything.”
I clench the wheel. I both agree and disagree with that statement, but I respect his decision. It’s what I would’ve wanted if I’d been in his position.
“I’m sorry,” he says, staring through his window toward the distance where the hills swell in the moonlight.
It’s such a rare occurrence for my father to apologize that I’m not sure how to reply. All I can say is, “It’s not your fault.”
His voice hardens. “I meant that we had to leave before Sabella made her appearance.”
“I met her.”
He looks at me.
“We ran into each other by accident,” I explain. “She tried to slip into the back of the house without being noticed.”
The corners of his mouth pull down. “She doesn’t seem like a very obedient daughter.”
Feeling compelled to defend her, I say, “She was rescuing an abandoned kitten.”
He makes a noncommittal sound. “What was your impression?”
I consider my answer. “She likes me.” Surprisingly. “I think I can make her fall in love with me. It won’t be very difficult.”
“Mm.” He contemplates my answer, studying the road in the headlights of the car. “That will certainly win you her agreement to marry you, but emotions are fickle. You can’t trust love alone to seal such an important deal. From what I’ve heard, she’s close to her father. If he doesn’t consent, she may refuse to marry you for not wanting to disappoint him or evoke his disapproval. If Edwards was the only stumbling block, it would’ve been easy enough to simply get rid of him, but if he dies before you’ve taken possession of your share of the company, Ryan will inherit everything. No,” he muses. “We need Edwards to agree. We need a much stronger incentive than love.”
I hit the brakes and slow down to the speed limit as we approach the golf estate. A guard signs us in at the gates.
Drumming my fingers on the wheel, I contemplate our situation. Edwards isn’t pulling out of the deal he made only because he doesn’t want his princess to marry a lowly, filthy Russo with blood and sins on his hands. Edwards doesn’t want to share his power and fortune. He doesn’t strike me as a man who’ll give in easily. A little arm wrestling won’t be enough to sway him. No. Edwards declared war, and war requires a much more radical approach. I won’t rest until what’s been promised me is mine.
I park in front of the hotel and cut the engine. My voice is flat, my mind made up. “Leave it to me. I’ll handle Edwards.”
“We have to call a meeting with your uncles. They should be involved.”
Turning in my seat, I face my father. “Sabella is my responsibility. It’s my problem, not a family matter.”
“You’re young. There’s a lot about the business you’ve yet to learn. Edwards may look docile, but he’s shrewder and more dangerous than you think.”
I smile. “Then this is the perfect opportunity to prove my worth. You taught me. Now’s a good time to show our family you trust me.”
In the moonlight that sifts through the window, the shadows under his eyes are deep. “Fate is forcing you to take on too much, too soon. You shouldn’t have to fill my shoes when your life is only starting. Let your uncles help.”
“I’ll deal with this my way. If it doesn’t work out, we’ll involve your brothers.”
He chuckles and grips my shoulder. “There’s no question about it. You’re undoubtably my son.” His expression sobers. “Don’t underestimate Edwards. That will be a mistake.”
“Don’t worry.” I open the door and get out. “I have no intention of making mistakes.”
If Edwards thinks he’s seen the worse of what and who we are, he’s in for an unpleasant surprise. He unleashed the devil in me.
Soon enough, he’ll face that monster.
CHAPTER
FOUR
Sabella
Mattie’s voice pulls me from my revery. “Bella! What are you doing? Why aren’t you in the shower? Mom is having a nervous breakdown. And what’s in that box you’re carrying?” She shudders. “I swear I just heard something scratching inside.”
Mechanically, I look at my sister, but my heart stayed behind on the side of the house next to the trashcans. I have a frightful, terrifying feeling that’s where it’s bound to stay forever.
She frowns. “What’s with that look on your face?”
I try to school my features. “What look?”
“That goofy look.”
“Nothing.”
Narrowing her eyes, she darts to the backdoor and looks around the doorframe. When she pulls back into the scullery, her lips are pursed and her forehead pleated, making her resemble Mom more than ever.
“Come,” she says, taking my arm. “Let’s get you cleaned up.” She pulls up her nose. “At least as best as we can.”
For once, I don’t argue. I couldn’t be bothered about the outfit my mom chose for the party, but now I’m glad the dress makes me look older. It’s between burgundy and mauve, like my mom’s and Mattie’s, but two shades lighter. Delicate lace overlays a silk slip and ties with a sash around my waist. With the heels, I’ll be as tall as Mattie.
I follow my sister to my room where I build a bed for Pirate with my softest blanket while she turns the water in the shower on to run warm. Fishing my phone from my pocket, I dial the twenty-four-hour emergency veterinary clinic in George and, after describing my dilemma, order a delivery. George is a big town but still small enough for everyone to know everyone. The receptionist doesn’t argue when I tell her who I am and that my dad will settle the bill.
Reassured that milk for Pirate will arrive in twenty minutes, I give him a little water and get ready as fast as I can. My eagerness has nothing to do with the tantrum my mom is going to throw and everything with the guy who gave me the best birthday gift in the world. I want him to see me in my new dress with my hair and make-up done properly. For the first time in my life, I want to look feminine and desirable.
Doris knocks on the door with Pirate’s bottle and milk while Mattie is curling my hair. My sister utters a curse when I abandon my post in front of the mirror to mix the milk and give Pirate the bottle. He kneads my wrist with his paws as he greedily gulps down the milk until not a drop is left. The fact that his tummy is full reminds me that he’ll need a litter tray, but when I ask Mattie to call the clinic, she says a little sand from the garden in a shoebox will have to suffice because she has better things to do, such as finishing my hair.