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She could face the consequences of the truth later, but for now, she needed honesty. The jovial brother she used to know melted away into an imposing man.
“Did you know what Papà and Luca planned to do with me? Did you help them set it up?” she asked again.
“It’s more complicated than that. I was facing possible life in prison for murder. It was supposed to be a simple job. Set fire to a warehouse owned by a family corporation that refused to continue paying protection. The insurance collection would’ve lined our pockets, and the protection fee would’ve doubled after rebuilding.”
Alessandra’s jaw dropped at Marcello’s cold recount.
“Don’t act so scandalized, Alessandra. You know this life! We all have our part to play. I know my place, but you refuse to learn yours. Why do you keep fighting when there’s nothing left to fight for?”
“You can’t mean that! You’re my brother. How could you say such a thing? We’ve always supported each other.”
“No, I’m a Russo. It’s about fucking time you start acting like you’re one too. You should’ve learned your lesson years ago but had to be taught the hard way.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
He didn’t have to say anything else, but she needed to hear the truth.
“I was the one who told Papà of your plans to elope.”
Alessandra flew at her brother in a blind rage. She slapped him and beat at his chest with her fists. “You let our father sell me like a whore! How could you?”
He grabbed her wrists and attempted to shake sense into her.
“If it wasn’t Drake Walker, it would’ve been some other man. You should consider yourself lucky. A woman’s place is to serve her family through marriage.”
She yanked free of his grasp and slapped him as hard as she could. “You son of a bitch! I hate you!”
“I’m sorry.”
Sorry? Sorry didn’t make up for her fragile illusions crumbling down around her. Alessandra’s world spiraled as she ran away, blinded by her tears. Somehow she managed to make her way back to the penthouse because she had nowhere else to go and crawled into bed.
She was trapped with nowhere to run, no place to call home, and no one to trust. She’d suffered years of abuse and neglect because her father blamed her for her mother’s death. His hatred caused the scars on her back that now throbbed painfully with every heartbeat.
Finding love with Luca in the bleakness of her home was a gift. But now she knew it wasn’t just her father who’d torn them apart, but her brother, someone she and Luca had relied on and confided in.
When Alessandra was forced to abort the baby Luca left her with, Marcello was the one who offered to escort her to the clinic. What a fool she was, thinking he was supporting her. He was likely there to make sure she went through with the procedure.
Drake was her second chance at love and a future that could finally be her own. But he proved to be just another man who made empty promises, fed her just enough to keep her in line, used her, and broke her heart into a million pieces.
Alessandra pulled the blanket over her head. The crushing emotional weight of the past few days left her with a migraine. She welcomed the physical pain to bury her heartache.
But it wasn’t just a headache. Her stomach flipped, threatening to force her to spill its contents. Alessandra’s heart began pounding furiously in her throat. She clawed at her clothes, which were suddenly so constricting, making it hard to breathe. The walls of her cage were ever-shrinking, locking her in.
Her whole body began shaking as sweat beads broke across her forehead. Only one thought crept into her mind—she needed Drake. She cried out as her vision blurred, on the verge of losing consciousness.
The door burst open, and Drake scooped her up like a white knight. She shook and cried in his arms.
“I… can’t… breathe…”
“Shh! You’re having a panic attack, amore mio. Try to take some deep breaths and calm down. I’m here now. I’m sorry for everything. Let me take care of you.”
She wanted to push him away but didn’t have the strength. Physical and emotional exhaustion left her aching all over. He crawled into bed behind her, pulled her body against his, and spooned her.
The problems between her and Drake couldn’t be ignored. But for tonight, his arms were the comfort she needed.
***
Chapter Thirty-Two
