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“You want to call your sister.” Her face softens. With her being the only one talking to me, I have told her a lot about my sister. I miss her so much. I also worry about what’s happening at home with her being left alone to deal with my father and brother. I’ve always been there to shield her from their shit. Being here makes me feel helpless when it comes to protecting her.
“So badly.” If only to check on her.
“I’ll see what I can do if you come down and eat.”
“Deal!” I rush over and hug her. “Thank you.”
“I haven’t done it yet. I’ll have to speak to Matteo.”
“Is he, ah, here?” I hate myself for asking.
“I’m not sure.”
“Okay, I’ll change.”
“See you downstairs.”
I dig through my boxes. They are still all by the door. I refuse to put them away into his closet. When I step out of the bedroom, I’m surprised not to see Sal there. There is a man I don’t recognize. He is tall but thin. Tattoos run up both of his arms.
“Hi.” I can’t help but say it even though I know he will ignore me. It feels rude not to greet people when you come into contact. He gives me a chin nod. Thankfully he doesn’t follow me. I pause when I get downstairs, hearing the sound of male voices. I’m shamelessly checking to see if it’s Matteo, but it's not. I shouldn’t keep listening. I know better, but then I hear my name.
“He’s keeping her? A fuckin’ O’Haire.”
“What better way to stick it to the O’Haires than fucking one of their daughters?”
My stomach turns. In fairness, he hasn’t had sex with me since he found out I am one of them.
“You think he’ll marry her?”
“Naw, he said he wasn’t.” I don’t know why that comment hits me as hard as it does.
“So, she’ll be a mistress. I could get down with that. You think her cunt hair matches that red hair she’s got?”
I can’t stand to hear any more of their locker room talk, and I really don’t want to get caught listening. I’m pretty sure one of them is the guy that’s normally at the front door. I have no clue who the other is.
Tears burn in my eyes. I choke them down, making my way toward the kitchen. As much as it hurts, I need that reminder. Matteo is an asshole.
“Are you okay?” Emma asks when I enter the kitchen.
“Fine,” I lie.
“Sit,” Emma orders. She has a bowl of pasta already waiting. I drop down into the chair. I should try to eat even if I want to throw up. “Tell me what’s going on.”
“What’s going on is I’m stuck in this house. Held against my will. With no communication with my sister.” I shouldn’t sound so flippant toward Emma. She’s shown me nothing but kindness.
“And you want to go home?”
“I want my sister. I don’t care about my home.” If you can call it that. “I don’t understand why I have to stay here. No one wants me here.”
“Right.” Emma laughs. “Matteo wants you here.”
“I don’t know why. The only time he comes near me, it’s for—” My cheeks warm. I’m not used to openly talking about such topics.
“Sex?”
“Which he can get anywhere.” Emma laughs again. I push the pasta around my plate.
“Honey, that man is obsessed with you.”
