Page 10 of Sin of Innocence

“Don’t tell me,” I breathed.

“I let it go because I quickly assumed what the rest of the world did, she got tired of her life so she ran away. Then, my friend calls me and tells me that he went to visit Liam, and guess who’s bag he found there? Stephanie’s,” he informed me.

I was squeezing my phone so tight to the point my knuckles were turning white. All I could see was fire as I stared out at the books on my shelves. There was this sudden urge to strike and kill, and I wasn’t too sure if I wanted to suppress it.

“You are sure it was Stephanie’s?” I asked.

“I am sure because that same friend told me everything was splayed out around it. Her ID, her car keys,everything. I guess Liam caught him staring because he then picked it up and muttered something about a one-night stand. It could be anything, but I don’t know. It is too fishy to be nothing. Dante told me about your girl, so I thought you should know. Just watch out for her,” Luca answered.

“I’ll call you back later. Send my love to Alessandro,” I spoke just before hanging up the phone.

I wished there was a way to get a hold of Christina. There was always the option of showing up at her house, but I wasn’t even sure she would be home.

“Who was that?” Christina’s voice rang from the other side of my office. I let out a loud breath of relief. She came just in time to soothe my worries.

My eyes darted over to the beautiful woman dressed in a long black jacket that practically reached her feet. She still made it look daringly sexy.

“My brother. What are you doing here?” I questioned. My enthusiasm didn’t bother to make its appearance in my tone. I was so glad to see her, but my wariness just wouldn’t ease. The thought of what Liam was planning to do to her was enough to strip me of any joy.

“You have a brother?” she asked, her brow rising slightly.

I watched her heatedly as she began to walk over to me. Her body swayed with her every step, making her look all the more majestic. It took everything in me not to grab her and throw her on my desk.

“I have four.”

“No sister?” she wondered.

I smirked once she neared my desk, my eyes stopping to look at the cleavage of her breast. She knew exactly what she was doing to my body when she leaned over and presented me with an even better view.

“No, all boys,” I answered her, licking my lips as I did.

“Tell me about them.”

My gaze trailed up to her eyes where I found curiosity gazing right back at me. Her head held a slight tilt as she peered deep into my eyes as if she could see all the secrets hidden beneath them.

I let out a loud exhale. “Samuele, my eldest brother, he is nice when he chooses to be. He got married at my dad’s request and took over my father’s billion-dollar corporation after he passed away. Ever since then, I only speak to him on occasion.

“Luca, my younger brother,” I muttered, huffing out a sigh. "He was always so different. Luca felt like the world was against him, and maybe that was why he turned out to live such a dangerous life. I must say, though, he loves his family and he would do anything for me and my other brothers as well as his son," a smile intruded my features at the thought of the adorable child, "little Alessandro."

“Lastly, the twins, my youngest brothers, Dante and Dominic. My mother adopted them when they were six years old. Dante was mute until he was thirteen, but he was so damn smart—still is. On the other hand, Dominic always talked, he rarely shut up. They really helped balance each other out. The both of them went through something traumatic when they were younger that they still never mention." A distasteful feeling tingled at my tongue. "And now I don't think they can ever stay away from each other because of it."

She was looking at me longingly. There was a small smile playing tauntingly on her lips. I wondered what was going through that beautiful head of hers.

“I’ve never seen you so…passionatebefore,” she pointed out.

I reached for her hand, where she calmly slipped her palm into mine. I led her around my desk and over to me.

“You should see me when I talk about you,” I muttered.

There was a giggle that sounded through her as a big smile spread across her lips.

“Tell me about your parents,” she requested.

“There’s not much to tell. My dad was always busy. My mom hated her life. They both passed away when I turned twenty-three. One from old age, and soon after that death, the other from suicide. I guess my mom just couldn’t handle life without my dad,” I responded, without bothering to look into her eyes. She was going to see me differently. I was going to be the man to feel sorry for, and it was the last thing I wanted.

“That’s why you do all that you do for my dad, right? You don’t want him to feel like how your mom felt?” she curiously drew out.

“No, I just didn’t wantyouto feel how I felt.”

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