Page 190 of Bride By Initiation

"Tell me more about my father."

She licks her lips and continues. "Your father didn't believe an Abruzzo could be good. And it's not his fault. The killing during that time was excessive. The wars were never-ending. And the Abruzzos were doing reprehensible things to women and children."

"I've heard stories," I admit.

"You don't know the half of it," she declares. "Your father witnessed much of it. He only became a spy for the Marino family and infiltrated the Abruzzos because of his sister."

My heart beats faster. "Valentina's mom?"

"Yes. She fell in love with Marcello. Neither of them knew who the other was when they met. It just happened. They were star-crossed lovers and never meant to be together. They hid for a while."

My heart hurts, thinking of Valentina's parents, in love but being scared to show the world.

Sylvia continues, "Your father and the rest of your family were opposed to their relationship. But your aunt's love for Marcello and his for her was too strong. They ran away together and got married, and that's when your father infiltrated the Abruzzos."

"Marcello's family was okay with them being married?" I question.

Sylvia's voice turns sharp. "No. Marcello knew he could never tell them what blood ran through Aurora's veins. When your fatherinfiltrated the Abruzzos, he was accepted as her brother, and no one was the wiser."

I blurt out, "That's a big secret to keep."

Sylvia nods. "And a dangerous one."

My stomach flips.

"Your father did it to protect her, and he tried to get her to leave many times, but she wouldn't. And Marcello loved Aurora so much, he allowed your father to spy on his family."

I blink hard, feeling bad for everybody involved, especially Valentina.

Sylvia tilts her head, watching my reaction, then states, "Valentina was born, and your father loved her. I'm sure he still does. But he couldn't get past Marcello being an Abruzzo."

"The Abruzzos do horrible things," I assert.

"Yes, they do. But Marcello wasn't like them. He didn't agree with human trafficking or bloodshed. He told your father about The Underworld. He wanted to solidify a better future for Valentina. But your father didn't believe that the Abruzzos could change. He didn't understand that Marcello wasn't anything like his brothers or other family members."

I ask, "He continued to keep my father's secret?"

Sylvia uncrosses and recrosses her legs. "He did. He never told the Abruzzos. After Sean Sr.'s death, Marcello and Aurora ended up fleeing to Italy with Valentina. They disappeared. Your father could never find them, and then it was too late. Marcello's brother, Salvatore, killed them during an Underworld ritual and took Valentina to raise as his own. She was sixteen at the time."

My insides quiver, and my heart hurts. "She didn't tell me that happened."

Anger infuses Sylvia's tone when she says, "Salvatore sits at the table. He's one of the most powerful Omni. Valentina was old enough to realize she had to play the game, but she has never forgiven him. She had to accept him as her new father figure, or she would have been thrown into a brothel."

Horror fills me.

"Your father only sees Valentina as being under Salvatore's wing; that she is his protégé. He doesn't know Salvatore killed Marcello and Aurora. He only knows that his sister married the enemy. Now, thanks to you, he knows she's dead."

Guilt for being the bearer of pain for my father assaults me.

Sylvia continues, "Luca's intentions are pure. He only wants to protect you."

"But now he knows that Valentina's alive. We can tell him?—"

"You cannot disclose The Underworld's business to any outsider," Sylvia snaps.

"But she doesn't deserve to be alone!" I protest.

Sylvia's expression softens. "That's true. But Valentina's not on her own. She now has you. And I can't blame your father for not changing his mind; however, he can't know about The Underworld. So as much as you want to be angry with him, you need to make peace. If you don't, it will eat at you and, at some point, influence your decisions at the table."

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