Page 57 of Family Secrets

“What’s too dangerous? You said it yourself, I sacrifice for others. Besides, no one but you and my father know who I am, and neither of you are going to give up that information.”

Gino studied Elizabeth’s face, her determination and defiant nature something she inherited from Emilio. He was fighting a battle he had no chance of winning. “Fine, but we do this my way.”

* * *

Two hours later,Elizabeth stood behind her desk, staring at the pile of pearls and diamonds Lisa laid before her with excitement bubbling out of every pore.

“Isn’t it to die for?” Lisa squealed with delight, her eyes wide and hands clasped beneath her chin, bouncing on the balls of her feet despite the six-inch heels she wore.

“What in the world is it?”

Snatching the strand off the desk, “It’s panties, you idiot.” Lisa held them up in the air between them.

Studying the design, “Why in the world would you want diamonds on your crotch and pearls running up your butt?”

Huffing, Lisa lowered the panties. “When you wear these, your natural walk creates friction against your clit, making you horny as fuck. The pearls rub your asshole, helping to loosen you up back there.”

“Why would you want your…” Elizabeth hesitated, not sure she wanted the answer. “Butt loosened up?”

Pocketing the panties, “So you’re ready when the guy your fucking wants to stick his dick in your ass.”

Trying to hide her surprise, Elizabeth’s butt cheeks clenched. While she wasn’t ignorant on that form of sex, she wasn’t going to beg Gino for it either.

“The guy I’m dating,” Lisa leaned closer to Elizabeth, surveying the office for listening ears. “Loves to watch me get myself off with the pearls.”

Ignoring the latter part of her admission, “Guy? What guy? Do I know him?”

Leaning back, “Can’t tell you. He’s in a relationship with another girl and is trying to dump her, but her family is making it tough for him.”

Sensing the hurt in her friend’s voice, Elizabeth opened her arms, pulling Lisa into a tight hug. “I’m sorry. Maybe he’ll find a way to get rid of her.”

Nodding into her shoulder, Lisa pulled back with unshed tears in her eyes. “From your lips to God’s ears.”

For the remainderof the morning, Elizabeth emptied one box after another, shredding old documents and scanning others until the closet in the hall was empty.

As the smell of beef and something sweet floated into the room, Sully came through the door. His suit was disheveled and his normally spiked hair lay limp against his forehead.

Crossing the room to Lisa’s desk, “Emilio Vittorio was shot last night.”

“Are you fucking kidding?”

“Gino said they pulled three bullets out of his chest and one from his leg. He survived the surgery, but they had to take him back a little while ago. Some shit about bleeding on the inside or some shit.”

Lisa leaned back in her chair, the sound of her jewelry jingling catching Elizabeth’s attention.

“He has this bad blood type or something…”

Looking back at her screen, Elizabeth recited the letters inside her head, AB negative as Sully stumbled to say them correctly. Not surprising, the same blood type as hers.

“They have some coming from Texas, but they aren’t sure it will get here in time.”

Elizabeth had no idea how long it took to donate blood, but she couldn’t sit back and allow her father to die. She had to get out of here, but with half a day remaining she would need a damn good excuse to leave. Standing from her chair, Elizabeth walked down the hall to the bathroom. Standing by the mirror, she heard who she believed was Cheri, cursing from the last stall.

“What the fuck good is the shot if I get my fucking period anyway?”

An idea flashed in her head. Turning to the sink, she twisted on the hot water, letting the heat sting her fingers. Laying her hands around her neck, she watched as the skin began to redden. Adding drops of water to her forehead and under her nose, she shut off the water and headed for the door, ignoring Cheri’s cries for someone to get her a fucking tampon.

Rounding the corner of her office, “Holy shit, Lizzie. Are you okay?”

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