Page 14 of Vita Mia

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MIABELLA TURNED FROMthe closet just as the key card was used to open her door. She tried to seem normal. In walked her sister Eve. Behind her were the traitors Lola and Jewel. Both of them looked fearful and guilty. What had they told Eve?

“Where is he!” Eve said and dropped her hand to her hip.

“Who?”

Eve narrowed her blue eyes on MiaBella. Her auburn hair flowed past her shoulders and she wore a long evening gown that was backless. On her left hand was her jeweled glove that she was never seen without.

“Lola and Jewel told me about the bet,” Eve said in a voice too calm and extra lethal.

“What bet?” MiaBella said to them. The girls lowered their gaze. Eve walked over to her and MiaBella took a step back. She loved Eve. She admired and worshipped her. But she hated the way Eve controlled her. She was babied by Eve and her mother and raised with an iron fist by her brothers. If they thought she’d come to the party to throw away her virginity like yesterday’s trash, they would be furious. Especially since Gino had already picked out a husband for her.

“Tell me the truth? Are you stupid enough to give away something so precious to a stranger? An American?” Eve spat the word with distaste.

“No Eve. I thought about it, but I didn’t do it.”

“Why would you even think about it Mia?” Eve asked.

“Because I’m tired of you guys treating me like a kid. Lola and Jewel have lives here in America. I don’t. Even in school, I couldn’t do anything without constantly being shadowed by Gino’s army of hitmen. It’s not fair.”

“Lola and Jewel live here; you belong to us.”

“I’m twenty! Stop acting like you’re the boss of me!” MiaBella turned away but Eve caught her by the arm and made her face her.

“Where is he?” Eve asked.

“Yes! I did it! So what!” MiaBella confessed. “He’s gone!”

Eve sighed. “Then you proved you aren’t an adult. Just a petulant child too spoiled to know her own worth. Here’s a lesson little sister, what’s between your legs is the treasure, what’s between your ears is the tool to help you know when to unlock it. If he can’t out think you, out dream you, out believe in you he should never be able to own you. And giving him your virginity you gave away all of your power.”

“I don’t want to get married.” MiaBella said. “Gino is not Papa—“

“Shut up speaking about Papa!”

MiaBella silenced.

“Where is he?”

“I told you he’s not here,” MiaBella said weakly.

Eve lifted MiaBella’s chin to look into her eyes. “So he’s walking around the island without a shirt,cara?”

Eve looked down at the shirt she had on. MiaBella’s heart began to race. Eve she could handle. Eve always did her best to protect her. But nothing could save her or Ryder for what happened next. Gianni walked into the room.

MiaBella gasped at the sight of him. Her brother wore a dark tuxedo that was tailored to his tall frame. The diamond tiepin sparkled against his tie. His skin was a deep umber brown from his life in the sun and his blue eyes clear like crystals. Earlier this year he graced the cover of GQ magazine as the newest up and coming mogul record producer on the hip-hop scene. He had talent in America, Italy and the UK signed to him. Out of all her brothers Gianni, though smooth and charming, had the worse temper. Eve and MiaBella both knew his appearance meant one of his security men had to have tipped him off.

Eve stepped in front of MiaBella and shielded her from Gianni’s scrutiny. She dropped her hands to her hips and stared at him. “What are you doing in here?”

“What is she wearing?” Gianni asked.

“Get out. This is her room. Let me handle her.”

Gianni glanced to Lola and then Jewel. The girls would be of no help to MiaBella. But Eve was the best defense. Gianni feared no one, but Eve. Though her brothers dismissed MiaBella there was a level of respect Eve commanded amongst her siblings that always won out. She prayed silently that Eve would stay on her side. Gianni smiled at Eve and then he snapped his fingers. In walked his men. They began to turn the room upside down in search of Ryder.

“Please Eve,” MiaBella whispered. “He’ll kill him. Please help us.”

“That’s enough! No one is here—“ Eve said.

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