Page 86 of Vicious Games

“I don’t know who they are,” I manage to say, finally finding my voice.

Marcello’s nostrils flare, but he doesn’t reprimand me for my ignorance. His attention shifts back to his sister, his only concern clear.

“Let’s go home,dolce angelo,” he murmurs. “You can tell me what happened after I get you out of here.” Annamaria sobs into his chest but nods.

They start walking toward the parking lot, but after a few steps, Annamaria stops, turns back to me, and says with a trembling voice, “Thank you.” Her gaze then drops to my hand, noticing the blood seeping from my busted knuckles. She pulls away from Marcello to rush to me.

“You’re hurt,” she utters, gently lifting my hand.

“It’s nothing,” I mutter. “I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not. You’re coming home with us so I can bandage your cuts. It’s the least I can do.”

“I’m okay,” I repeat, uneasy at the idea of riding in a car with—or being anywhere close to—Marcello right now.

“You’re coming, and that’s it,” Annamaria says with a fierce tone, leaving no room for argument.

For a girl who was just assaulted, she sure bounces back fast. Or maybe helping others is her way of coping with the trauma of what she just went through.

“I’m fine, Anna. I’m actually waiting for Lucky,” I protest quickly. “We have a tutoring session.”

“He can meet you at the house,” Marcello says, already pulling out his phone. He taps out a message, slipping the phone back into his pocket once he’s done. “There. Lucky knows you’re with us. Let’s go.”

“Okay,” I mumble, forcing a fake smile.

I’m in it now, whether I like it or not.

Annamaria leans into Marcello’s side, his arm draping protectively over her shoulders as they head toward the lot.

Reluctantly, I trail after them, praying Lucky shows up soon andrescues mefrom having to spend any more time than necessary with his scary-ass brother.

When we finally arrive at the Romano home, Annamaria’s first order of business is to ask their housekeeper if any of their parents are home. Lourdes informs her that their fathers are at work, and their mother is visiting their grandmother’s grave at the cemetery.

Relief floods her face at the news while I get stuck on the plural term for father. Not that I have much time to linger on that thought since Annamaria immediately pulls all her attention and focus onto me, tending to my bruised knuckles and refusing to leave my side until she is sure I am okay.

After taking care of me, Annamaria disappears upstairs to shower and change. She returns twenty minutes later and joins us in the living room, where all her siblings are now gathered, thanks to Marcello and his frantic texting.

Annamaria looks… worse for wear. Fragile. Like a broken porcelain doll that someone forgot to glue back together.

Stella crouches on the carpet in front of her, holding her hands gently and meeting her at eye level.

“Anna, you’re going to have to tell us who did this to you eventually,” Stella says firmly.

“No, I’m not,” Annamaria replies just as steadfastly, her eyes glued to the floor to avoid seeing the rage burning in her siblings’ eyes.

While Marcello still scares the hell out of me, I have to admit, after she heard what happened to her younger sister, Stella’s expression nearly made me wet myself.

“Anna,” Stella presses.

“Don’t pressure me into giving you their names because I won’t do it. They don’t matter. They’re no one of importance,” Annamaria counters, steel threading through her voice.

“The fuck they aren’t!” Lucky snaps beside me, his arm draped around my shoulders, the heat of it impossible to ignore.

“Lucky and Stella are right,bella,” Enzo says, his tone softer, coaxing. “Those boys need to be taught a lesson.”

Anna’s head snaps up, locking eyes with each of her siblings. “No,” she says, voice low and steady. “I know exactly what kind of lesson you all have in mind, and I won’t have that on my conscience. It’s bad enough that I let it happen. I refuse to be the reason the people I love have blood on their hands because of it.”

“Blood?” I ask, blinking in confusion.

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