Page 27 of Blood and Redemption

The man I used to be.

12

Rocco

“Rocco Parada.” Behind me, a familiar voice makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I don’t have to turn and look to see who has joined our chat.

Curling my fingers into fists, I try not to grit my teeth.

“I’m truly surprised to see you here. Even more so that you brought friends with you.” Santino appears, donning a vest and slacks that make him stand out. “Renato.”

Ren pulls Aurora closer to his side, not bothering to hide his protective side.

Turning toward her, I fight to keep my voice steady. Expecting to be mocked, teased, or threatened, Santino does none.

Instead, he moves his hands to his hips and sighs as he takes me in. “You look far better than the last time we spoke. Camellia will be relieved.”

Helooks relieved by the thought.

“I want to speak with her,” I tell him calmly.

I don’t want to make a fight out of this. For once, I’m tired of being the bad guy.

“If you think you can talk her out of this–” Santino begins, his smile growing tight.

“I won’t.” Looking away from him, I jerk when fingers slide around my arm in a grip.

Eliza nods at Santino, already tugging me away. “I’ll make sure he’s good. As badly as I am sure you’re looking for a reason to see her early, I’ve got this.”

Looking at Ren and Aurora, I think of asking to bring them with me, but I know that might be a bit much.

“We’ll be fine,” Ren calls behind me, using that false confidence again.

As my sister guides us back to the house, going as far as leaving Urzo behind to entertain Ren, she gives me a side glance. “Why did you come? I know you got an invite, butwhydid you come?”

Squinting ahead, my fingers twitch at my sides as I struggle to do something with my hands. “I wanted to talk to her. Make sure she—you both—weren’t being harmed.”

Eliza scoffs, her laugh humorless. “And if we were? Fewer problems for you to deal with. You could move on without us.”

I think back to the state I was in. All those nights, Ren pulled me from bars. The mornings I woke up in alleyways when he was busy.

“No—” I clear my throat because it feels like I’ve got an entire fist shoved into my throat, “—I couldn’t.”

For the first time, her mask cracks—just a sliver. Something fragile flickers in her gaze before she steels herself again. But it’s enough.

Enough to hope.

I could make this easier for myself by telling them the truth. Tell them about our mother, and what I had to do. Maybe they’d pity me over giving me their hatred. At the same time, some secrets are made to stay that way.

I’d never want my sisters to hurt the way I have. The betrayal to that extreme is enough to break someone.

Steadying my breathing, Eliza leads me up the blocked stairs. Tugging me along, I realize my steps have started to slow.

Dread fills my stomach, and sweat collects against my brow. Reaching the door, Eliza doesn’t let me enter. Not straight away.

“She’s been wanting to see you. For whatever reason, she still loves you, Rocco. When you go in there, you can’t crush her like you did before. She’s our sister, and you can’t pretend she isn’t. For once in your life, you need to look at her. Acknowledge her. After today, she won’t be a Parada, she’ll be a Bertelli. It’s not enough for her. She wants to keep ties with you. Wants peace. So for once, don’t fuck this up.”

Most of her words are hardened over, some wavering. Even when she tries to be strong, there are always cracks in her armor.

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