Page 37 of Bittersweet Endings
“Carmine—”
“Be prepared,” I cut him off. “He’s already there. He never left and probably isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon. I can’t control him any more than you can control your daddy.”
Lucky let out a string of curses, but I didn’t give him the satisfaction of a response. I hung up, the weight of what was about to happen settling into my chest.
Matteo was standing across from me, his arms folded. Already waiting. Lorenzo stumbled into the room, immediately sobering at the tension.
I met his stare. “Get our men ready.”
A slow smirk tugged at Lorenzo’s lips. “Where we going?”
I slid my phone into my jacket pocket and stood. “New York.”
Chapter Eleven
OCTAVIA AGOSTINO
“What’re you wearing?” Sienna asked.
Sighing, I tried to hide my agitation. “A dress.”
“But like, what kind?”
I paused with the phone to my ear as I stared at myself. The floor-length mirror showed my newly hardened muscles and sensual black lingerie. Hanging over the edge was a sexy black and gold dress. But the question burned.
“I dressed myself,” I said, unsure how else to tell her that those days of looking like Daddy’s little princess were done.
There was a knock at my door, and before I could tell Sienna to hold on, it opened. Rocco gave me an apologetic look, covering his eyes as the freight train that was my sister darted inside.
“Yes!” She pulled the dress off the mirror to examine it. “Oh, sissy. This is good. It’ll look perfect against mine.” She lifted her choice into the air, a tad less revealing but it was black and silver. “Now the hair and makeup.” She snapped her fingers and three women with cases rolled in.
“What’re you doing?” I asked her.
Once upon a time, I would’ve screamed and cried at the thought of people seeing my scars. Now I was staring back at my sister while three strangers gawked at me in nothing but my lingerie. Sienna glanced at them and paled.
For once, I didn’t cover myself. I stood tall and let her take them in. They were proof I was stronger than everyone gave me credit for.
“I’m making you forget who you were. Helping you embrace who you are… now. In the best way I know how to bond.” She hugged me, and I gave her an honest squeeze in return. “Now, this event is highly publicized… so let’s make him regret letting you go.”
A whirlwind of curlers, makeup, and a whole show twirled around us. Our conversation was no longer forced or filled with uncomfortable angst. We were back to being sisters enjoying the hell out ofustime. Even if it was being painted and poked to perfection.
Then, suddenly, my sister was dressed and running out the door to meet Apollo.
I eyed myself in the mirror. And the truth was, I loved what I saw. My curls were bigger and wild but glossed and styled loose down my back. My blue eyes were on fire and shielded by thick liner and a bright-red lip. The dress hugged me perfectly at the hip and was low in the bust. A hint of taste but sexy as fuck.
Rocco said nothing when I stepped into the hall. He did give me a long once-over, then shook his head. A small smirk playing on his lips.
The ride over was nerve racking, and I had to swallow back my anxiety as we pulled up. Paparazzi were everywhere anddroves of the rich and famous walked up to smile to them. The line of cars was long, and by the time it was our turn to exit, I wanted to curl up and die.
“Remember what I said.” Rocco turned in his seat to look at me. “Don’t drop your guard.”
I smiled at him before drawing in a deep breath.
“Good girl.” He got out and opened the door.
I held my head high as I ignored the flashing of cameras. I opted to skip the line for the photos in front of the large benefit board. However, that didn’t stop reporters from shouting at me as I headed inside.
Rocco remained at my side, not my back, like I’d asked. He was the solid presence I needed to keep breathing, to keep moving forward. The room was packed with money and designed perfectly. Once again, I was in awe of all that my mother could do.
