Page 30 of Temptation
“You know that’s the reasonable thing to do,” he replies, his tone softening slightly.
I sigh deeply, struggling to accept that he is right. The idea of continuously exposing my children to danger is unbearable. “Fine, but I will be informed of every single piece of information you obtain,” I say, my voice laced with determination.
The fact that I will be the one who ends the son of a bitch responsible doesn’t even need to be voiced.
Seventeen
Sienna
It’s been two hours past their usual bedtime when I finally manage to have both twins tucked into bed, sound asleep. The relief I feel is palpable.
Finally.
The kids were utterly perplexed as to why they weren’t allowed to play outside on such a beautiful spring day. They pouted and peppered me with questions I was unable to answer, unable to wrap their heads around the sudden change in routine.
But neither could I.
No explanations were given. It was as if a shroud of secrecy and urgency had descended upon the household.
When Fabrizio burst in earlier, his eyes wide with panic, I knew something serious had happened. He barely stayed long enough to catch his breath before disappearing again, leaving us all in a state of confusion.
Oliver had been the one to break the news that our plans for the rest of the day were canceled. I did my best to stay upbeat, immersing the kids in every fun activity I could think of to distract them from the strange tension that had settled over the house.
By the time I retreat to my room, exhaustion weighs heavily on my shoulders. But my mind is too restless to consider sleep. I walk over to the large window that overlooks the beautifully manicured garden surrounding Fabrizio’s sprawling estate. Pressing my forehead against the cool glass, I peer into the encroaching darkness.
The extra guards who had patrolled the grounds all afternoon are no longer visible, but the memory of their presence leaves a disturbing tingle in my chest.
What on earth is going on? What had happened before Fabrizio came back home?
As my eyes dart from one shadowy tree to another, an unsettling feeling creeps over me, as if unseen eyes are watching my every move. My body tenses involuntarily when the door creaks open behind me; I don’t need to turn around to know it’s Fabrizio.
The room remains heavy with silence for a long moment. I stay rooted to my spot, folding my arms tightly across my chest, my nails digging into my skin as I continue to stare into the void outside.
Fabrizio moves closer, situating himself on the small coffee table near the window.
“Sit,” he commands softly.
I glance in his direction, seeing him gesture towards the plush chair facing him. Reluctantly, I turn my body towards him, pressing my arms tighter against my chest as I lean back against the window.
“Did I do something wrong?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper, not moving from my position.
“No, of course not,” he replies, his tone surprisingly gentle but still firm. “I just wanted to let you know that we will be leaving the city for a while.”
“Why?” I ask, my concern growing.
“Because someone is after my children,” he says, his voice cracking with emotion. “And it seems they’re not even safe here. So, we—I…” he pauses, taking a deep breath to steady himself. “I will not sit back and watch as my children are being targeted. They are everything I have, and I will not let anything happen to them. This means we are leaving, and I am taking them somewhere safe—somewhere my enemies won’t get to them.”
“Does this mean you’re letting me go?” It’s the first question that bursts from my lips, driven by a mix of fear and hope.
“No,” he answers immediately, his tone firm and resolute.
“But—”
“You’re coming with us,” Fabrizio states with finality.
“Why?” I ask, my voice trembling.
“Because we—” he pauses again, clearing his throat as if to gather his thoughts. “The children need you. I can’t predict how long it will take until this… matter is resolved. I want the twins to have as much normalcy as possible.” He looks directly at me. “And you are… their most significant sense of normality at the moment.” As I gaze into his face, I see all the layers of his complex personality stripped away. Before me sits a loving father, terrified for his children’s safety, desperate to protect them at all costs.
