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I slip out of my room, leaving the most beautiful woman I’ve ever been lucky enough to get my hands on, sleeping. Unaware that she is about to be ghosted. Well, as much as someone can ghost their sister-in-law.Fuck, that makes it sound way worse.

Why did I have to give in to temptation last night?

I was feeling so wrecked from tracking Francesca down and being at the hospital with Dad and all I wanted was the respite I knew I would find in her arms. I was selfish. A complete fucking arsehole.

I’m in such a hurry to put distance between me and the angel in bed, that I forgo my usual breakfast routine and stop to grab a coffee and a protein shake on the way into the city.

The view from our offices usually centres me. The panoramic views of Sydney are breathtaking on a clear day. Strolling along the vast floor-to-ceiling windows, atop the city I love, is where I do some of my best thinking. Today, however, the bitter coffee I sip as I pace my office is nowhere near as bitter as I feel.

“Hey, G,” Matty’s gravelly voice announces his arrival and I hear him deposit himself in one of the chairs facing my desk.

“Hey, mate,” I sigh without turning around. “Peta said Dad had a good night and is already telling the doctors how to do their job.”

He chuckles softly. “Yeah, he’ll be fine…hospital staff might need counselling by the time he’s discharged though.”

I look at my watch and Matty reassures me, “Massi is on his way. I think he has Bluey with him. Shouldn’t be long.”

“I didn’t ask for Bluey,” I snap. “I need to speak with you and Massi. Fucksake, those two are attached at the hip these days.”

Unphased by my sharp tone and grumpiness, Matty shrugs.

Just a few minutes later the pair of them amble down the hallway in fits of raucous laughter. I eye them jealously thinking how nice it would be to be young, carefree, and not fuckin’ tired all the time.

“Massimo! I said 9 am! Don’t piss me about!” I bark through my open office door and the laughter stops. Sheepishly my massive littlest brother folds himself into the chair next to Matty.

“You need me, boss?” Bluey’s shaggy head pops around the door.

“No. We’ll be about half an hour. Then you can take me to the warehouse.”

The door shuts. “Well, go on then. What’s up your arse today?” Massimo is playing with fire.

Leaning on the back of my chair I hit him with a stare that would chill the Red Centre of Australia.

“Massimo,” my voice is low. “You are lucky that door is shut and it is just us here. You speak to me like that in front of others and I will have no choice but to make an example of you. I am your sister and I love you, but I am also your boss. Well, kind of. Fuck!”

He gulps and nods quickly.

“As to what’s up my arse,” I continue. “I fucked up and I need your help.”

“Did you fuck Francesca again?” Matty enquires gently.

My exhale is aggressive and I drop my head back to rest on the back of my chair with a groan.

“Yeah,” I concede.

“WHAT!” Massimo explodes. “I mean…with all due respect,sister boss… but what the fuck? She’s in love with you! This is going to mess her head up, for real.”

“I know. I know. Trust me, I’m beating myself up. I’m always in fuckin’ control. Always. But with her, I just can’t stop myself,” I’m second guessing how vulnerable I’m being in front of them, but I need help. I need them to look out for her. I have to stay away.

“This is fucked. She’s been obsessed with you since she was a kid and you’re into her…why can’t you be with her, again?” Matty asks.

“Because she has to marry our brother, for fucksake!” I snap, looking at him like he is a goddamn moron because he would have to be to forget the arranged marriage that is fucking up all our lives.

He looks thoughtful for a second and then asks, “Why?”

“Are you kidding? Do I seriously need to remind you? We need to connect the Marinos and the Rossis and show Elio is settling down. This is about stability. Even without Stefan Rossi trying to force wedges everywhere.” Frustration spills over as I have to explain the set of circumstances when he knows this all too well.

He nods. “You’re right. We need her to marry Elio, but he’s going to keep on shagging other women so why don’t you just set up an arrangement. A marriage of convenience, but she’s yours behind the scenes?”