Page 11

11

Bonnie

I haven’t held onto my parents like this since I was a child. All my bravado and anger simply went up in smoke the second I saw my dads. The past twenty-four hours catch up to me in one heart-stuttering moment, and all I can do is sob into their embrace.

“You’re okay, pumpkin.”

I’m not okay. Not in the slightest. Everything feels overwhelming. “I…”

“Deep breaths, sweetheart. We’re here now,” Pop says. Dad wraps his longer arms around me and Pop.

“Hey, I want some love,” Kelley calls from the bed, which makes me laugh. We’ve spent the past few hours talking things through. She’s almost convinced me it’s a good idea to go along with Allegra’s plan. I apologised again for snapping at her, and then we spent a good hour trying to get a comb through her hair.

“Come here, Kels,” Pop laughs, breaking away from me and Dad to take Kelley gently in his arms. “How ya doing, kiddo?”

Kelley and I are both in our early thirties. We’re not exactly kids, but Pop always calls us that.

“Sore, but okay. I’m ready to get out of this bed. It’s my shoulder that hurts, not my legs” she huffs.

“Why don’t we go for a walk? The gardens are lovely from what I can see,” Dad says, looking out the window.

I shake my head. “We should stay here and talk. I’m so glad you’re here. Maybe you can talk the crazy blonde lady into letting us go home.”

It’s childish calling Allegra that, but I need to put a firmer barrier between us. When she said my name after I’d threatened grievous bodily harm, my nervous system went haywire. I’ve never heard Bonnie sound so…dangerous before.

“Take a seat, sweetheart,” Pop says, patting the spot next to him and Kelley.

A sinking feeling makes itself at home in my chest. I’d wondered if my dads knew about Lorenzo, and I think I’m about to get the answer.

Dad crouches by my knee. He smells of Gucci for Men, whereas Pop smells like Versace. I’ve always ribbed them for being cologne snobs. It’s the only stylish thing about them. Pop has a wool obsession like me, and Dad wears garish bow ties most days.

“Can you just tell me?” I ask. “I’ve had enough surprises lately. I can’t deal with any more secrets.”

Pop squeezes my thigh, and Dad drops his head. “I’m sorry, pumpkin. We never thought this would happen. Lorenzo promised you weren’t in any danger as long as your identity was protected.”

My throat bobs as I try to swallow. “You’ve known about him all this time?”

Dad looks up into my eyes. “We’ve never met the man until today. We received a letter when we finalised your adoption.”

“What did it say?”

Pop sighs. “Nothing and everything, I suppose. Lorenzo felt it necessary to warn us. The letter was brief and didn’t give any details. He said that letter would be the last time we would ever hear from him, and at that moment, my dear, we were so delighted to finally have you, we chose to believe him and forget about it.”

Dad takes Pop’s hand. “Look, we’re not stupid people, Bonnie. The letter alluded to a genuine threat to your life. It didn’t exactly paint your biological father as a good person. It’s not like he was a known criminal. Well, not in the UK, anyway. But the clues were there. Clearly, he was into things no child should ever be a part of. So we decided to leave it be. Neither your Pop nor I saw a benefit in digging into something that could bring you harm. And…as time went by, we didn’t see the point in worrying you with it. Lorenzo was never supposed to reappear.”

“Darling, if for one second we thought having Lorenzo in your life would’ve been beneficial, we would have told you,” Pop adds on.

“Ignorance was the way to keep you safe,” Dad finishes.

Does this change anything? Probably not. Whether they knew about him or not doesn’t erase what’s happening here and now. Do I wish they’d told me? I’m not sure. Maybe I would have felt curious and looked into Lorenzo Ferrante. I can understand why my dads wouldn’t want me doing that.

“You’re going to tell me to go to Sicily, aren’t you?”

Pop strokes my hair like he did when I was a little girl and struggling to process the world. “What do you want to do?”

I look at him with raised eyebrows. “I want to go home and forget all about this. I want to go to work and then go home to my microwave meals.”

That pulls furrowed brows from both parents. Okay, so Allegra’s assessment of my life may have stung, because it was pretty much spot on, although the wool dig was unnecessary.

“Okay, now what do you think you should do?” Dad asks.

I blow a raspberry. “I should go to the stupid villa?”

Pop and Dad chuckle. “I think that’s the right call, sweetheart,” Pop soothes.

“You’re both coming too, though. If the threat is as bad as Lorenzo thinks, I want you with me.”

Pop nods. “Of course. We’re due for a holiday, anyway.”

“Should we call Pete?” Kelley asks. She’s nibbling on her bottom lip. “I mean, if people are looking for you, we have to assume they know who your friends are.”

My first reaction is to laugh. Allegra is going to lose her shit if I demand Pete be brought along, too. “Maybe I should ask Lorenzo. He knows who we’re up against.”

“I’ll go,” Dad says. My guess is he wants a few more words with him. “While I do that, why don’t you help Kelley get washed and dressed? It’s a beautiful day. No need to stay cooped up in here.” His eyes are roaming over the wallpaper and furniture. His dislike is written all over his face.

Once Kelley is washed—and her hair tamed—we head outside. I’m on edge waiting for Toni the Giant to pop out and shout at me for leaving the house. He doesn’t. Actually, he waves as I walk by. His hair is still greased back, and he’s wearing the same dark suit as before, but for whatever reason, he looks less threatening in the daylight.

As soon as we step outside, the roar of the ocean pulls my attention. One side of the property looks over a sheer cliff face. The ocean is choppy, and waves batter the rocks. I am flabbergasted we made it to the cave entrance without being impaled.

Looking around doesn’t give me any clue as to where we are. I guess it doesn’t matter considering we’ll be moving on soon. Kelley links her good arm with me as we stroll. Dark Land Rovers line the front of the mansion. Cliché, in my opinion. The Ferrante family could at least pretend this isn’t a mob house.

“It’s good to get some fresh air,” Kelley says. My dads are still talking to Lorenzo, and as much as I want to know what’s going on, Kelley needs me more.

“Kel, are you sure you want to come along? You could visit your mum or something. You don’t need to put yourself in danger for me.”

“I’m not in danger with you, though. That’s the point, Bonnie.”

I sneak a side glance. “What about Allegra? She shot you!”

Kelley takes a deep breath. “She did, and I can’t lie; she’s fucking terrifying, like way more than in books.”

“She’s an ass,” I state.

“But she’s still really hot, right?”

Before I can answer, Allegra steps out of the house, talking to a woman I’ve yet to meet. They are talking closely and quietly. Behind them, Toni exits with several suitcases. He throws them in the back of one of the ridiculously large Land Rovers. Allegra kisses the woman on the cheeks and climbs in the back of the car.

I watch the car back out and drive off. “Where’s she going?” I bark.

Kelley eyes me again. I’m starting to think I’ve got something on my face. Why is everyone studying me every time I open my mouth?

“Allegra is travelling to Italy this evening,” a voice says, way too close to my ear. I didn’t notice the woman Allegra was speaking to walk over. Turning, I do my best to not cower. She has the same energy as Allegra and I’m sure she’s just as deadly.

“Good for her.”

Scary woman chuckles. “You don’t fool me,” she says quietly. “I see you.”

“Um, okay. Sorry, do I know you?”

She shakes her head. “We’ve never met face to face.”

“Right. Well, nice to meet you…”

“Rosa. And you are Bonnie Moorside, long-lost daughter of the big man.”

I shake my head. “Biologically. That’s it. Anyway, we’re going to continue our walk. That is, if I’m still allowed that basic freedom.”

Another wolfish grin. “I see what Allegra means. See you around, Sparky.”

I don’t love that nickname, but I think I’ve given enough snark for one day.

“What was that about?” Kelley asks. I shrug. “She was scary, too.”

“Oh, Kel. They are all scary. Remember who they are.”

“Hey, I said I was drugged up when I was talking shite about Beth.”

“Uh-huh. You’re forgetting I was there earlier when she changed your dressing.”

She laughs. “I can look.”

“Sure. As long as you remember what these people do.”

She bops her head. “Yeah, okay. I’ll give you the same advice then, Bonnie.”

My head whips around. “Excuse me?”

“Oh, please! I see your lustful stares at Allegra.”

“She’s a nut job, Kelley. What you’re seeing is disdain.”

“Thin line between—”

“Do not finish that sentence. Now, do you want to stretch your legs or not?”

“Defensive,” she murmurs.

Our bickering is interrupted by my dads. “Hey, kiddos. Nice out here, isn’t it?”

“Better than the view from down there,” I say, pointing towards the ocean.

“Ah, you got the boat tour too, huh,” Dad says. That would have gone down like a ton of bricks because he gets violently seasick.

“We did. I’m hoping we can go out the front way when we leave.”

“Speaking of which,” Pop says. “Lorenzo wants us on a plane in the morning. Allegra has already left, and I don’t think he feels comfortable being here without her.”

“Because she’s a violent killer and he needs her to do the dirty work?” I spit.

My dads’ eyes go wide, and they share a look; one I’ve witnessed hundreds of times before, especially in my teenage years when I was particularly moody. “That’s a lot of anger, pumpkin.”

“Maybe I’ve got a lot to be angry about,” I snap. Blimey, what’s got into me?

“You have. That’s true. So let’s talk about it, sweetheart.”

“No, I’m tired of talking. I’m sorry, I’ll be fine. Maybe I need some time alone. I’ll see you later.” And then I walk off back to the house, back to the room I couldn’t wait to be away from, and yet it now feels like the only place I can think clearly.

I have to get a grip on myself. My parents are here and we’re all safe. That’s all that matters. Everything else is just background noise. Allegra leaving without a word shouldn’t matter. But it does.

I’ve only been in the room for a few minutes before I’m feeling agitated. Storming out, I set off down the stairs with no particular destination. Poking my head around several doors, I come to a screeching halt when I enter what can only be described as the most beautiful room I have ever seen. Yes, there is still dark wood everywhere, but that can be forgiven because the wood is housing thousands upon thousands of books. I have never seen a private library this large before.

It’s times like this I totally understand Belle staying with the Beast. Books are a game changer. Sod true love; give me a bunch of novels any day of the week. My brain breathes a sigh of relief, and I know what I need to do to work off this bad mood. I need to organise. I can already see the shelves are in no order whatsoever. That’s about to change.

I don’t hear the door open. I’m surrounded by books on the floor, and I’ve never been happier. So far, it’s less organised than when I started, but I can’t be blamed for getting distracted. Two legs step into my line of sight. Expensive-looking Italian loafers shuffle nervously. Placing down the book I’ve been salivating over, I look up to see Lorenzo staring at me with wonder in his eyes.

“You’re so much like your mother,” he says. “She loved this room, too.”

Standing, I look around. “Sorry about the mess. I’ll tidy it up, I promise. I just needed something to take my mind off…”

He smiles at me softly and I see myself in him again. It’s really weird if I’m honest.

“Take your time and do whatever you need to do. I hope before all this is over, you’ll give me a chance to talk to you. About your mother…or about myself. Whatever you’d like to know.”

“Maybe. I… I’m sorry. I know you want more than that, but I’m struggling with who you are, if truth be told.”

He bobs his head. “Understandable. Just keep an open mind. That’s all I ask.”

I watch him leave and feel myself crumple until I’m back on the floor. I wish there was a “My Dad is a Mobster” manual. I could do with some guidance. My mind drifts to Allegra, and I wonder what it was like for her growing up with Lorenzo.

I wonder what kind of woman she would have been outside of this life.