Page 197 of Sins of the Orchid

My eyes searched frantically. This was like my worst nightmare.

“I’m waiting,” he taunted. “Tick, tock. Tick, tock.”

My brother threw his gun to the ground.

Holding my breath, I watched as a man descended the stairs with five men behind him and two at each side, protecting him. It hardly seemed like a fair fight. So many of them against just the two of us, weaponless.

“Hello, Orchid,” he drawled, his voice toneless. His cold, unflinching dark stare met mine and images from the last time I saw him flashed in my mind. Blood, screams, betrayal, death.

I never knew this man, I realized. His thin lips curved into a grimace, a taunting smile. He despised me, his hate gleaming in his eyes. It couldn’t be more evident.

This was like my worst nightmare. He was supposed to love me, cherish me. Protect me. Yet, he lurked in the shadows of my life for years hunting me, waiting to kill me.

He betrayedus. Hurtus. Leftusto die.

“You’ve given me a run for my money,” he said with menace in his voice, then flicked his gaze behind him. “Hasn’t she? Come here so she can see you.”

I watched as a pair of black combat boots descended the stairs, revealing more and more of a man’s body. My mind revolted against recognition, and my stomach churned.

No, no, no, no.

My heart shattered and a piercing pain followed deep in my chest.

The worst betrayal.

Were the men in my life always destined to betray me?

Each second, each step felt like a bullet to my heart. Up until this moment, even with Adriano kidnapping me, I hoped, wished, believed, he’d come to his senses. Betrayal tasted bitter. My best friend.

“Adriano,” I whispered, the pain at seeing his dark cold eyes piercing my heart. I knew of his betrayal. Yet, it still hurt like a bitch. Nothing screamed of a confirmed betrayal like standing behind the man who wanted you dead. Yet I refused to admit defeat. I refused to give up on him and my mind revolted at losing my best friend. “What have you done?”

My eyes shifted to the man I called my father for the first thirteen years of my life. Yet, a true father would never do something like this. He tortured my mother. He caused his own son’s death by sending them after me.

George Anderson was twisted. Selfish. Evil.

With renewed strength, I stood up off the dingy, little spring bed, noises of protest with my every movement. Keeping emotion off my face and my feet planted firmly on the ground, just in case I get an open window.

My brother’s eyes came to me, a jerky nod, hard determination in his eyes. I hoped I mirrored some of his courage.

Lorenzo and I would fight them. Together.

I watched the man that was never my father… not really! And not just by blood.

The past eight years weren’t kind to him. He stood tall, thin, his hair disheveled and white. Not silver white, but dull, gray. His thin lips curved into a grimace, a taunting smile.

Somewhere deep down I hoped it was all just a set up. Yet, there he was, standing proud and tall in front of me. The familiar features I had cared about for so long. The resemblance to Santi at this very moment struck me as more evident than ever.

The ruthless mobster.

But Santi had a heart. He loved me. He was ruthless but fair. And Adriano… I always thought he was softer and kinder than his brother. Yet the coldness in his eyes right now… it froze my heart.

George’s betrayal seemed mild compared to Adriano’s.Today hasn’t been a good day.

Adriano’s lips pressed into a thin, grim line, a blank expression on his face. He avoided looking at me, his whole posture rigid. How could he stray so far away? I was blind, too wrapped up to see he needed me. It was all my fault.

I tried to sidestep Lorenzo, reaching my hand out to my best friend. “Adriano, please,” I pleaded. “You’re my best friend.” My voice cracked with emotion.

I had to save him. Santi could get through to his brother, make him see reason. Adriano was pushed too far by my betrayal and Santi cutting his connection to the Cosa Nostra. If only Santi was here; we had to save Adriano.