Page 34 of Sweetest Sin (Tempting Love #1)

“Grandfathers,” she finishes. “Though Antonio and Joseph Senior died at an early age from a heart attack and car accident, my grandfather didn’t die until he was in his eighties.

By the time my grandfather was set to retire, he and his friends had transformed this city.

North Harbor Point was thriving, and South Harbor Point was ten times safer.

” She smiles thoughtfully, and it’s clear she was fond of her grandfather.

“But my grandfather made the mistake of allowing Andrey to take over.”

I know from listening to Dominick that Andrey was their father, but they all refer to him by his name and not title.

“Most of his life, my father had been raised poor because it took years for my grandfather’s efforts to make a difference.

But when he was older and my grandfather was making a good living, he got a taste of what money could do.

He became greedy, thrived on power and control, and despite my grandfather warning him not to, he took the business to the next level, dragging Giuseppe and Joseph along with him.

He allowed illegal importation, welcomed the drug dealers onto the streets, and gave the pimps the green light because it meant more money in his pocket.

“My grandfather couldn’t watch what Andrey was doing to the city that he and his friends had turned around, so he left for Russia …”

“That’s where you were,” I say, remembering Dominick went there and then came back with her.

“Yes, I lived there for a little over four years, until my grandparents passed away and Dominick made me come home.” She smiles sadly.

“I missed my brothers and my mother, but I hate it here. I hate this house, even though it’s been renovated.

I hate everything it represents. I hate this city.

Everywhere I go, it reminds me of Andrey, and I hate him. ”

“If you’re trying to convince me to stay, you’re not exactly painting the best picture,” I point out, and Brielle laughs.

It’s the first time I’ve heard her laugh, and when she looks at me with sparkling blue eyes filled with mirth, she’s even more beautiful, reminding me of Dominick during the rare moments when he lets his guard down.

“From the time Dominick was born, he was groomed to run Antonov Enterprises. Andrey hoped to create a carbon copy of himself, but when he realized that, despite his best efforts, his son actually had a heart and a conscience, he refused to give up his control. Matteo was too much of a wild card, and he hated that, even though Dominick and Matteo were vastly different, they were inseparable.”

She chuckles humorously and shakes her head.

“Dominick and Matteo planned to take our father out, but he must’ve caught wind of it because he told them that if he died, the business would be left to his best friend and business partner, Giuseppe.

He used the excuse that he wasn’t handing over the reins until Dominick married Daniella Russo, but everyone knew it was just his way of prolonging giving up his precious control.

“So, my brothers had to come up with another plan. For years, Dominick pretended to kiss his ass, and it paid off. About a year before Andrey died, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and updated his will so that Dominick would get everything should something happen to him.”

“The guy sounds like a real gem,” I mutter.

“However you’re imagining Andrey, he was ten times worse.” She swallows thickly and then locks eyes with me. “The reason I left was because he had forced me to have an abortion after finding out I was pregnant.”

Before I can hold back my reaction, I gasp and then cover my mouth.

“I was in love,” she admits, her gaze now faraway, like she’s somewhere else. “But I was promised to another man—Anthony Rothschild,” she says, “the asshole who tried to kidnap Damien. When he found out I was no longer a virgin, he raped me, and then a month later, I found out I was pregnant.

“When I told Andrey, rather than him be pissed that the son of his business partner had raped me, he told me I shouldn’t have been spreading my legs and then forced me to have an abortion.

I didn’t know it at the time, but he must’ve told Anthony and his father because his father ended up killing mine.

“And when Anthony went after your son, he said it was an eye for an eye. Dominick thinks he’s pissed that my dad took his supposed heir, so he wants to take Dominick’s.”

“Holy shit,” I breathe. “And I’m just supposed to be okay with all this?”

“No,” she says. “You don’t have to be okay with anything, but you do have to accept that this is the world you and your son live in now.

“Dominick isn’t our father. The second our father died, Dominick cut ties with Anthony’s family. He refused to allow any more arranged marriages, and he started cleaning up the streets that our father had dirtied.

“He’s spent the past four years building his legal businesses, expanding on real estate, purchasing and renovating run-down businesses, but it takes time to undo what our father did.

And some of it can never be undone, so rather than fight against it, he’s working it to his advantage so he’s in control.

Because if he’s not, someone else will be.

And what if that person is anything like Andrey? ”

She quirks a perfectly manicured brow, and I nod in understanding.

“Dominick has no choice but to be ruthless,” she says. “If you show a moment of weakness, you’re dead. We live in a kill-or-be-killed world, and Dominick will do everything in his power to ensure we stay alive.”

“And what about you?” I ask, my curiosity getting the better of me. “Where do you fit into all this?”

“I don’t know.” She shrugs, and for a moment, she looks how I feel—vulnerable and insecure and so damn lost. But then she sucks in a deep breath and releases it, squares her shoulders, and juts out her chin.

“I’m forced to be here, the same as you.

But it’s pointless to fight against it. I’m pretty and rich, and I have nothing better to do than have fun, so that’s what I’m going to do.

” She stands and smiles down at me. “The sooner you get on board, the better. Besides, it’s obvious you have a thing for my brother.

Just let all your preconceived notions go and let it flow. ”

She stands and starts to walk away, but then she stops and looks back at me. “I’m going to Kings Point with some friends to have a drink tonight if you want to join.”

“What’s King’s Point?”

“An upscale club my brothers own.”

“I don’t have anyone to watch Damien.”

“Martha,” Brielle calls out, and a moment later, Martha peeks around the corner.

“Yes, Brielle?”

“Any chance you want to keep an eye on Damien tonight? Ricky will be here too.”

“Of course,” she says with a smile. “I can watch that sweet boy for you anytime. I’m only a hundred feet away.”

“What?” I ask in confusion, making Martha laugh.

“My dear, I thought you knew. I live in the living quarters in the back. It’s where all the full-time employees live.”

“Oh, I didn’t know that.” I’ve seen the guards walk back and forth between the house and what I thought was a pool house, but I didn’t know anyone lived there. “Are you sure? I could, um, pay you extra.”

Martha laughs. “Oh, no. Trust me, Dominick pays me plenty. I don’t mind at all.”

“Perfect,” Brielle says. “Be ready to go in an hour.”

“Won’t Dominick be home by then?” I ask.

“Doubtful.” Brielle shrugs. “He mentioned getting answers, and the torturing usually takes a while.”

I glance at Martha, and she doesn’t look shocked at all as she goes back to wiping down the counters.

“Who our family is, along with what we do, isn’t a secret,” Brielle explains. “All the employees sign NDAs, but even if they didn’t, the Antonov reputation speaks for itself. Nobody would dare cross us.”

“Anthony did, and whoever’s messing with the shipments is too.”

“Let me rephrase,” she says. “Nobody in their right mind or without a death wish would dare cross us.”