As we walk downstairs and out the front door, I start talking about the people I know so well and who she’s been told hate her.
“Well, you met Roberto, my twin. He lives right there,” I tell her and point to his house, which is not far away from mine. “He’s two minutes younger than me and is an underground prize fighter. You can usually find him working out or drinking protein shakes. I hope it wasn’t a mistake sending him to get you.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t want you trading me in for him,” I say ruefully.
“I’d never,” she assures me with a little smile. “When he came to get me. I knew within five seconds that he wasn’t you.”
I arch a brow. “But we’re identical twins. Well, for the most part,” I murmur and squeeze my left hand into a fist, hiding my missing finger. “He’s a little bulkier, but… how did you know so fast?”
“Your energy is different,” she immediately states. “And your voice is gravellier.”
Hmm, interesting. “How is my energy different?” I ask, beyond curious. Roberto and I used to be able to fool everyone when we were younger and if we switched places, no one could ever tell.
“It’s more serious and you possess an authoritative presence while his is looser and more carefree.”
“So, I’m too serious?”
She shakes her head. “No, I didn’t say that. I like your intensity.”
“I know I can get into my head and maybe it’s too much sometimes. For some people.”
“Not for me. I like you just the grumpiness and way you are all.”
The teasing note in her voice makes me smile. “You know, being around you makes me feel lighter. When we were apart…”
My voice trails off. When we were apart, some days it felt like I was drowning in concrete. I couldn’t breathe and I was consumed by anger and shadows. I don’t like feeling that way.
“What?” she presses.
“You took all the light with you,” I say simply. Clearing my throat, knowing I sound like a sentimental fool, I continue telling her about my family. “My other brother is Rylan, and I also have a sister named Finley. She’s the youngest at 22.”
“So, there are four of you,” she muses. “There are four of us, too.”
“Tell me,” I urge her as we walk across the grass together, now passing by Roberto’s place and heading toward the main house.
“My older brother is Giovanni, but we call him Gio. He’s a little like you, but more sarcastic. Then there’s me followed by Solana and then Luca. The three of us are only a year apart and I’m not sure how my mom managed having three little ones so close in age.”
“How old is Giovanni?”
“Twenty-nine. So, five years older than me.”
“And a year older than me, I think, knowing we’re both in similar positions, destined to take over our respective family organization. I wonder how he feels about that and if he’s going to have as difficult a transition as I’ve experienced. “Are you close?”
“I’m closest with Sofia. She’s my best friend and we tell each other everything. Gio is older, so he’s always done his own thing, but I love him dearly. And Luca is in his own world. He’s quieter and more sensitive than the rest of us. He’s away at school right now. I don’t think my dad really knows what to do with him, so he basically ignores him.”
At the mention of her father, I automatically tense up. Matthias Volkanov will always be on my shit list and for good reason.
Then she surprises me and asks, “How’s your dad doing?”
We stop walking beneath the branches of a large tree. “Not good,” I say, keeping to the raw truth. “He slipped into a coma not long after the… incident. It’s been months now and the doctors don’t have anything positive to say. Just this morning – ” My voice cracks. I quickly clear it and regroup. “Just this morning Sean told me I’m going to need to make a decision.”
“Decision?” she echoes, searching my gaze.
“About whether to pull the plug.”
“Oh, God,” she whispers. “I’m so sorry, Connor.” Then she wraps her arms around me and lays her head on my chest. “I can’t even begin to imagine.”
I need to talk to my mom and that’s where this is going to get really hard. She’s so full of hope that he can recover, and she visits him every day.” I let out a pent-up sigh. “I’m just not sure how to handle the situation. Sean told me my dad wouldn’t want to live like this and I know he’s right. But how can I ask my mom to turn off the machines that are keeping him alive? Even though I know I should, I can’t.”
“It’s a terrible position to be in,” she empathizes. “If there’s anything I can do…”
I nod and take a step back when I catch sight of Finley lingering not too far away. “I think my sister is spying on us,” I say in a dry voice.
“It’s not hard to miss that red hair of hers.”
Trish turns and I wave a hand in Finley’s direction. She pops out from around the large fichus plant she’s hiding behind on the back patio of the main house and grins. As she walks over with a little wave, I lean down and whisper, “Brace yourself. She’s a talker.”
Trish chuckles and I can see the rabid curiosity all over my little sister’s face. I don’t ever bring women back to the compound. Only to my apartment in the city.
“Hi,” she says, a little breathless and openly looking from me to Trish.
“Finley, this is Trisha. She’s going to be my guest for a while.”
I keep it vague because I have no idea how long Trish is going to be staying here. Hopefully forever, a part of me thinks.
“Hi, Trisha,” she says and enthusiastically shakes my hand.
“I love your hair.”
“Please, call me Trish. And I’d trade hair with you in a heartbeat. The color is stunning.”
My sister flips her red-gold hair over a shoulder. “It’s natural, but I get sick of it. Red hair just doesn’t go with everything like dark hair.”
I purposely leave Trish’s last name out. Finley doesn’t know anything than whatever poison my father has fed her about the Volkanovs. The last thing I want to do is give Finley a reason to be scared and pull away. I have a feeling the two women will bond if left to their own devices. And when Trish is comfortable and ready then she can reveal her true identity.
Although a very wicked, extremely possessive part of me is wondering how to break up her engagement and make her an Mennetti instead.
Is it even possible?
I have no idea, but I’m willing to try. If things go smoothly for us and Trish opens herself up to me like I’m hoping, then maybe we have a chance after all.
Although right now that thought feels like I’m putting the cart before the horse. I’m about to take Trish inside to meet my mom and Raff when my phone buzzes. While the girls chat, I pull it out and check the caller ID.
“Shit,” I hiss and swipe the bar over. They instantly stop talking and listen.
“Connor Mennetti,” I answer, picking up the call from St. Alphonsus Hospital.
“Mr. Mennetti, this is Dr. Lewis. I’m very sorry to inform you that your father suffered a massive cardiac arrest, and we weren’t able to stabilize him. He just passed away.”
I squeeze my eyes shut. Even though the ventilator had kept him breathing, it didn’t keep his heart pumping. For a moment, I’m not sure what to say or how to respond and I look over at Trish. For strength, support, reassurance? I have no idea.
“Thanks for calling,” I say blankly, at a complete loss, and in a state of shock. Even though I should’ve been prepared for this, I’m clearly not. The doctor must hear the surprise in my voice because he informs me of what steps I need to take next, and I absorb maybe half of it. “Yeah, okay.”
After disconnecting the call, I feel a numbness settle over me.
“Dad’s gone,” I tell Finley, trying to wrap my head around it. Her blue eyes shimmer with tears. “Oh, no,” she gasps, covering her mouth with her hands.
“Let’s get mom and I’ll drive us over to the hospital.” I turn to Trish. “I want you to stay here where it’s safe. I’ll have a guard outside the door, but if you need anything call me, okay?”
She nods and I see a wet sheen covering her dark eyes.
“I’ll get Roberto and be back in a minute,” I tell Finley. “Let me walk Trish back. See if you can find Ry.”
We turn and head back over to my house. Up on the porch, I open the door and say, “I’ll try not to be long.”
“Take your time and do whatever needs to be done.” She grabs my hand and squeezes it. “I’m so sorry, Connor. ”
I can only nod then I turn and walk away, preparing myself for the emotional meltdown my whole family is about to have when they discover Dad is gone.