There’s a knock on the door and my head jerks up, heart pounding harder as it opens. The guard whose name is Sully steps aside and allows someone to enter. I instantly recognize Finley.
After Sully closes the door again, Finley hesitates and says, “I hope you don’t mind me stopping by.”
I stand up and walk over to her. “Not at all. I thought you were going to the hospital.”
She shakes her head, then brushes her red-gold hair over her shoulders. “I started crying and that made mom start crying and Connor told me I should stay here. They’re going to go handle everything and he said they didn’t need me there. It’s hard because… I’ve never lost anyone before.”
“I’m so sorry,” I tell her. The next thing I know, Finley is hugging me and sobbing. At first, I’m not sure what to do. I barely know her. But I embrace her back and, suddenly, it doesn’t feel very strange anymore. Finley Mennetti is one of the sweetest, most sensitive people I’ve ever met. In so many ways, she reminds me of Sofia. My sister is a sensitive soul and they seem to be built of the same thing – stardust, wonder and dreams.
“I-I’m sorry,” she apologizes and pulls away with a hiccup. “You’re probably happy my dad is gone.”
Her words strike a chord deep inside me and I shake my head.
“No, I’m not happy about your loss, Finley. And I never met your father, so it wouldn’t be fair to harbor any ill will toward him or any of you.”
“But you’re a Volkanov.”
“Right now, I’m a friend.” She slowly nods and I give her a small smile. “Want to make some tea?”
“And maybe go sit in the garden and drink it?”
“That sounds perfect,” I tell her. Fifteen minutes later, Finley and I are sitting on the cushioned couch surrounded by flowers and plants. It’s a nice shaded patio in the rear of the main house and birds sing all around us.
Occasionally, I see a hummingbird dart by and various, brightly colored butterflies float from one flower to the next. It’s peaceful and the nearby splash of a fountain makes it super soothing. I should make Connor sit out here with me later, to help him de-stress.
As we sip our tea, Finley starts telling me about her father and, at first, I’m not sure how to respond. But I just let her talk and get it all out.
“It’s not like we were ever especially close or anything, but he always looked out for us kids and took care of us. My mom is going to miss him and I feel especially bad for her.”
“Were they very much in love?” I ask and think about my parents relationship. Even though they fight sometimes, I know they care about each other. I am just beginning to question what my mom thinks about the darker things my father does, the bad things that we’ve chosen to ignore. Yet, when I look at Nolan Mennetti, the bad things are the first thing I always saw.
I’m also beginning to realize that the Volkanov and Mennetti family aren’t all that different and maybe our fathers are more similar than they’d ever care to admit or acknowledge.
It’s all rather eye opening.
Being here, meeting Connor’s family, I’m starting to form my own opinions and not just rely on the hearsay and stories that I was told since I was a child. It’s actually nice to see the Mennetti world with my own eyes and not be tainted by what everyone tells me.
However, I can’t help but remember what Connor said about my father. His words have been haunting me since the moment he spoke while we were arguing.
I know what he’s capable of and what he did to a 16-year-old kid.
And then he lifted his left hand and showed me where his smallest finger was half missing.
What did that mean? Is he blaming my dad? Accusing him of cutting his finger off at the knuckle? Why would my father do that? And to a kid who’s only 16?
I want to ask him more about it, but I’m scared I’ll find things out that I wish I hadn’t. Maybe I’ll learn the truth that my father is more of a monster than I ever realized. Even though he expects me to marry Antonio, he’s otherwise left me pretty much alone and I’ve avoided prying into the business side of things.
But now I’m curious. Connor makes me want to find out answers that I’ve chosen to ignore for so long.
Too long.
Turning to Finley, I toy with the edge of my mug as I ask, “What have you been told about my family?”
For a moment, she doesn’t say anything, just shifts awkwardly on the couch.
“It’s okay, Finley. I promise, I won’t be mad.”
“I guess I’ve always been told that the Volkanovs hate us and that they want to destroy our family and businesses.”
“We don’t all feel that way. Just like I’m willing to bet that your family doesn’t all feel that way about us.”
“I don’t.” she murmurs. “And I’m pretty Sure Ry doesn’t either.”
A smile lifts the edge of my mouth.
“No matter what our fathers or anyone else told us, I want you to know that I consider you my friend, Finley. I’d never do anything to hurt you or your family.”
She nods then tilts her golden-red head. “What’s going on between you and Connor?”
A blush heats my cheeks and I’m not exactly sure how to answer her question. My hand moves over my stomach, and I say, “I care about Connor.”
“A lot?” she presses.
“A lot,” I confirm.
Finley smiles widely. “I’m glad,” she announces. “I’ve decided you would make an amazing sister-in-law.”
A laugh bursts from my throat. “I don’t know about that, but…” I look over at a trellis of red roses and whisper, “We shall see what happens.”
“Good things,” Finley predicts.
“Lots of good things.”
God, I hope she’s right.