Page 3 of In Ruins
From a young age, I knew that even though we’re siblings, our lives were very different. I've never resented him for being able to do the things I couldn’t or for having the freedom I didn’t.
On the days when it gets to be too much, I still dream of running away so that I can have the same kind of independence my brother does.
Luca is the typical Mafia playboy prince, set to inherit the throne of the Bellucci empire in a few years. Well, whatever is left of it by the end of our father’s rule. Though Luca does own his own business that is completely independent of my father’s, so I’m sure he’ll be fine either way, but hopefully we’re lucky, and someone will kill him soon.
Sometimes it feels as though I’m constantly living in my brother’s shadow, especially when I see how much Father praises him for everything he does. I even get jealous when he dotes on him and shows him the kind of love that he’ll never show me.
I don’t ever resent my brother for any of that, though. I’m glad that at least one of us is being shown some kind of love from our only parent. My father hates me for the simple facts that one, I was born a girl, and two, I had the audacity to kill my mother during childbirth.
In his eyes, I’ll never come close to being as good as my brother. I’m useless to him unless I marry to form an alliance to bring more power to the family. At least Father is usually away more often than not, so I only have to brace for his coldness a handful of times a year, and only when Luca is not around. I’ve made peace with the fact that he’ll always be this way.
“You know I would never risk Father’s wrath for no reason. I’m almost done. I only need to pull my dress on,” I tell him as I stand from where I was sitting in front of my vanity, finishing up my hair since Giana already did my makeup. She’s been working for my family for a while, but only became my personal maid about a year ago. She’s more my friend now than an employee. I rush over to him, and he opens his arms wide. I slam into him, hugging him for dear life as he hugs me back before kissing me on the cheek.
“Looks like somebody missed me,” he jokes with a smile. “How was your week? I missed you while I was away.”
“Of course, I missed you, you big oaf. Same old, same old. Nothing too dramatic. It felt like you were gone for a lifetime.” I pout. “I thought for sure you were going to miss the party and leave me all alone to deal with the creeps.”
“I would never! What kind of brother would I be if I did that?” he questions.
He was gone this entire week on a business trip to New York to deal with issues at his winery and vineyard, and only just got back, just in time for the party Father is hosting tonight.
“Honestly, you’d be the worst!” I laugh.
“How was Father while I was away?”
“Fine. He was out for a couple of days, and when he was home, I mostly stayed out of his way. But there was an occasion or two where he just couldn’t help himself with his words, ya know?”
Luca had found me crying in my room a couple of times, and after lying to him the first few instances, I eventually had to fess up. You can only lie, especially when you’re not good at it, so many times, right? He knows that Father uses his words to put me down, but he doesn’t know about the beatings. I don’t want any bloodshed, and my brother knowing that my father hits me would definitely cause some.
“God, he’s such an asshole! I’m going to kill his ass one of these days,” he mutters, and I know he means it.
“Don’t say that. I don’t want him to get wind of that and kill you first. I’m fine. You know I’m used to his stupid words. I don’t care what he has to say about me, but I do care about you. I don’t want you dead or getting into any trouble,” I tell him sternly.
“You are too good for this world, you know? I guess you’re right, but I fucking hate it when he’s an asshole to you. I know it hurts your feelings, and I don’t like it,” he grumbles.
“I know, and I love you for that. You’re the best big brother a girl could ever have asked for. Killing him just for being an asshole to me won’t be justified, and you know it.”
“Ugh! I know,” he groans. “By the way, when did you get so smart, huh?”
“I’ve always been smart, you dummy.” I laugh.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Go finish getting dressed so we can head down before our dear old dad loses his patience.”
“You’re right,” I say as I walk away from him and make my way into my closet. I shrug off the robe I was wearing and step into the blue, floor-length tulle ball gown adorned with sequins.
It’s a fine strap gown, and the skirt features cut-out layers that make it look like a dress fit for a princess. I hold the front up to my chest as I step back into my room and turn around so that Luca can zip me up.
“You look gorgeous as always, little sis,” he tells me, as a genuine and happy smile spreads across his face.
“You don’t look so bad yourself in that tux. I forgot to compliment you on it earlier. I’m sure you’ll get a lot of action tonight when all the girls see you in that,” I tease.
“Don’t make me wash your mouth out with soap. You aren’t supposed to know about shit like that until you’re like fifty,” he tells me, and I let out an unladylike snort.
“Double standards, much, big bro?” I question with a roll of my eyes.
“Let’s go before I give you a stern talking-to.” He huffs, and I laugh because he really would bore me to death if he tried to give me the birds and the bees lecture. I’ve had a few of those before from my tutors, and I would rather cut my ear off than listen to another one, especially from him.
I slip on my shoes, and we’re ready to go mingle with the deadly and wealthy Mafia assholes and the businessmen they allow into their circle.
