My senses are prickling because whoever this guy is, I want to kill him with my bare hands and Louisa sighs with annoyance. “I told you, I’m not interested. He’s so boring and has no conversation.”
“Boring, that’s rich, coming from the queen of boredom.”
“That’s enough, Sienna, apologize to your sister.”
Dimitri growls and Sienna shrugs, not looking the least bit sorry as she snaps, “Soz, babe. Anyway, Flynn, do say you’ll come. I was telling the gang about you last night and they are desperate for a glimpse. You’ll make me the envy of everyone if you come.”
I watch Louisa’s face fall and hate the effect her sister has on her and I shake my head. “I’m sorry. Thanks for the invitation, but I have business to attend to.”
“You do?” Vivian looks surprised, and I nod. “I need to clear my mind of a few things and could use the time to carry out some research.”
Sienna yawns loudly. “Well, if you change your mind, you know where I am.”
As she helps herself to a pastry, it’s as if I’ve dodged a bullet. The thought of mixing with her friends leaves me cold, but her sister is another pleasure entirely.
Dimitri sighs heavily and looks at Louisa. “We should go. The meeting is at nine and I have some work to do beforehand.”
I look up in surprise and note the smart dress Louisa is wearing that hugs her curves in all the right places. She has tied her hair back and her eyes shine with excitement as she stands.
Vivian looks surprised. “Oh, I forgot about your meeting. Will it take all day?”
Dimitri smiles and bends down, kissing his wife’s cheek. “Only part of the morning. Come and meet me for lunch if you like.”
“I’ll let you know.” Vivian looks in my direction and I say quickly, “It’s fine. I really do have things to do.”
As the family head off to their daily lives, it only reinforces how different my own is. There are no family breakfasts where we discuss our days. No messing around and no concern over how we’re feeling. It’s just business. Painful business that strips a man’s soul and renders him a monster.
Just imagining the expression of horror on their faces if they see what I’m capable of fills me with sadness and as I glance up, I see Louisa staring at me with concern. She smiles briefly and for some reason it lifts my spirits because out of nowhere, this girl has managed to crawl inside my heart and let a little light in. With her I’m not on my own and I wonder about that. Could I have found someone to share my life with and will it be as a family rather than the lovers I would prefer?
If Massimo isn’t my father, there is nothing stopping me from pursuing my original plan, which is why it’s suddenly the most important thing in the world to find out once and for all who the fuck my father is.