Lissy Romano

11| Look at me.

Lissy Romano

"Take the fucking blood test. She doesn't have a choice in this," Vincenzo shouted over the phone before hanging up abruptly.

My heart began pounding in my chest. I had no idea what was happening, but the panic was instant. My breathing quickened, and a sharp pain coursed through me.

"Don't make me do this by force," Domenico said firmly, grabbing my hand.

No. No. No. That was all I could think. If I fought him, he'd call someone else to hold me down, and I couldn't bear the thought of anyone seeing me like that—vulnerable, exposed. I'd have to let him take the stupid test.

Domenico started rolling up my sleeve when his phone buzzed. A call. Please let it be something important. Let him leave. Let him forget about this damn test.

He stood up and walked away to answer. From the way his face shifted, it was bad news. I stayed still, praying silently.

When he finally came back, I tried to read his expression.

"What happened?" I asked, my voice barely steady.

"Santino," Domenico said grimly, tossing aside the blood test supplies. Relief washed over me.

"What's wrong with him?" I asked, now more curious than relieved.

"We have to pick him up," Domenico said, already grabbing his jacket. "Come on, let's go."

"What about Giovanni?" I asked as I followed him outside. Wasn't he supposed to be with us?

"He has things to handle. Let's go." Domenico's tone made it clear there was no time for questions.

We got in his car, and though I hated Domenico for what he'd tried to do earlier, I was grateful he hadn't noticed the bruises. He didn't know.

The drive felt long. We eventually pulled up to some bar or restaurant—someplace unfamiliar. Domenico parked the car and stepped out.

As I followed him, he started typing on his phone. I stood nearby, unsure of what to do. Then I noticed someone walking toward us—a tall, striking man with black ripped jeans and a white long-sleeved shirt. He had a confident stride, and he was ridiculously good-looking.

"That's Santino," Domenico said without looking up from his phone.

"Okay," I muttered under my breath, wondering how all my brothers managed to look like gods. Meanwhile, I was thin, small... a ghost of myself. Maybe it was because Miguel had starved me for years.

Santino reached us, and without saying a word to Domenico, he came straight to me. Before I could react, he pulled me into a hug.

I didn't like hugs. Normally, they made me uncomfortable. But this one... this was different. His hands avoided my bruises, and the way he held me felt warm. Safe.

"My Lissy," Santino said softly. "I've missed you so much."

Lissy.

It caught me off guard. No one had called me that in years.

"Lissy?" I asked, confused.