Hello!!! My beautiful readers🥰. Are you ready for another adventure? Okay, let's dive in. This book will be short and will tell the story of Liz and Ethan, Henry, and Larissa. They are identical twins from a pregnancy of quintuplets of Isis, the Lady of the Cosa Nostra, continuing the story of some characters in the fourth book and the subsequent fifth book.

Unlike book 2, this one requires reading book 1 to fully understand it. If you don't want to read it all, just the parts where Liz enters the story are from chapter 104 of 'Promised Souls Meet'.

Introduction of characters

Ethan Messina Denaro and Henry Messina Denaro, identical twins. Current age 22 years.

Liz Messina Denaro, current age 18 years.

Larissa Nilden, 26 years old.

Vitor Messina Denaro, 23 years old. Son of Vitor and Paola.

Ryan Oliveira Brazz, 22 years old, son of Lais and Raul.

Saul Oliveira Ricci, 21 years old, son of Sara and John.

Lorenzo and Dominic, identical twins, 22 years old.

Jade and Samantha, daughters of Sara and John, 22 years old.

Mateo Messina Denaro, 19 years old. Son of Vitor and Paola.

Ethan: You all know Liz's story, but you don't yet know how we fell in love. But for that, we need to go back in time, three years and exactly two days after Liz was taken to Italy by my brothers.

We are all at home, me, my brothers Lorenzo, Henry, and my cousins, in Oxford, England. When Sara calls, asking us to support the newest family member, as she was having difficulty dealing with all the traumas. It took me a while to talk to her. I couldn't understand the anxiety that took over me whenever one of my cousins or brothers was on a video call with her. After a lot of thought, I decided to call my mother and got her number, calling at a moment when I am alone, it feels almost like I'm about to commit a crime. I snap out of my thoughts upon hearing a voice so sweet it makes my heart skip beats and my hands tremble as I hold the phone, she, hearing nothing from me, repeats.

Liz: — Hello, is anyone there? I ask, feeling nervous, because I know who our mother, Isis, gave me the number of all my brothers and I know that it's Ethan calling. It's strange feeling my heart skip beats when he finally decides to speak.

Ethan: — H, hi Liz, it's Ethan, I called so we could talk a bit, I know I'm still a stranger to you but we're family now and you can open up to me, talk about anything you want, I'll just listen and nothing you tell me will go any further.

Liz: I don't know why, but I feel the urge to spill everything that's been stuck in my throat. I throw myself back on my huge bed and start talking. You know Ethan, I used to be a happy girl, I studied, played in the streets, yes, in the country where I was born kids still play, or used to play in the middle of the street until...

AUTHOR NARRATING LIZ'S STORY...

Liz lived with her mother, she was a girl full of life, cheerful and smiling, until her mother moved in with Afonso, a man who initially appeared very loving towards both of them, but as days passed, Afonso began stalking Liz, running his hands over her body in a manner that became increasingly malicious, touching her budding breasts, one day Liz woke up with Afonso sitting on the edge of her bed, touching her intimately, she screamed in fright and her mother heard and came into her room. What Liz did not imagine was that her protector already knew of all her husband's intentions and was complicit in everything.

Liz's Mother: Stay quiet, he's just showing you a bit of affection, let's show her what you will do to her one day, my love.

Amanda, Liz's mother, approaches Afonso, and they have sex right there in front of the daughter, who is shocked by what she sees. Months later, Liz is abused by her stepfather with her mother's help, often forced to watch the two of them having sex like animals. Liz lost weight and became a sad girl who always walked with her head down. Two days before Liz was found by Dominic and Samantha, a neighbor heard something strange and went to investigate. The next day he was outside the gate waiting for Afonso, the neighbor confronted him about what he was doing to the girl and made it clear that he had heard everything. Afonso made up an excuse that the girl was desperate because they were taking her to a boarding school. The neighbor, not satisfied with Afonso's response, made it clear he would be watching. Afonso, afraid of being discovered, talks to Amanda who tells him to get rid of Liz or they could be arrested and die in jail, as what they do in jail is certain death. Afonso decides to take Liz to a forest the next morning, a place where it would be hard to find a body, and by the time it was found he would be far away from the river, he wasn't rich but had enough financial means to start a life elsewhere, arranged everything with Amanda who had already packed everything for them to run away as soon as Afonso got rid of Liz. So, the next morning he took the trail to Pedra Bonita with Liz.

When they arrived at a certain spot, he left the trail heading towards a cliff, Liz cried a lot but at the same time thought that all her suffering would finally end. As they reached the edge of the cliff, which was very high, Afonso tore Liz's clothes and began to abuse her again, Liz screamed as always, even knowing it wouldn't help, she thrashed and cried a lot until someone pulls Afonso off her, she curls up. It was Dominic and Samantha who took her to Italy and Liz was raised by Isis and Vincenzo.

Back to the present moment after Liz tells Ethan the whole story above, she says...

Liz: — I just want to be a child again, not to have lived any of this, I feel dirty, unhappy, I feel hate, anger, and fear, all at once. I speak amid tears, while Ethan just listens on the other side of the line.

Ethan: Hearing Liz recount her story makes me bite my lower lip until it bleeds, but doesn't stop me from pacing back and forth nor from gripping the phone tightly. It's the only thing I can do to contain my rage, for now. — I'm so sorry, Liz, for all of this, but we can't change what happened, and you can't hide in a past where you were happy to forget the recent past, but you can face your fears, quench your hatred. Don't feel dirty, none of this is your fault, and I'm here to make you smile, as is everyone in our family, I try to correct myself.

Liz: — What do you mean by face my fears and quench my hatred? I ask, genuinely interested.

Ethan: — Liz, what I'm about to say may sound cruel, but now you are part of a world where we make our laws, and people who do bad things to us are punished. When I talk about facing your fears and quenching your hatred, I mean for you to confront your mother and stepfather, they will be killed because you don't do that?

Liz: — To, kill them? I am afraid. Afraid they might hurt me again, but at the same time, yes, I want to see them die and go to hell. You know Ethan, I hate my mother more, I have wanted to kill her many and many times. Do you know why? Because she wasn't just complicit in all of it, she was active in the rapes. I speak and mentally reprimand myself for saying that, but for some reason, I want to tell Ethan everything.

Ethan: — What did you say? She, she... I'm unable to utter the words and stand up, pacing back and forth. Liz realizes and starts to speak.

Liz: — Yes, she would rub against me naked, putting her mouth there. I stop speaking, feeling my throat scratch with my words. I hear noises from the other side and Ethan cursing. But I need to get it out, unlike with others whom I always talk to about trivial issues or answer random questions they ask me, now with Ethan, I want to talk. Here now, speaking on a call with someone I've never even seen, I snap out of my thoughts and continue speaking. — You know Ethan, contrary to how I act childishly, I'm very much an adult because the person I loved most in the world took that from me when she went to live with that damned man, when she touched my breasts, when she did those things with him in front of me, when she stuck her fingers inside of me, I hate, I hate her with all the strength of my being. I speak in tears, curled up on the bed.

Ethan: — Liz, all that is in the past now, you need to face it head-on, focus on becoming a strong woman, which you already are. To go through what you went through and still stand is rare. But I'm speaking about focusing on the training and when you're ready, you can put an end to those who caused you so much pain.

We talked for a long time, the subjects varied, turning into many, and before I knew it, we were laughing about something I said. As I spoke with Liz, I asked Lina to charter a jet, to take me to Italy just for the day. I'll only stay three hours in Italy, soon I receive a message that my flight is in two and a half hours. — So, you like horses?

Liz: — Yes, I really wanted to have horses.

Ethan: — Well, that’s not hard to achieve, I promise that as soon as I go to Italy for good, we'll make that happen.

Liz: — Yay!!! I'll be looking forward to that Ethan, now I need to hang up, I have to go to an appointment, bye.

Ethan: — Bye, can I call you later?

Liz: — Yes. I say and hang up.

Ethan: — As I hang up, I feel a great void. I rush to my room to grab a change of clothes and my phone's portable charger. As I'm descending the stairs, I see my duplicate enter with my other brother, my duplicate looks at me and immediately knows something is wrong, he comes over to me.

Henry: — What's happening? I ask, seeing in my brother's gaze the unease, anger, and knowing he wants to blow someone's brains out.

Ethan: When I open my mouth to reply, Lorenzo, my other brother, approaches, asking the same. I explain everything to them, and here we are, the three of us landing in Italy, only our parents know we're here. We head directly to the mafia headquarters, and the first face I see is our father's, with his eyebrows raised, asking where Amanda and Afonso are? I ask my father after giving him a brief hug. Mr. Vincenzo just looks at Nina, who looks at me and walks in front of me.

Nina: — Here, he's free, no handcuffs.

Ethan: She says, giving me a challenging look. But when she looks into my eyes, I see her swallow hard, I'm sure they're black as night and here now stands mafioso Ethan. I enter, and the man looks at me, frightened. — Where's all your bravery now? Or do you only have the courage to act tough against children? I speak and pull him by the collar of his shirt, delivering a punch. He stumbles back, and I land another punch. Come on, won't you fight back? I'm ruthless, I won't kill you today only because it's not for me that you should die. I beat him so much I almost killed him, then I walk to the room where that monster is. I've never hit a woman, but she doesn't even deserve to be called a woman. I enter her office and slam the door, grab her by the arms and lead her to a torture room, handcuff her hands to the ceiling, and grab a whip, starting the lashes. — This is for you to remember the monster you are, the coward you were. She was your daughter, for God's sake. The woman screams and screams, and I, without any mercy, whip her, watching the blood flow down her body until she faints. I grab a bucket of coarse salt and throw it on her, awakening her to screams. I leave there, meeting my mother in the corridor who hugs me tight without a word, we leave there to where my father and brothers are.

Vincenzo: — What did she tell you? What made you come here?

Ethan: — I believe she wouldn't want me to tell you, but you need to know to be able to help her. I tell them everything, leaving my mother furious. After a while, we leave there heading to the jet, our parents accompanied us.

Isis: — What's happening? Ethan, I know you, and there's something more in your gaze. I speak, and he stares, letting out a long sigh and speaks with a glow in his eyes, the same I saw in Liz's eyes when she told me Ethan called her earlier. But his answer truly impressed me.

Ethan: — I made a call today, a call that made me certain that on the other end of the line was my other half. I fell in love the moment I heard her say "Hello". I speak, and my mother beams with a beautiful smile.

Liz: It's been exactly three years and a month since Dominic and Samantha rescued me. Since then, I've been living a princess-like life surrounded by people who protect, care for, and above all, love and respect me. When I dealt with those who caused me so much pain, I thought I would have overcome everything in my life, but I haven't. At the construction company where I used to work, there was a day when a coworker, one of the few I had allowed to get close to me, misunderstood our relationship and kissed me while I tried to pull away, his hand inappropriately touched my bottom, which sent me into panic. I kicked him in the groin and ran to Lais's office in desperation; my body was shaking, and the memories resurfaced powerfully after three years. It took me two weeks to be able to leave my room, and that was only possible when Ethan came from Oxford. He's the only one I can truly express my feelings to, the only one who can pull me out of the darkness and into the light. It goes without saying that Ethan took care of the guy, and I haven't returned to the construction company since, now working only from the fortress. I snap out of my thoughts and call for my mother, wanting to discuss something I haven't shared with Ethan in its true depth, despite it consuming me. "Mom, may I come in?" I ask, knocking on the door of her office at our house before peeking my head inside.

Isis: "Of course, my dear, come in," I reply, watching Liz enter hesitantly.

Liz: "Is Dad here? I didn’t see him arrive," I say, approaching him. He kisses me on the forehead, and then I move to hug my mother.

Vincenzo: "I need a shower. I'll be upstairs if you need me," I say before leaving.

Isis: "Come here," I motion, sitting on the sofa and patting my lap. Liz lies down, resting her head on my lap, and I start to stroke her hair. "Now, tell me what’s troubling you."

Liz: "Mom, there’s something I’ve felt for a long time," I start, and she looks at me, signaling me to continue. Taking a deep breath, I proceed. "I think I love Ethan the way you love Dad, and it’s overwhelming me, especially after being apart for so long. It's been eight months since I've seen him."

Isis: "Wait, aren’t you two dating?"

Liz: "No, we’ve never been anything more than friends, maybe a bit more, but we’ve never crossed the line beyond hugs and affectionate gestures. Ethan has always been there for me. Since we started talking on the phone, my feelings for him have been quite different from those I have for you and my brothers," I sigh deeply.

Isis: "But?" she prompts, sensing there is more I want to say.

Liz: "I’m afraid to tell him and find out he doesn’t feel the same. And what scares me the most is not being able to advance physically, to kiss him, to be touched by him. I’ve dreamed of it, and in my dreams, I can’t manage it," I confess, as a tear rolls down my cheek.

Isis: "First, you have to confront your fears. Let things happen and face the obstacles without giving up. Nothing is bigger than your will and your desire. Don’t let fears and your body's negative reactions take control of your life."

Liz: "Thank you, Mom." We continue to talk about it for a while, and all I wish for is that my fears and traumas could be as easily resolved as our conversation. However, ever since that guy touched me, the nightmares have returned, plaguing me night after night with memories of my past. Only Ethan knows about this; whenever I have these dreams, I call him, and just his voice is capable of calming me down.

In England…

Ethan: My phone rings as soon as I get home, and I answer it to hear the voice I love so much. Seeing Liz at her fifteenth birthday party only confirmed what I already knew, that I love her with all my soul. But Liz is still just a fifteen-year-old girl, laden with traumas and pains that I intend to heal, one by one. "Hey, little one," I say as I pick up the call.

Liz: "Are you busy? I miss you," I say in a whiny tone. It's been exactly six months since I last saw Ethan because he was on an internship, and in the end, he and the others are coming to Italy for good. I drift back to the present upon hearing his voice that for so long was faceless, making my heart flutter.

Ethan: "I miss you too. Today was busy, but it was my last day at college. Now we just need to get organized and we'll be there in two days."

Liz: "I'm looking forward to it. How’s our brother Henry? He seemed off when we spoke earlier today."

Ethan: "Little one, we’re just sorting out our things, it’s been hectic. I need to hang up; I’m in the shower," I lie.

Liz: "Oh, sorry." I feel nervous upon hearing he's in the shower, imagining his body and feeling a warmth I always feel near him. "I’ll wait for your call, bye," I say, quickly hanging up, nervous.

Henry: "Why don’t you just propose to her already? Though I guess with her, you’d need to start with dating," I say to my twin, who has been quite distracted lately.

Ethan: I let out a defeated sigh, realizing I need to take the next step. Since first speaking to Liz, she has become my world, and I haven’t looked at another woman in three years and 26 days, not that I'm counting. But the calluses on my hands from self-pleasure serve as a reminder with each shower of how much Liz has grown over time, making me desire her more each day. "Yes, it’s time, and I’ll do that today, though I'm not sure how it will pan out."

Henry: "You'll need to be patient, that much is clear. But I believe that won’t be an issue for you, who have changed so much since meeting her. I don’t know if I could be as patient. You remember how insatiable we were at eighteen, surrounded by women. I can tell you I’m still the same, while you're knocked out. But, as our father says, love is well worth it. I’m just praying my love takes a long time to show up because I still want to enjoy life." I hear my cousin laughing from an armchair nearby.

Vitor: "If I were you, I'd keep quiet," he chuckles. "You might end up even more patient than your twin."

Jade: "You guys are ridiculous. I can't wait to see each one of you head over heels just like my Lorenzo, Dominic, and Johnny. Now, take care of the kids; I need to rest."

Henry: "And you, Samantha, Elizabeth, Eva, Laura, Luana, Victoria, and Jenny. You’re all just as ridiculously in love as they are," I admit, feeling a genuine sense of missing the others.

Jade: "I feel it too. We might be growing apart, but we’re still happy, and that’s what matters. Now, excuse me while I rest during our flight. I give Lorenzo a kiss and head to one of the plane's bedrooms."

Ethan: With Jade gone and left to deal with the energetic little ones, my brother content with his family, and Lorenzo and I as different as Henry and I are identical, yet he also shares a likeness with our brother Dominic, it strikes me how none of us, not even our sister Elizabeth, really resemble one another completely. "Are you sure about moving to Sonho Verde next week?" I ask Henry.

Henry: "Yeah, Sonho Verde is just a two-hour drive, and I’ve heard there are some newcomers there," I say, winking at him.

Ethan: "Mom is going to kill you; behave yourself. Remember when you were sixteen and got involved with several women there? She found out and thought you were only interested in women," I laugh.

Henry: "Don’t remind me," I chuckle. "Dad gave me a serious punishment, and you were no saint either, being involved with all the female soldiers at the mafia headquarters and in the residential complex. We were terrible. The only saints among us were Lorenzo and Dominic, who married the only women they ever loved."

Lorenzo: "And I have no regrets. I am a very fulfilled man with Jade and our two little ones. I’m sure Dominic feels the same."

Ethan: We talked for hours and only stopped when the tires of our plane touched the ground. Upon disembarking, we were greeted by the proud looks of our parents - literally, Vincenzo, Vitor, John, and Raul. My nieces, Anne and Pietro, rush to their grandparents. Soon we're arriving at our homes; we all have our own, except Liz still lives with our parents. Dinner will be at my father's house. The last time I was here was when we lost our grandmother, two months after losing our grandfather. None of the four are with us anymore; Grandmother Amelia was the first to leave us, then Mateo. Perhaps the ones who suffered the most from the losses were our uncles, Paola and Vitor; to them, each loss was an unparalleled blow, and it took them a long time to smile again. I'm pulled from my thoughts by Ryan entering my room.

Ryan: "Let's go for a walk. Dinner will be at my parents' house, it'd be suspicious at yours with Liz around." I hope you two make it official today. To be honest, I always thought you two had something going on, but it wasn't until that jerk grabbed her that I realized there was never anything between you.

***

Liz: "Have you seen, mom?" I shout from the top of the stairs, where I remembered my phone. I know how long these dinners can take and I don't want to fall asleep before hearing Ethan's voice. I go downstairs and leave with my parents. I don’t know why, but as we get closer to my Aunt Lais's house, I feel nervous, my heart racing. Before the doors open, I hear the bustling sounds. "Mom, have they arrived?" I ask, and she shrugs. I hurry through the door and, when I reach the gourmet area, there he is, muscular, with his wet hair falling over his forehead. He smiles at me and I at him. Breathless, I follow my instincts and run, jumping into his arms. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

Ethan: "If I had told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, little one," I say, trying to control my body. Liz had never jumped around my waist like that before.

Mateo: "Hey, what about us? Don’t we get a hug?" I say, pouting.

Lis: "Oh my God, I'm so sorry," I apologize, hugging all my cousins and siblings. Silence was an impossibility among us, not just because of the many children, but also because we adults chatted, catching up on everything. The wonderful dinner that Sara and Paola prepared with Lais’s help was fantastic. Our godmothers are exceptional cooks and they love preparing meals for the family. I make my rounds saying goodbye to everyone. "Ethan, could you walk me home?" I ask, and he readily agrees. We head towards my, in a way, our house.

Ethan: "Liz," I call her almost in a whisper, gathering courage to start a conversation that would change the course of our lives.

Liz: "Yes," I say, sitting down on the couch next to Ethan. He turns to me and holds my hand.

Ethan: "Liz, I never told you but three years and a month ago, I made a call to the person who would become my everything, the most important person in my life. My other half. Unfortunately, this person had too many wounds and at that moment, I couldn’t declare my feelings; I needed to help her above anything else. But today is the day to declare my love for you, to tell you how much I love you, and it's not like a sister or a friend. I love you like a man loves a woman, just as my father loves my mother. I stand and, holding your hands, I kneel, opening a box with a ring inside, and say, 'Liz, will you be my girlfriend?'"

Liz: My heart misses every beat, leaving me breathless and trembling. "Yes, I will." With great effort, I hold his face and kiss him.

Ethan: Our kiss is calm, perhaps the most innocent kiss I've ever received from anyone, but it's at the same time pure and filled with love. My hands were eager to explore her body, but I restrained them, knowing I have to take things slowly.

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A note from the author...

Enjoy and comment a lot, I love reading your thoughts. 🍀😘

The months that followed were happy, Ethan didn't pressure me, but I know that this almost childish relationship needs to change. It became clear to me when yesterday, after a few kisses, Ethan tried once again to move his hands down my body and I reacted as if he were an abuser. I snap out of my thoughts as the elevator opens on the floor of the presidency, where Ethan shares the position with Lais, our godmother, who will retire soon along with Dom, the four couples moved to Sonho Verde to live a quieter life. I push my thoughts aside and stop in front of the presidency door, knock, and enter to find not Renata but a beautiful woman with a deep neckline sitting next to Ethan, both with several papers in hand. I feel rage consuming me.

Ethan: Liz, come sit here, what's the reason for this sudden visit? I say with a smile, extending my hand to her as she looks directly at my secretary. "Miss Fox," I say, and she immediately stands up, understanding what I want.

Fox: - Miss Denaro, excuse me, I will file these documents.

Liz: - Seriously, your secretary works with such a deep neckline? I say pouting, sitting next to Ethan.

Ethan: - What, jealous? I say with a smirk.

Liz: - Don't laugh, it's not funny, I say, giving him a playful tap on the shoulder. I receive a peck on the lips and then Ethan stands up and places the papers on the table, leaning against it and crossing his legs. He was looking at me but seemed to be in an internal struggle, his eyes lost in a place on me that was not my eyes. I walk up to him, trying to be a bit bold. I intertwine my arms around his neck and kiss him, the kiss was gentle and soon became intense, my tongue seeking entrance, which he granted, and I felt my body burning. I run my hands down his arms to his hands and feel him gripping them tightly on the sides of the table, I take his hands and bring them to my waist.

Ethan: I was in an internal battle, trying not to get an erection in front of Liz, which becomes increasingly difficult every day, when all my body wants is to feel her, to taste her, and my hands for more than three years have been a consolation that my body has long rejected. I beg my control completely when during the kiss I grip the table tightly, trying to contain the impulse of my body. Liz put my hands on her waist. My cock throbbed, getting hard, my hand squeezed her waist tightly, pulling her closer to me, and the other hand went to her nape, Liz did not complain, but when my hand went down to her butt, Liz pushed me with all her strength.

Liz: Bad memories hit me hard as soon as I felt something hard touching my stomach, the desperation inside me only increased, it was something I couldn't control. Feeling his hand move down to my butt was the last straw. I pushed him with all my strength, taking two steps back and seeing his member, for a few seconds I looked at it with horror in my eyes, regretting it as soon as my eyes met Ethan's disappointed gaze. "Ethan, I didn't..." I start, reaching a hand to his face but I am interrupted by him.

Ethan: - Don't say anything, Liz, I went too far, I say, kissing her forehead. - Now I have to go to a meeting outside. I say and hear a knock on the door and authorize entry.

Fox: - I'm sorry, Mr. Denaro, but it's time for us to go to our meeting.

Ethan: - Just a minute, Miss Fox. I say, she nods and leaves us alone again. - Come on, let's go, I say, already picking up my briefcase and phone, reaching out to hold Liz's back, but then pulling back. It's been two months and six days since we started dating, and honestly, I don't know if I can bear Liz looking at me like I'm a monster every time I try to go beyond a kiss. I can't even touch her, four months and I've never even touched her breasts, today we definitely go back to square one. I release a frustrated sigh.

Fox: - Mr. Denaro, we have arrived.

Ethan: Ah, I'm sorry, let's go. Besides everything I'm going through, there's still the secretary who I've noticed trying to charm me, but I'll put her in her place at the first opportunity.

Liz: — I arrive home, with a heavy heart, how can I be so unhappy, how can I? I take a bath and change clothes, I go down to the garage. I grab the keys to my car. — I need you to accompany me and let my father know I'm going to Sonho Verde. I tell the soldier and get into my car, slowly driving so the soldiers have time to catch up with me before I leave the condominium. It doesn't take long and two SUVs catch up with me and signal that they will accompany me. We arrive in less than two hours at high speed, I go to the bay and ask them to seal my Nico, a black Maremmano horse, my darling, docile and intelligent, I saddle him and ride him around the track, tears inadvertently streaming down my face as I don't see my grandparents there, they were always my audience. After a race around the farm, I pass by Samantha's vineyard, she has been dedicated to making wines for a year and a half now and she is truly dedicated, I return to the main house, today I will sleep there.

Ethan: — Hi mom. I say as I answer the phone.

Isis: — Where are you? Liz is going to spend the night at Sonho Verde, did something happen?

Ethan: — I'm going home, I arranged to meet my brother at the club at seven before that place gets crowded, as for Liz, let's say we're back to square one where I think we never left. I say and I hear her sigh.

Isis: — Are you going there? I ask and a silence falls.

Ethan: — Not this time, mom, I'm tired of calming Liz all the time, I also need to breathe, I need someone to talk to, seeing Liz look at me like I'm an abuser wasn't easy for me, especially when that look came for a second time and I don't think it will be the last.

Isis: — I understand, son, I will go there, the hard part is knowing that overcoming this is in her hands and not mine. I say and hang up, then call Vincenzo. — Love, our son needs you, he's meeting Henry later at the club.

Vincenzo: — Alright my little bunny. I say letting out a long sigh, something to do with Liz?

Isis: — Yes, it's hard for them. I'm going to Sonho Verde, Liz will stay there.

Vincenzo: — Okay, I'll go after talking to Ethan.

Isis: — Were you unable to sleep without your little bunny?

Vincenzo: — Of course not, do you really think I'll sleep without getting deep into you?

Isis: — Haha, naughty, go, your son needs you.

Henry: — Finally, we were almost leaving and giving up on having a conversation with you today.

Ethan: — You changed the meeting place at the last minute.

Henry: — You should thank me, bro, not complain, meeting at that club today would have been torture for you, believe me. You have no idea how many beautiful women arrived at that place and I'm tempted to end my night there. — Now let's leave that behind and get to the point. What happened or didn't happen this time?

Ethan: — Liz started looking at me like I'm a rapist, a damn rapist, you don't know how much that look hurt me, I say and drink the tequila the bartender poured for me on the counter.

Henry: — What a mess, my brother, I don't think this is going to work out, but maybe love is not enough for her to overcome this, or maybe she is just grateful to you for always being there to help her. Look, I'm not an expert in this, but our father can help you or Raul, Uncle Victor they are experienced in this. One thing I can tell you for sure: if Liz doesn't make an effort to overcome this, it won't work out. Our father told me that she hasn't been to the psychologist for a long time. Which is bad, Liz is also my sister and I'm really worried about both of them. You...

Ethan: — Wait, it's our father, I say as I see my father's name on the phone screen vibrating on the counter. — Yes, Mr. Denaro. I say and hear his smile on the other end of the line.

Vincenzo: — Where are you?

Ethan: We're at a bar.

Vincenzo: - Send me the location, I'm on my way.

Ethan: - Ok. He says and hangs up. - I'm sure our mother called him, he's coming here. We stayed there talking for a while and soon our father comes in, looking imposing as if he's the almighty of the place, women look at him with mischievous smiles, but my father doesn't even know how to look in any direction other than where my mother is.

Vincenzo: - So what are you guys drinking?

Henry: - We're having a tequila, dad, I say and signal to the waiter. - Bring a shot of your best whiskey and you two pay the bill because I'm going to have fun at that club tonight with my cousins. I say, drink the rest of my drink, pat my brother and father on the back and leave.

Ethan: - Dona Isis called you, didn't she?

Vincenzo: - Yes, she's worried about your relationship with Liz, I confess I am too, I see that you guys are still at the starting point and it's hurting you, son, I wouldn't want to talk about these things with you because Liz is also my daughter, even though she came into our lives in adolescence, she was the best thing that ever happened to us and I love her as much as I love each of you. And honestly, you need to take action and...

Ethan: - I stood there with my mouth open listening to my father speak about what he thinks I should do. I don't know how this will work out but when my father starts justifying that whole plan, it starts to make sense.

Vincenzo: - Liz needs to fight against these fears and that fighting spirit needs to come from her.

Ethan: - Alright dad, I know what I have to do. I say and let out a long sigh. Feeling defeated as I have been in the past few days, but I have made a decision.

Vincenzo: - Son, be prepared in case Liz doesn't seek help, and if that happens we'll find the best solution and you'll have to distance yourself from Liz for good, I know all the traumas she has, but I can't let you sacrifice yourself alone, because I know that living the way you are both now, you will both be unhappy.

Note from the author...

Guys, this book will be brief, because I didn't want to overlook Liz's traumas, overcoming them is not easy. Only those who have experienced abuse know that. So here, there will be very little about the mafia, but in the following books, yes, there will be a lot about the mafia.

Enjoy and comment a lot 🍀😘