Chapter 7 - VINCENT'S SISTER
Vincent ordered a DNA test.
Emma called him a coward.
He accepted that.
She called him worse things after he took her phone away because someone had been tracking it.
He accepted those too.
What Vincent could not accept was how quickly Emma expected him to leave.
Every morning she packed her backpack.
Every night she slept with her shoes beside the bed.
On the fourth day, Vincent found her stealing bread from the kitchen.
There were six chefs in the house.
Emma still hid food.
Vincent said nothing.
The next morning, a small cabinet appeared in her bedroom.
It was filled with crackers, fruit, bottled water, and chocolate.
No note.
Emma knew who had done it.
She hated him a little less.
The DNA results arrived Friday.
99.98 percent probability of a half-sibling relationship.
Vincent read the paper twice.
Then he walked into the garden.
Emma was sitting beside Isabella.
He handed her the results.
Emma read one line.
“So?”
Vincent blinked.
“So?”
“You have my DNA. Congratulations.”
Isabella covered a smile.
Vincent sat opposite Emma.
“My father was your father.”
“Apparently.”
“That makes me your brother.”
“Half.”
“Emma.”
“What?”
Vincent looked helpless.
Isabella began laughing.
Vincent glared at his wife.
“This is amusing?”
“A little.”
Emma looked at Vincent.
“What happens now?”
He frowned.
“What do you mean?”
“Where are you sending me?”
The question destroyed the laughter.
Vincent stared at her.
“I'm not.”
“You have to.”
“No.”
“People don't just keep children.”
“You are my sister.”
“You met me four days ago.”
“You jumped into the ocean for my wife.”
“That was stupid.”
“Yes.”
Emma glared.
Vincent continued.
“You are rude.”
“So are you.”
“Suspicious.”
“You have armed guards.”
“Reckless.”
“You're literally a Romano.”
Isabella laughed again.
Vincent ignored her.
“You are also my sister.”
Emma looked away.
“That doesn't mean you want me.”
Vincent became silent.
Then he said the one thing Emma never expected.
“I don't know how to be your brother.”
She looked at him.
“But I would like the opportunity to learn.”
Emma's eyes burned.
Before she could answer, the garden windows exploded.
Tony shouted.
Vincent threw Emma to the ground.
May you like
Gunfire ripped through the estate.
The Harbor Circle had stopped hiding.
