Hush: Family Secrets by Blue Saffire Read Free Book Online Page A

be like him?” he asks after a moment and clearing his throat.
    “I guess,” I say softly.
    “A part of me knows your uncle is one of the best at what he does. A part of me believed that if you could protect yourself I would never lose you the way I lost your sister and mother. When he convinced me it was best for you I agreed because I had peace in knowing it wouldn’t be so easy to take from me again,” he said as he stopped to turn and look me in the eyes.
    “I think I understand,” I reply with a weak smile.
    “I’ve made too many mistakes. This time I plan to do right by you. I have decided on a match for you,” he pauses again and presses his lips. He looks away from me for a moment causing my unease to grow. His words are cutting through me at this point. He can’t be serious. I was supposed to have more time to get myself together and get out of here.
    “My first choice would have been Uri. It was Uri, but he is just too unpredictable. Uri does what Uri wants. He has taken off without a word. I need someone more stable for you. Someone that understands family,” he turns to look me in the eye now.
    “Raphael has wanted to wed you for a very long time. He has been constant in his intention for you. I will be making it official in three days. You and Raphael are to be engaged,” my father says with all traces of emotion gone.
    “No Papa,” I gasp. “No!”
    “Tina, this is for the best. If Uri can leave so easily without a word than this was not a serious matter to him,” my father says firmly.
    “Then find someone else, anyone else. Don’t do this. You can’t do this. The Giordano family isn’t even at our level for you to be serious. Papa, please !” I plead with him.
    His face is an unchanging mask. “It will be made official in three days. The engagement party will be after your sister’s wedding. You need stability and someone to care for you,” my father says the last part more gently.
    I clamp my mouth shut. I know how important this is to him and the family. Shannon was right neither of us ever really had a choice. I just always liked to think that I did.
    My mind is racing. I can’t marry Raphael Giordano. I hate that man. He makes my skin crawl. I am suddenly furious with Uri. How could he just leave? Why did he just leave? Did I do something wrong?
    I know I haven’t been the most receptive to having him around but he was growing on me and I have started to let my guard down. I am startled and confused by my sudden heartache. I feel my heart calling for Uri and my mind is screaming to know why he just left.
    “Papa,” I whisper. “I think this is wrong. Uri would have been better for me, but if this is what you want,” I turn away quickly as I feel tears building. I haven’t cried in so long I don’t know if I’ll be able to stop once I start.
    “If he were the better choice he would have shown it,” my father says before turning and leaving me in the garden.
    I don’t know when I started to pace. I am floored with the turn of events. I absolutely loath Raphael, I hate the way he looks at me, I hate his smug way of talking to everyone, I hate that he has been so sure this would happen and I hate that my father doesn’t see all this.
    Where the hell is Uri? As that thought sinks in my blood begins to boil. How dare he just walk away? As my mind starts to work overtime a plan locks into place. I am not like Shannon. I won’t take this laying down.
    I already live in one prison. I will not be put in another. Uri has some answers for me and I am going to get them. I have three days and three days will have to be enough because there is no way I am marrying Raphael Giordano.
     
     
     
     
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER Seven
     
    Uncle Valentine came through once again. He was not only able to give me a full file on Uri but he was able to tell me exactly where to find him. I wasted no time at all packing my bag and jumping on a plane. I have already lost a day,