Bound by Fire: Burning desire (#2)
Chapter 13

Lisa p.o.v.

Screaming I sat up on the bed. Cursing I stand up as I make my way to the bathroom. Ever since I’ve been sleeping alone the nightmares come more often. In some cases more horrid. I’m thankful I don’t remember most of them once I’ve woken up or I wouldn’t be able to cope with them. I step into the shower and let the cold water wash over me as I attempt to calm my breaths. Once I feel the headache fading a bit I step out of the shower.

I didn’t want to go back to bed yet. As soon as I fall asleep the nightmares start again. So I wander around the house a bit till I end up on the patio in the back. It had a swing set there so I sat down. Not long after I hear the door creaking open. Ida walked out with a thick shawl wrapped around herself.

“Can’t sleep?”

“Nope.”

“Here. Maybe this will calm you a bit.” She handed me a cup of hot tea.

Ever since I’ve been wandering around the house because of my nightmares we had developed this night routine where she would bring me something to drink and we just enjoy the silent night as we stared at the stars. Sometimes we talked about random things and I would end up telling her things I never told to anyone. Some I was even afraid to say out loud.

“Is this the life you always envisioned for yourself?” I don’t even know why I asked that question.

“No. Hiding from the mafia was never one of my goals.” She had a weary smile on her lips.

“What did you want to do?”

“I wanted to own a small diner in my home town and serve the locals and my friends with delicious home cooked meals.” She stared absently in front of her with a glint of sadness in her eyes. “But I guess life never works out how you plan it.” She sighed.

“And you?” she asked after a while.

“Hmm?”

“What did you want in life?”

“It never mattered.” I say bitterly.

“Maybe it didn’t before but it can now. What were your hopes and dreams before you found out your family’s secrets.”

Letting out a heavy breath I stared at the rim of my tea cup.

“I was pretty young when the truth came out. My parents never really hid it from me. They made it quite clear what my role in that household was. Nobody cared…” I shrugged.

“I’m sure your mother would have cared.” I scoffed hearing that.

“I don’t think me being alive or not would make much difference to her.”

“Sweetheart I’m not talking about your dad’s wife I’m talking about your mother.” I frowned hearing that. “Oh my they haven’t told you, have they?”

“I have no clue what you’re talking about Ida.”

She stood up excusing herself and returned shortly with a photo album in her hand.

“This is your birthmother, Lilly Brooks.”

I blinked staring at the woman in the photo. Where the hell was this coming from?

“I know you have a lot of questions. I hope I can at least give you some answers.”

“Can you explain to me what you mean when you say this is my birthmother?”

“Your father had a fair share of affairs.” She sighed. That, I did know. He wasn’t the most loyal when it came to relationships. “His wife Cat didn’t give it much thought because she knew she had given birth to the heir Alveres wanted so no one could take her place from her. Things changed when he met Lilly. He liked her beauty and wanted to make her, his. He wanted to make her one of his mistresses but she didn’t want that. He went so far to kidnap her to keep her close to him. I don’t know what exactly happened between them but after some time he let her go. I knew your mom before our lives got messed up with these selfish egoistical men. She wanted to come to me for help but I couldn’t. I was struggling with Abram and Ace. So I asked a friend to give her shelter for a while. I didn’t know what was going on till she called me one day. She wanted me to take you away so your father couldn’t get his hands on you, but nothing went how we planned. Before I could get to her your father found her and took you away.” She was silent. It was so much to take in in such a short time. Suddenly somethings started to make sense.

“Where is she?”

“She passed away while giving birth.”

This conversation was not something I expected. Ida could see I was struggling to come up with something to say so she just held my hand and we sat in silence.

My mind had no clue how to process the information that was just thrown to me.

“Maybe you should get some rest. We’ll talk more about this when you’re ready.” Ida said after the long stretch of silence. Ida stood up as she excused herself.

“Ida you can’t throw information like that on me and walk away…” I whined and followed her.

I reached her but before I could say anything I noticed a movement outside the window.

“Do you have a safe room where no one can enter?” I whispered not taking my eyes off the figure outside the window.

“Uhm yes why?”

“Good take Aiden and lock yourselves in. Don’t come out till you hear from me.” She stared at me for a moment. “Hurry up!!”

Making sure they are safe, I grab my gun from my room and hide it under my clothes. I walk around the house trying to see if I can spot anything else out of the ordinary outside. It was too quiet. It wasn’t time to provoke whoever was outside. I was about to make another round when I heard noises upstairs…