Grinded (The Invincibles 3)

“What’s this?” My mum came in and sat on the other side of me.

“Miles is abusing his painkillers,” said Lily, pointing to the bag in the same way she had with my father.

I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t for my mother to take my hand in hers and say, “Of course he is, Lily.”

My sister’s mouth hung open in the same way I’m sure mine did.

“What we must do now is help him find better ways of managing it.”

My head snapped up when I heard a knock on the front door. “Who’s that?”

“I told you, Miles,” said Lily. “Pia is here.”

I ran my hand through my hair. When Lily started for the stairs, I called out to her. “Let me, Lil.” I stood and rounded the corner to find my sister staring at me with wide eyes. “Whatever you’re afraid I’ll do, I won’t.”

10

Pia

It had been two years since My

los kicked me out of his hospital room. Two years since I sat by his bedside and watched him sleep without him knowing I was there.

In that time, I’d finally graduated, with a degree in viticulture and enology with an emphasis on wine business and marketing.

Once I reached my degree-level classes, I was surprised by how much I already knew just from growing up at Valentini. So many practices I’d watched my father implement, by intuition alone, were applied principles of my education.

It had also been as long since my papà died. The doctors said he’d had a heart attack, but I think it was more that his heart was broken. Day after day, he’d sit on the terrazza and look out over his beloved vineyards, knowing he’d never walk them again.

As hard as it was for me to admit, Paolo had been a godsend, and while Valentini was still struggling, at least we hadn’t gone bankrupt.

Since I returned from college, I’d taken over most of the day-to-day operations while also trying to come up with alternative income streams for Valentini. Paolo checked in often, offering his help, but so far, I hadn’t needed it. He was also relentless in his romantic pursuit of me. I knew each time I turned him down, he was hurt, but I couldn’t think about things like dating now. I had too much to do to make sure my family’s livelihood remained viable.

When Lily invited me to come this weekend, I hesitated, but Lucia convinced me the short break would do me good. She said that Matteo would be visiting, and if anything came up, he would be there to help.

My cousin and Lucia spent as much time as they could together. After my father died, there was less housework to be done at Valentini, so she wasn’t there as often. I’d even suggested to Nonna Carina that she didn’t have to work every day, but she and Nonna Bella still arrived at Valentini every morning to take care of my mamma and me.

I’m here for Lily. The mantra had played over and over in my mind since I stepped off the plane and now, as I stood outside the Stone residence, willing myself to walk up to the front door just like I had the first time I visited.

Finally, after several minutes, I forced myself to take a few more steps, raised my hand, and knocked.

The last person I expected to see when the door opened was Mylos. I covered my heart with my hand and stared into his beautiful brown eyes.

“Hi.”

“Pia, come in.”

“I’m not intruding?”

He smiled, nearly melting my heart. “You’re an invited guest. You’d hardly be intruding.”

I took several deep breaths and followed him inside.

“Is your family at home?” I asked as he took my coat and hung it in the closet.

“They’re upstairs.”

“Oh.” I bit my bottom lip and winced.