The Sicilian's Bought Cinderella. Michelle Smart

himself grimly. They were strangers to him and would remain that way. A shared bloodline did not make them family and, even if it did, Dante had had enough of family.

      He’d loved his mother with all his boyish heart and she’d abandoned him. He’d been close to his grandparents but their constant sniping and bad-mouthing of each other, and their respective expectations that he would take sides, had been a drain. His extended family were just as bad. He’d adored his father. Salvatore had been a fantastic if unconventional father when Dante had been small, father and son always there for each other through all the ups and downs life had thrown at them; and now he’d learned that beneath that closeness had been the most monstrous of secrets.

      His father had been a gambler and a playboy but Dante would have trusted him with his life.

      Turned out his father had been the greatest liar of them all.

      Why embrace a sister when every other member of his bloodline had lied, abandoned or emotionally abused him?

      No more. He was better on his own.

      He hit the confirmation button then went through the additional security needed to transfer such a large sum. Anti-money-laundering regulations were the bane of the honest businessman’s life. ‘Done.’

      He held the phone for her to see. ‘The money will credit your sister’s account by the end of the working day.’

      She peered at it with a furrowed brow. ‘You transferred two hundred thousand?’

      He nodded tersely. ‘I’ve upheld my end of the deal. Now we can go.’