Claire's pov

I turned on my side, trying to get comfortable in my new bed, in my new room, in my new house with my new family, in my new town, in my new country, in my new continent. I saw the letter from my father poking out of the trashcan. This is all too much, I thought to myself as I started to tear-up again. I pulled out the letter knowing sleep wasn't on the horizon.

My beautiful daughter Claire,

I'm so sorry I had to leave before I could say goodbye. It was never my intention to deceive you about our trip to Italy. I know it must be hard for you to understand but it had to be done this way for your safety and the safety of the rest of our family.

Unfortunately, I'm going to be away for awhile, Claire, but I want you to know I'll be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, I've asked your uncle EJ to step in for me and take care of you like I would if I were there. I know this situation isn't ideal as the two of you have never met before. It's going to be a big adjustment for both of you so please be patient, sweetpea.

The much too short time we've had together has been the best year of my life. I know your uncle will feel the same way about the time you're together. You are the bravest, kindest, smartest, most amazing girl, Claire Francesca. Soon your uncle and grandfather will find this out for themselves. They already love you, just give them some time to get to know you.

Your uncle and your grandfather are in charge of you now, Claire. You need to listen to what they tell you to do. I expect you to obey them and treat them with respect. They will discipline you if you misbehave so please be good, sweetpea. I've instructed your uncle to take you over his knee and spank you if need be. I know you don't like to be punished this way so don't give him reason to. Remember, they have your best interests at heart.

I wish things didn't have to be this way, that we didn't have to be apart. I already miss you like crazy, Claire. I love you more than life itself and I would go to the ends of the earth to protect you and keep you safe. Don't ever forget that, il mio dolce angelo (my sweet angel).

I wiped my tears and sighed. You're right, Father, I don't understand why you had to leave and why I have to stay here. Curling up in a ball under the covers, I slipped the letter under my pillow, knowing the lingering scent of my father's cologne is the closest I'm going to get to him in a long, long time.

I woke up around 10:45am and headed down to breakfast in my pajamas. I'm honestly surprised no one woke me up sooner since my uncle and grandfather seem to enjoy getting up at the crack of dawn for no reason. My aunt and uncle were still in the dining room having coffee so I sat down to have breakfast.

"You couldn't be bothered to put clothes on before you eat?" my uncle scolded me.

Before I could answer, my aunt jumped in, "Leave her alone, EJ. She doesn't need to dress formally for breakfast for crying out loud." My aunt gave me a reassuring smile as she patted my knee. "You sound more and more like Father everyday now, Brother."

"You take that back, Sister, and all I'm suggesting is that she comes to the dining room dressed, not in a formal ball gown." My uncle flipped my aunt the bird as he got up to refill his coffee.

I don't think they'd be acting like this if Grandfather was here. It's kind of nice to see them act like normal siblings, not like I would know though, since I'm an only child. I'm just guessing based on how I've seen my friends act around their brothers and sisters when their parents aren't there.

One of the servants brought my breakfast in so I immediately started to eat as I was practically starving. I didn't finish my dinner last night and I haven't had anything since. That was like more than fourteen hours ago.

"Claire, your dining etiquette is appalling. Honestly! Have you no manners? You eat like a barbarian," my uncle said, in a quite offended tone.

"EJ, that's not necessary," my aunt mildly scolded him. Turning to me, she softly said, "Claire honey, chew with your mouth closed please."

"Were you raised in a barn, child?" my uncle asked.

Not knowing he was being facetious, I replied dead seriously, "No, I was raised in a condominium in the city."

My aunt laughed and my uncle tried to hide the smile on his face.

About halfway through my second pancake, my uncle looked at me and said, "As soon as you finish your breakfast, brat, you need to shower and get dressed because your Italian tutor is coming in an hour to start your lessons."

"EJ!" my aunt said sharply.

"What? It's not my idea. Father insists she learn the language," he replied, in way of an excuse.

"That's not what I meant and you know it." My aunt gave her half-brother a dirty look. "Don't call her a brat."

My uncle put his hands up in surrender, saying, "Don't shoot the messenger."

"I don't want to have an Italian tutor and I especially don't want to start lessons today," I protested, pouting and crossing my arms as I slumped down in my seat.

"I don't care if you don't want to, you are going to so stai zitto e fai come ti viene detto (shut-up and do as you are told)." My uncle glared at me.

"I don't know what you said, so there!" I stuck my tongue out at him and sneered.

"That's why you need an Italian tutor, genius," he replied rudely.

"Enough, you two," my aunt admonished us both.

"But we were supposed to go shopping this afternoon," I whined, looking at my aunt. "How long is my stupid lesson, Uncle EJ?"

"Three hours," he replied curtly.

"THREE HOURS!" I shouted, in disbelief and anger. "That'll take all afternoon. By the time I'm done it'll be too late to go shopping cuz all the stores will be closed."

Patting my hand, my aunt said, "Don't fret, love, we'll go shopping another day."

"NO! I don't want to go another day. I want to go today!" I stomped my foot and huffed, having my tantrum.

Standing up to confront me, my 6' 4" uncle towered over me.

"You will have your Italian lesson today, young lady. Your grandfather is holding me accountable to ensure your fluency in the language so quit acting like a whiny, snot-nosed brat and go upstairs and get ready right now before I whip your butt!" he shouted angrily. Red in the face, my uncle pointed to the door as steam came out of his ears.

"FINE!" I yelled, throwing my napkin down and stomping out of the dining room. "I hate you," I added, just before getting out of earshot.

EJ's pov

"You certainly handled that well," my half-sister quipped sarcastically as she took a sip of her coffee.

"You could have backed me up a little Sis, instead of sitting there doing nothing." God she's useless I thought to myself. No wonder Father doesn't want her to take part in the family business.

"The Pips couldn't have backed you up even if you were Gladys Knight," she sassed.

Pointing at the privileged princess in warning I said, "You better watch the way you speak to me Sister. You know how things work in this family and if you don't remember, you'll quickly find out." After speaking my piece, I left to go check on the brat to make sure she was following my direction.

Pausing by her room, the door was shut but I didn't hear the shower running so I knocked.

"What do you want?" she questioned rudely as soon as she opened the door.

"Why aren't you in the shower getting ready? You have less than thirty minutes now until your tutor gets here."

"I don't care. I already told you I don't want to have any stupid Italian lesson today." She glared at me before trying to close the door in my face.

Stopping it with my hand, I entered her room, causing her to backpedal to avoid me.

"And I told you to follow my instructions, or I'd whip your behind. So which is it going to be, little girl? Are you going to do as you're told, or am I going to spank you first then you'll do as you're told?" I squared my stance as I crossed my arms over my chest. She sure as Hell better not challenge me.

Considering her options, she locked eyes with me, remaining stubbornly defiant she returned my glare.

"Get out so I can get in the shower," she dictated quite rudely.

I smirked, knowing she'd fold under pressure, conceding to my authority.

"Wise choice little girl. Be downstairs in twenty-five minutes." I couldn't help feeling a bit of misplaced satisfaction hearing her slam the door after I left. She'll learn her place soon enough.