by Jade, Ella
Nothing made sense. Why would he do this to me?
“Angelique?” My father came into the foyer as I wiped my eyes. “What are you doing on the floor?”
“Oh, I...” I rubbed my nose on the back of my hand. “I’m having a bad day.”
“What’s wrong?” He gazed out the window. “I thought I saw Gianni in the driveway.”
“He was here.” I picked myself up off the floor. “He’s gone now.”
“What happened?”
“He... ah...” I started crying again. “Broke up with me.”
“What?” My dad hugged me. “Why would he do that?”
“I don’t know.”
“He didn’t give you a reason?”
“Not really.” I sobbed into his shoulder. “He didn’t make any sense. He said he was doing what was right but he couldn’t tell me why. I don’t know what’s going on.”
“Oh, you poor girl. I’m sorry.”
“You were right.”
“I didn’t want to be right but I knew he wasn’t being sincere.”
“Dad, please.” I broke out of his hold. “Not now.”
“You’re right but can I say something?”
“I don’t want you to bash him.” It was bad enough my dad saw this coming. I couldn’t handle much more. I didn’t want to be reminded of what I fool I’d been.
“I won’t.” He nodded. “I’m sure he had his reasons, I’m just sorry he hurt you.”
“What did you want to say?” I wanted to go upstairs and be alone.
“Whatever his reasons are, this is about him and not you.” He wiped the stray tear from my cheek. “You’re perfect. He doesn’t deserve you.” He held up his hand to stop my protest. “That’s not bashing him. I’m telling the truth. He’s not worthy of you and he never was. I’m your father so I know this to be true. You’re kind, beautiful, and intelligent. You’re stronger than him. You’re stronger than this. Don’t let him destroy you.”
He already has. “Thanks, Dad.” I headed for the staircase. “I want to go upstairs. I have a headache. I need to be alone.”
“I’ll have Erica bring you some tea.”
“Thanks.”
I climbed the stairs in a cloud of confusion. Yesterday we were in love. He wanted me to move in with him. All the promises he made were solid. Why would he do that if he never intended to stay with me? What made him change his mind today?
Chapter Seventeen
GIANNI
Misery
I sat on the floor staring at Angelique’s side of the closet. I remembered how excited she was when Kendal had delivered the clothes. She wanted to return the shoes because she thought they were too expensive. How ridiculous. She’d taken them and a few pieces she’d wanted to wear to work but left the other items for when she stayed here. I wanted to pack the remaining clothes and send them to her because she should have them. I thought better of it because I didn’t want to add insult to injury. The pain in my gut intensified when I thought about what I had done to her.
She was so brave when I ended our whirlwind relationship. Was that an act? Was she suffering as much as I was? It had only been a few days but it seemed like years. She’d become an important part of my life in such a short amount of time. It was impossible to imagine not holding her again, never feeling her lips against mine or never waking up next to her.
“Gianni,” my mother called from the foyer. “I brought you dinner.”
She had stopped by every night this week with a hot meal. If it wasn’t for my mother, I’d probably be drinking beer and eating crackers. I had no desire to do anything. Not if it didn’t include Angelique.
“I’ll leave it in the warming drawer.” She had done the same thing each night but I hadn’t gone down to see her.
Getting up from the floor, I decided it was time to face my mother. She was worried about me and each day I didn’t come downstairs only added to her stress. I’d been causing my family anxiety all week. Sal and Vince stopped by every morning. Santino called every afternoon. Dominick and my father were here during the day briefing me on the construction company but understood I needed time to get myself together.
“Mom.” I came down the back staircase and greeted her in the kitchen.
“There you are.” She hugged me. “I was starting to worry.”
“Starting?” I arched a brow.
“I’ve been sick over this.” She held me tighter. “I never liked Jack Bruno. Not from the day I met him. How dare he say my son isn’t good enough for his daughter? What does he think this is? Romeo and Juliet?”
“It’s okay.”
“No, it isn’t!” She let go of me. “Poor Angelique. How do you think she feels?”
“I try not to think about it.”
“I’m sorry but this is all unnecessary. I told your father he has to fix this. Mama Stella is furious with him. She says Angelique is—”
“I know.” I didn’t want to go there. “Even if Dad figures this out, Angelique is never going to forgive me.”
“She will,” my mom assured me. “I’ve seen the way she looks at you. She has so much faith in you. I know you love her. Faith, love, hope will all win out. No matter what Jack tries to do, it won’t work.”
“I’m out of faith and hope.”
“Don’t say that.”
“Thanks for bringing dinner.” I kissed her cheek. “Please tell everyone to stop worrying about me.”
“We’re your family. When you hurt, we hurt.” She patted my arm. “Have breakfast with me tomorrow. You need to leave the house. Gia misses you.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Brooding isn’t a good look for you.” She smiled. “I’ll make pancakes.”
“In that case...”
“There’s my boy.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
“You’ll always be the love of my life.” She squeezed my hand. “Your brothers and your father mean everything to me. I want the best for you all.”
“We love you too.”
“I’ll see you in the morning.” She pointed to the counter. “Make sure you eat.”
“I will.” I walked her to the door. “I hope someone is taking care of Angelique too.”
“I’m sure they are.” She stepped onto the porch. “We’ll get this sorted out.”
I hope you’re right. I waved to her as she got into the golf cart she used to get around the property and drove away.
As I went back inside my phone rang with an unknown number. Normally, I’d ignore an anonymous call but it was a New York area code. Maybe it was a client.
“Hello,” I answered.
“Mr. Marchelli?”
“Speaking.”
“This is Mitch from the Lido in downtown Manhattan.”
“Yes, I remember.” He was the bartender at that place where I’d set Leo straight. “What can I do for you?”
“You asked me to inform you if there was ever a problem with Leo.”
“Yeah.” What was the prick up to now? “Is there?”
“I’m not sure but the woman that he assaulted. The one you, well, you remember. The Senator’s daughter.”
“Yes, what about her?” Every muscle in my body tensed when he referred to Angelique.
“She’s here with him.”
“What?” I balled my fist by my side.
“She walked in about five minutes ago. She’s sitting at the bar with him. I don’t know if they’re together or not.”
Son of a bitch!
“Mr. Marchelli?”
“You keep an eye on her. I’ll be there soon.”
What the hell is she thinking?
ANGELIQUE
After work I decided to take the train into the city. It had been a long week and I hadn’t been functioning. I thought maybe a drink in a trendy bar would help me forget Gianni. I shouldn’t have gone alone but no one was around tonight. I picked the Lido because it was close to the train station. They had good food and cool mu
sic. One drink and a meal and I’d be on my way. I wanted to start feeling like myself again.
When I walked in, Leo was sitting at the bar. It had been a couple of months since our incident. He hadn’t bothered me once I started seeing Gianni. I never heard from him after he sent that text calling me a bitch. Leo must have been warned to stay away. I never needed any protection. I had Leo handled before Gianni came into my life. My life! I’m taking it back.
“Can I sit here?” I pulled out the stool next to Leo.
When he looked up from his beer, his eyes widened as he glanced around the bar. “No,” he said. “Sit someplace else. Go find another bar.”
“Really?” I ignored his request and sat down, noting the bartender staring at me. “I just want to have a drink.”
“Here?”
“You don’t own the place,” I reminded him. “I can have a drink.”
“Fine.” He moved his stool away from me. “Don’t bother with me.”
“Why not?”
“Have you forgotten what happened between us?”
“When you stalked me and wouldn’t take no for an answer?” That kind of pissed me off that I didn’t get to tell him what a jerk he was. “How you tormented me with the texts and the calls? Not to mention when you grabbed my arm.”
“I don’t want any trouble.”
“I’m not going to give you any trouble.” I raised my hand but the bartender ignored me. “I just want a glass of wine.” Marchelli wine... I wanted to snuggle on Gianni’s couch and watch a movie while we ate homemade pizza. Stop it!
“You might not but that crazy mob guy will.” He held up his hand. “He broke my hand. It’s still healing. It’ll never be right.”
“Oh.” I knew Gianni had done something to make Leo leave me alone. I thought he had threatened him. I didn’t think he would hurt him. “I didn’t know that.”
“Just leave me alone, okay.” He finished his beer. “I’m sorry for how I treated you. I don’t know why I acted that way. I guess I liked you and when you didn’t reciprocate it made me mad.”
“You can’t go around treating people that way.”
“I realize that, and I’m working on it.” He glanced at his hand. “I want to put it behind me.”
“Are you really sorry?”
“Yes.”
“Then we’ll leave it at that.” I tried to get the bartender’s attention because I really needed a drink. “I feel like he’s ignoring me.”
“Mitch.” Leo flagged the bartender. “The lady would like a drink.”
“Thank you.”
After two glasses of wine and sporadic conversation with Leo, who wanted very little to do with me, I decided my evening out to forget about Gianni was a bust. All I did was sit there and think about how much I loved him.
“Oh, shit.” Leo got off the stool. “Did you call him here to come after me?”
“What?” I looked in the direction of Leo’s frightened stare. “Gianni?”
“I told you I didn’t want trouble.”
“I didn’t even tell him I was here.” How did he know?
Before I had time to process his presence, he stormed over to where we were. People moved out of his way before he even approached. Judging from the scowl on his face, things were not going to go well for Leo.
“Gianni.” I hopped off the stool and placed myself between the two of them. “What are you doing here?”
“What am I doing here?” He tried to step around me but I moved with him. “What are you doing here?”
“Having a drink.”
“With him?”
“No.” Leo shook his head. “She’s not with me. I was here first. She sat next to me.”
“You should’ve left.” Gianni gritted his teeth. “I told you want would happen if I ever caught you around her again.”
“Stop it.” I placed my hand on his chest, trying to settle him down but all I thought about was how I was finally touching him. After days of being apart, he was here.
“You’re going to protect the man who stalked you? The piece of shit who put his hands on you?” The anger in his voice grew more prominent. “He said vile things about you when I confronted him. This is the asshole you want to protect?”
“I’m protecting you.” I glanced around the bar, noting people with their phones taking video. If Gianni went after Leo it wouldn’t take long for the video to go viral. “You don’t have to do anything. We can leave.”
“Maybe I wasn’t clear enough last time,” Gianni said as he stepped closer to Leo. “If I find out this wasn’t a coincidence, that will be the last beer you ever taste. Understood?”
Leo nodded.
“Good.” Gianni reached into his pocket and took out his wallet. He tossed three hundred dollars down on the bar and motioned for Mitch to take it.
“I only had two glasses of wine.”
Gianni ignored me, taking my hand and guiding me out of the bar as customers snapped pictures of us as if we were celebrities. What’s wrong with people?
“Did you just pay off the bartender?” I asked as he hurried us out to the street. “Is that how you knew I was here?”
“It would be in Leo’s best interest if you didn’t come back here.”
“I’ll go where ever I want to go.” I stopped walking, causing him to glare at me with exasperation. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“Don’t challenge me.”
“How dare you?” I yelled. “You dumped me without reason, and now you want to control where I go and who I see?”
“Who you see?”
“You don’t have any right.” The stinging in my eyes happened before I could manage it and then all the days of pain and misery broke loose. Before I knew it, I was crying. “You forfeited that right.”
“I know,” he whispered. “Let me take you home.”
“To your home?” Why did I even ask that?
“No.”
“I’ll call a car.”
“Absolutely not.” He gazed at the window of the bar. “People are still watching to see what’s going to transpire between us. I’d rather not give them a show.”
“Then you shouldn’t have acted so poorly.”
“Let me drive you home.” He sighed and when I really studied his eyes, I saw that they appeared to be as exhausted as mine were. Why was he doing this to us? “Please.”
“Okay.” I wanted to stay strong and be upset with him but I couldn’t because I didn’t believe a word he said when he broke up with me. Something else was at play here. Something bigger than I understood. But what?
Chapter Eighteen
GIANNI
I Can’t Do This
Once we were in the car I tried to calm down. Tried. It didn’t work. I drove out of the city but as I headed back to her house, I couldn’t control my curiosity or my temper. I had to ask her the one question I had no right to ask but I did it anyway. Pulling onto the shoulder of the road, I took a deep breath but it did nothing to stable my rage.
“Did you fucking sleep with him?” I shouted in frustration, possibly fear over what the answer might be but I had to know.
“Why would you ask me that?”
“Because I have to know.”
“No,” she whispered. “Just you.” As she turned her head and gazed out the window her voice was low, almost defeated. “Only you.”
My stiff muscles relaxed because I was satisfied in the knowledge that she still belonged to me. Only me. Selfish bastard.
Before moving back onto the road, I brushed my fingers over hers. Encouraged that she didn’t move away, I took her hand in mine. The remainder of the ride was silent. The whole time I seethed knowing when I dropped her off I’d have to break her heart again.
MY ANGEL MADE THINGS easy for me. Once we arrived at her house, she let go of my hand and got out of the car. No pleading, no questions, and no goodbye. What did that mean? Was she done with me? Yes! I told her I didn’t want her. I told her it was over. W
hat did I expect from her?
Fuck! How was I going to fix this? When I got out of my car, I found Dominick standing on my porch. I hadn’t seen him all day. Maybe he had news about how we could resolve this situation.
“You went to the city without Michael?”
“So?”
“I thought we agreed you were going to be a little more cautious.”
“It’s not me who needs to be cautious,” I snarled. “Are you any closer to diffusing this situation because I’m about to lose my mind.”
“You saw Angelique.”
“She was at that fucking bar with Leo.”
“Michael told me.”
When Dominick sat on the steps, I remembered that night of the hayride. I tried to kiss Angelique in that very spot but she was intimated by me. She trusted me and now...
“I can’t do this.” I paced the porch. “I can’t lie to her. She thinks I don’t...”
“I’m sorry.”
“Are you?”
“What does that mean?”
“You didn’t want Vincenzo with Nadia because you didn’t trust her. You told him he couldn’t trust her and he listened. She got kidnapped because Vince chose his family.” I threw my hands in the air. “Now I have to give up Angelique because her father is threatening us. When does this shit end?”
“It doesn't! Not for us. I won’t apologize for protecting you, Vince or Dad. I’ll protect the whole family and if you don’t like the way I do it, I don’t fucking care.” He stood, appearing more agitated than I’d seen him in a long time. “I’m sorry you had to hurt Angelique but you didn’t have a choice. If Bruno goes to the Feds with what he has on Dad they will never stop. He can’t survive in prison. He has too many enemies. What about Mom? Does she deserve any of this?”
“Sorry.” I understood the pressure Dominick was under. My father relied heavily on him and now he tried to find a way to make this whole situation with Bruno disappear. “I’m frustrated. I love her.”
“I know you do.” He patted my back. “No one is saying you can’t ever be together. We need to find something on her bastard father to get him to back off.”