Novel Straight 51_I Ran From My Ex, Straight Into My Best Friend’s Father

51 

 Do you think they’ll do it?” Tatiana looks up at me from her bed, Anally calm enough for me to tuck her in. I lost track of time, listening to her rant and rave, trying to force water down her throat instead of whiskey. I held her hair back twice so she could throw up, then helped her wash up and change into clean clothes.

 She’s a mess, and not her usual messy self. This is a new level of breakdown for her. Even at her worst, she’s always kept it together, at least on the surface. It’s clear she’s cracking straight down the middle, and no one seems to notice. It’s like she can’t be bothered to wash her hair or change her clothes. Even the strongest people have a breaking point, yet that doesn’t mean I’m willing to watch her crash and bur.

 From the day we met in middle school, she’s been the strongest, toughest person I know. Even when I ended up on my ass in a puddle the day I transferred in, with the school’s biggest bully standing over me with his fists hanging at his sides. I was scared and confused, especially since Dad made it sound like this new school would be safe, full of rich kids who’d be a good influence. I shudder to think of the overtime he had to work to afford it.

 Out of nowhere, a blonde tornado came rushing in, shoving him led enough from behind that he ended up sprawled on his hands and knees in an even bigger puddle beside me. She held out her hand to help me up, a smile on her face. After that, she took me to the girls‘ bathroom to clean up, of course not before cursing him out using words I had never heard before.

 She was my hero then, and has been every day since. But even herces need somebody to look after them sometimes. It’s easy to forget that.

 I brush damp curls away from her forehead and try to smile to reassure her. “If your dad said he’ll let him live, that’s what he’ll do. He doesn’t break his promises to you.” That’s one thing I can honestly say without a twinge of guilt. He never breaks his promises to her. He might be an asshole, a liar, and maniptive as all hell, but he’s never not done what he tells Tatiana he’ll do. One thing about nni Rossetti is absolutely true: he loves his daughter more than anything else in his life.

 My attention is brought back to Tatiana. Her eyes are puffy and swollen from crying, and a stray tear rolls down her cheek. “I would never forgive myself if he killed him. He doesn’t get that. You know he’s all fucked up with the way he sees things. It’s revenge. He wants to hurt him for hurting me, except he doesn’t understand. He doesn’t realize I just want to forget him. I can’t do that if I’m reminded that I’m the reason he’s dead.”

 Yes, I do know. I know too well. “He’ll keep his promise to you.” Its the only thing I can say that wouldn’t be aplete lie.

 From what I managed to piece together over the past couple of hours, Christophernded and Roger grabbed him. I can’t pretend to be sorry. The son of a bitch deserves everything he gets. For Tatiana’s sake, I hide my relief that he’s not running around free to ruin somebody else’s life. I only wish that didn’t make me feel like I’m no better than Gianni. I have no right to criticize him if I’m going to be d he got his hands on Christopher, no matter what that bastard did. There’s the way good people act, and then there’s the way Gianni acts. Forgetting that would be a grave mistake.

 “Shhhh, sleep. “I lean down to kiss her forehead. “And don’t worry about Christopher. He’ll be fine.” That le ake a tant lie, mainly since it is. Knowing Gianni, he’ll find some way to keep his promise while doing whatever the hell he wants to do. I saw the murderous rage in his eyes when he looked Roger’s way back at the hotel. There was no misinterpretation. As soon as the truth was revealed, Christopher’s days were numbered, and even though it would hurt Tatiana, I’d never stop him if I had

 the chance.

 Men like Christopher don’t change. I’d be surprised if he didn’t have another girl already, somebody he could use and hurt. It might be wrong to think this way, but nni would be doing the world a favor by killing him. The justice system won’t do anything, even with nni strong–arming them. Christopher’s parents aren’t as wealthy as Gianni, But they have money, so they don’t care. You can’t make someone who thinks they can buy away every problem, see the damage they have done.

 I stay lying beside her. I’m unsure how much time passes, but it’s not long before she sleeps. Her soft snores fill the room, and I check to ensure she has plenty of water and ibuprofen by the bed before tiptoeing out of the room, I’ll wait until I’m at the end of the driveway and maybe even a little further down the road, then request a ride back to the house. I need to get out of here before nni shows up. I’ve already remained too long, and every passing minute prompts tue that I’m pressing my luck.

 None of that really matters, not while knowing how badly Tatiana needed me. I wish I could stay and spend the night with her. Only that would also mean exining to my father where I’ll be, and that’s another train wreck waiting to happen. I don’t need him pulling up in a rage, threatening Gianni. Things would be so much worse if he showed up here. The kind of worse you don’t

 Yet another thing nni lied to me about, or at least neglected to mention; there’s absolutely no way he didn’t realize my father was hunting him like a gazelle. Trying to pin any crime he could on him. He didn’t ever bring it up. I mean, on the one hand, I can see why he might want to spare me.

 “Hey, Caterina, your father’s dead set on putting me behind bars. Let’s fuck.”

 It’s not exactly the best use of forey. Then again, perhaps I would have thought twice about getting involved with him if I knew exactly why my Father never seemed keen on Gianni. It’s no secret he walks on the wrong side of thew. Intuition always told me he did sketchy things for a living. The bombshell my dad dropped on me obliterated everything I thought I knew. The fact that my Dad was utterly aware of it and determined to stop him takes things to a whole other level.

 My father’s obsession with making Gianni pay isn’t just unhealthy it’s terrifying. If he were to discover I’m here, that would be the ultimate betrayal after the knowledge he shared with me. I won’t choose between Gianni and my father, especially when there is nothing to choose. nni and I are nothing, and my father wants revenge for something he has yet to prove Gianni did. Trying to wrap my head around it makes my temple throb. To think I wasining not too long ago about how simple my

 life was.

 Sorry fate, I’ve changed my mind. Please make things normal again.

 My steps are quiet as I slowly descend down the hall. Tatiana doesn’t have a private entrance, although I can see why her father wouldn’t want that either. He needs to at least know when she’sing or going. Control in every aspect is his thing

 The tiny hairs on the back of my neck rise with every step. I’m looking over my shoulder every few strides. I’m not sure why I‘ so paranoid. He hasn’t been here the entire time, and I have no reason to fear him. He’s never hurt me, and he wouldn’t, but that’s not what this is. The fear I have isn’t for him. Ites from falling for him. I’m weak where he is concerned, and if I want to leave with my heart intact, I need to make sure I stay strong and firm, because the second he touches me I’ll be putty in

 his hands.

 I need to know all the facts. If he’s responsible for my mother’s death, or whatever’s actually going on with him and Amalia. I can’t allow anything to happen. He says she’s nothing, but why aren’t they divorced yet if that were true? I have to remind myself that we’re nothing. That what we’ve shared never should have happened. Just a few more steps. Itum my attention back toward the door. My shoes p against the floor, the sound echoing through the house. The door is in sight. I’m seconds away from escaping-

 The heavy foyer door opens, and I freeze mid–step. Suddenly I feel like a mouse caught in a trap. nni steps inside, his features hidden in the dim lighting. I stare at him, drinking in the image of the man in front of me. His high cheekbones, perfectly sculpted chin and nose, with thickshes that frame his green eyes My heart hammers in my chest, and I curl my hands into fists to stop myself from reaching for him.

 t you shared wasn’t real. Think of your mother. Remember, he doesn’t want you. He wants to keep you, like a trophy.

 What y

 No matter what I tell myself, none of the things hit home. The appeal they should have on my conscious thoughts wholly misses the mark. It’s hard to remind myself of anything except the way he makes me feel when he’s standing before me like a Greek god, ready to head off into battle. He lets out a feral growl as he ms the door closed, his gaze sweeping the room almost as if he can sense me standing there.

 his entire Our gazes collide. It’s a cosmic affair. I forget how to function, forget that he is the viin in my fairytale. He pauses, body bing an impassable iceberg. I try to ignore how his eyes drink me in, the way his tongue darts out over his bottom lip.

 Be strong. Even as my heart tells me to go to him, my brain screams to me of the pain he’s caused me. If I had only been a couple of minutes quicker, another choice I made that led me to this very time. At this moment, staring at thest person I wanted to See and the only person I wanted to see at the same time. They’re both him. I can’t escape, no matter how I try.

 “Caterina” I shiver at the way he says my name. His voice sounds ke he swallowed ss chips. It’s gruff and thunderous. I hate that I can’t get a good read on him. Nobody has the power he as over me. Nobody has ever looked at me the way he does, like he’s willing to burn the entire world down to keep me at his sige. A man who would kill and destroy anything between him and what he desires, is a very dangerous man indeed.

 “I” Any pitiful exnation I was about to offer gets put on hold when I finally notice the red splotches on his clothes. Blood.

 20

 It’s on his shirt and gray cks and dried on his knuckles. Fear and satisfaction fight for control. All I can do is hope he’s dead.

 “Did you kill him?” I ask, my voice brave.

 “Are you sure you want to know the answer to that question?”

 r, but then again, if Christopher valued his life at all he wouldn’t have hurt

 Do I? “Tatiana will never forgive you if you lied to her, her the way he did.”

 nni tilts his head to the side, regarding me, and I can’t lie the threatening look he’s got going on makes me want to climb him like a tree. The blood on his hands, the feral look in his eyes. The deep tone of his voice. Fuck, I have to stop letting my hormones run the show.

 “Why are you here? Thest time we talked, you told me to stop trying, to let you go. Now you’re in my house. Did you change your mind? Are you finally ready to admit what we have is real?”

 Of course, he would go straight to us. The man is insufferable. “I didn’te here to see you. Tatiana called me. She was drinking, and I was worried. Thest thing she needs in her state is to be alone.”

 “There are two guards at each entrance and exit. She wasn’t alone.

 and if that He takes a step towards me, and I take a step back without thinking If I let him get close to me, then he’ll touch me, happens, I’ll shatter all over again and forget that he is the enemy in all of this. Even if part of me knows deep down he’s not the one that killed my mom. That my father is wrong. I have no proof, ‘s merely my intuition, and when ites to him my thoughts are always skewed Gianni makes me question everything I thought I knew.

 “Your guards are paid to protect her, yet no one can protect her from herself. Don’t leave her alone. I’m worried something will happen, and I can’t bear the thought of losing her.”

 “And you think I can? She’s my daughter, Caterina. Everything I do is to protect the people I care about. You included.”

 er my chest. I need to leave before he traps me with “You don’t need to protect me. I’m not your problem.” I cross my arms over my his body and makes me admit truths with his fingers and cock. I can’t do this, not until I have more information.

 “That’s where you’re wrong. You’re not just my problem. You’re the fucking air I breathe, and every day that passes v aren’t by my side is one where we both suffer. Stop this nonsense,

 I can feel my resolve breaking, crumbling with every word that passes his lips.

 where you

 No.

 I can’t do this. I can’t let him manipte me.

17kNovel

Novel Straight 51