Chapter 27

When I woke up the next morning, I was looking forward to going to school. I couldn't wait to get my hands on a certain tempting pain in the ass. That is until I texted her. Then I wanted to get my more than my hands on her.

Me: Wear something red today.

I liked the way Nova looked in red, and after wasting my entire day yesterday getting shit ready for my uncle, I needed a pick me up.

Novalee: Can it be your blood?

Me: Do you really want to play that game again?

Because I was game. In fact, I'd already planned our next session. Even bought a new blade for the occasion. Nothing got me harder than the sweet taste of her blood, except for maybe the horror in her eyes when I cut into her skin.

Novalee: Only if I can bring my own knife.

The two of us entangled in a knife fight. I liked the sound of that. And so did my dick,

Me: Deal.

The corner of my mouth lifted as I watched the three little typing dots pop up, then disappear, over and over again.

For once in her life, Novalee Ford was speechless. Or scared. I didn't really care. All I could think about now was going toe to toe with the little vixen.

I couldn't help but snort out a chuckle when her text finally came through.

Novalee: Eat shit, Gio.

Me: Aww, did you miss me?

Novalee: You wish.

The sad fact was that I wished she missed me. I wanted Nova to be pining for me when I wasn't around. And then I wanted to punch myself in the face for ever having such a thought. The only thing I should want from a Ford was pain and misery.

Me: Don't forget about the red.

I typed in before pocketing my phone and heading downstairs for breakfast.

Last night, when all my chores were done, I laid in bed and scrolled between two names.

Carissa and Nova.

I told myself I just wanted to get off, but if that was the case, then Carissa would've been the convenient choice. She'd send me a couple of pics to jerk off to, then it would be done. Simple and easy. Nothing about the thoughts in my head were simple and easy. They were muddled, confused, and mostly worried.

I had five days until Aldo got here. Five days to reign in the storm of chaos that was Novalee Ford.

Putting her in the same room as my uncle would be like tossing a lit match into a powder keg. And that was before the whole Carissa factor was added into the equation. Nova had seen her with me. She knew what was going on, and at the dinner she'd know who Carissa was.

Even if I could manage to convince her to keep quiet–which I highly doubted, Nova's mouth was almost as big as her attitude–there was no guarantee that Carissa wouldn't do something fucking stupid.

Yes, she was good a playing the perfect wife for her husband, and putting on a show for the public. But Dominic Barone was an idiot so it wasn't a concern before. Then Carissa cornered me in front of my fucking house, while my brother and father were home. Now I didn't know what she would do, or who to trust.

Nova, or Carissa?

Carissa or Nova?

Every time I thought about it unease churned in my gut. Not because Darry might lose his mother. Sure I didn't want to see him go through that kind of pain, but I was more worried about what would happen to my so called fiancé.

How fucked up was that?

Less than a month ago I wanted to see Nova dead. Hell I tried to do the job a couple of times myself. And now, I wanted to protect her from my piece of shit uncle.

Unfortunately, Carissa might be the only person who could help me do that. If nothing else, she was an expert at distracting men, and Aldo liked to use women. Especially if they belonged to someone else. The only question was what would Carissa want in exchange, and why did it already feel like I was cheating?

Rounding the corner, I walked towards the kitchen and stopped halfway in the room to eye the open newspaper in my father's hands.

Sunlight cascaded through the bay window and flowed over the oak table he was seated at, as if this was some normal picturesque morning and not an abnormal occurrence.

"Good morning, Giovanni."

Was it?

"Morning." I muttered back while filling a mug with coffee.

Why was he here? I could count on one hand the number of times I saw my father in the morning. Not that I expected him to elaborate. That would be too easy for the great Cesare Mancini.

I went about gathering my breakfast while he didn't so much as acknowledge my existence. There was no peeking over his pages, or muttered comments, just small sips from his mug.

When I was a kid, my mind used to scream for him to see me. A smile, single word, or nod would've felt like a warm hug. Over the years I learned how to take care of myself. Now, I preferred his absence. So, joining him at the table was awkward as hell.

Especially when he muttered, "How's school?"

"Fine."

That question I could've passed off as his attempt at idle chatter, if he hadn't let out the most condescending ‘hmm,' I'd ever heard.

It was dripping with so much judgment and sarcasm that I found myself wondering if I missed an important test or something. Not that he would say anything if I had. Honestly I was surprised that he knew I was in school at all.

When he spoke again, my suspicion rose.

"How are your friends?"

My first thought was, what the fuck did Atlee do?

"Fine." I said trying to figure out what his game was.

And what did I get in response? The same hmm.

Did he know something or overhear something? Atlee and I were joking around about offing Aldo yesterday. Of course he could simply be trying to see if I knew something he didn't.

"So everything is going fine?"

Did Atlee tell him about or side business?

"Yes." It took everything I had not to narrow my eyes when my father flipped the page of his paper.

"Are you sure about that?"

Fuck, he did tell him.

"It's just a little pocket change."

I realized my mistake when he looked over his paper and cocked a brow.

"What's a little pocket change?"

Fuck. Well, it was too late to take it back now.

"It's nothing." I sighed. "We take a few bets on the games at school, that's all."

"Oh." He returned to reading. "Okay."

Okay? "You don't care?"

"Why would I care?"

I didn't know. I just thought he would, and I was kind of disappointed that he didn't.

"Did you honestly think I didn't know about your little bookie business?"

What? "You knew?"

"Of course I knew. Who do you think sent you your first customer?"

I didn't really think about it before, but it was weird how quickly it took off. We had twenty bets in the first week. It pissed me off knowing that my father was involved.

"I didn't need your help. I could've done it myself."

"You're welcome."

You're welcome! Was he fucking serious?

I tore the paper out of his hand and slammed my fist down on the table. "I wasn't thanking you."

Where was his help when my mother died, or the hundred other times I needed him? Nowhere that's where. If he couldn't be bothered with my childhood then I sure as hell didn't need him now.

My father let out an annoyed sigh and folded his hands on the table. "Do you know why I said you weren't ready?"

My eyes rolled. I couldn't wait to hear this.

"Because you're more interested in proving yourself then getting the job done."

"Bullshit." I barked back. "I got the job done with Nova, didn't I?"

Not only that but I solved the problem of her sister being a possible witness. Veda wouldn't say shit as long as I owned Nova.

"Did you?" He asked in a tone that made my teeth grind. But the words he said next made me see red. "Is that why she came at your brother with a bat yesterday."

"She did what!" I was going to beat her ass. What the fuck was she thinking? "I'll handle it."

"You'll break her, will you?"

There was no doubt in my mind. "Yes."

Tension filled the air as I glared at him and he stared at me. If he could just believe in me for once… I could show him that I was just as good as my brothers. Just as worthy as they were. I was his son too.

"Why do you hate me?"

"I don't hate you, Giovanni. I'm trying to help you."

I snorted. "I don't need your help."

"Yes, you do." He let out a breath and sat back. "Do you know what the most powerful force in this world is?"

That was easy. "Fear."

"No." He shook his head. "It's love Giovanni."

Love? That was almost laughable. His entire business was built on fear. There was a reason why everyone did what he said.

"Sure, fear has its place. My men are loyal because if they weren't they wouldn't live to see another day. They don't have a choice. You mother did. She chose to sacrifice herself to keep you safe."

How dare he talk about her. "They came here looking for you."

"No Giovanni, they came here looking for you and Romeo."

That didn't make sense. I was six, and Romeo wasn't home. But come to think of it he was supposed to be home. He had an appointment that day that got cancelled. I remember hearing my mother rescheduling it. She was annoyed because it took months to get him in.

"No." I shook my head. "That doesn't add up. If they wanted to take out your heirs then they would've come when we were all here."

Atlas was with our father in New Orleans. Romeo only went to join them after the cancelation. They wouldn't have come when it was just two of us.

"Love also makes people blind, and that is why I can't help you."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

My father stood up and sighed. "You idolized the wrong brother, Giovanni."

"Maybe you killed the wrong one?"

He gave me a small smile, squeezed my shoulder, and said, "Come and see me when you're ready."

* * *

One conversationwith my father and what started as a good morning was now bullshit. I should be focusing on the problems that would come with my uncle's visit – mainly the unruly behaviour of my so called fiancé. Instead I kept thinking about what my father said all the way to school.

‘You idolized the wrong brother.'

My first instinct was to be pissed off. But every time the familiar burn of rage started to boil through my veins, my mind went back to that day. Twelve years later and I still couldn't escape the screams I heard while hiding in the dark cupboard.

I felt every single one of them. My mother's horror cut through my soul, and I used to blame him. He was her husband. He should've protected her.

My mother was a kind and loving woman. Not someone who should've been involved in his world. And yet there she was, laying her life down because of me. They were there for me and Romeo. Not Atlas, but us. Why not him?

I loved my brother and I didn't want to doubt him. Everyone else did that. But the more I thought back to the things I heard that day, I couldn't help but wonder if they were all right. Was Atlas the man I thought he was? Was she gone because of him? Did my brother try and have me killed?

No. Atlas loved me. He was the only one who cared. Wasn't he?

Thumping beats of music cut through my thoughts, drawing my attention to the silver Beemer pulling into the spot beside me. When Atlee and his sister stepped out, I couldn't help but cock a brow.

"Why are you driving Kendall's car?"

He never drove his Corvette to school, it might get damaged, that was why he had the truck. Not that Atlee was a car guy. He couldn't even change a tire. But he sure pretended like he was. If you asked me, the only reason he had the Vet was to pick up chicks.

"Someone, spilt coffee in mine." His whiskey eyes shifted over to his sister, indicating who the someone in his scenario was.

Kendall rolled her back at him. "It was a vanilla chi latte."

"Who the fuck cares? That shit still went everywhere."

"I'm sure it's not the first mess your upholstery has seen."

She had a point there. I'd hate to see what would show up if someone shone a blacklight on the backseat of any of his vehicles.

"That's not the point." Atlee lifted his finger to point at his sister. "I just had it detailed."

"I'm amazed that they didn't get syphilis from touching your car." Kendall spat back.

"I wrap my shit."

"Like that matters. You've seen more pussy than I have, and I'm a cheerleader."

Atlee's brow rose. "Cheerleaders flash each other vag?"

"No you idiot." Kendall scoffed. "We share a locker room."

The corner of his mouth curled. "So you do flash each other."

"Oh my god, you're hopeless."

The two of them continued to argue while I studied Kendall. Originally she was supposed to marry Atlas. Did she know him? Yeah, she was young when the arrangement was made, but that didn't mean she hadn't spent any time with him.

"Hey, Kendall." I called out, interrupting their sibling dispute. "Did Atlas ever spend any time with you?"

Both Atlee and Kendall eyed me for a second before she answered.

"I was underage. He wasn't allowed to spend time with me."

"That doesn't mean he didn't." My brother wasn't one for following the rules, and judging by the look on her face, I'd say my assumption was right.

I wasn't the only one who picked up her hesitation. Atlee also tipped his head.

"What?" She sang at both of us.

"What do you mean what?" Atlee asked back. "This is the part where you say no. You didn't spend any time alone with Atlas."

"Sure." She gave Atlee a sweet smile. "But that would be a lie."

So, she did spend time with Atlas. The way he talked about her, I knew he couldn't stay away. As far as my brother was concerned, Kendall Fiore was the ultimate prize. Not that I could blame him. She was gorgeous.

If I hadn't grown up with her brother, then I'd have probably put a name in the hat for marriage. At least she listened, which was more than I could say for other people.

"What!" Atlee slammed his palm down on the roof of the Beemer. "You better tell me right now that he never touched you."

Even I knew that she couldn't tell him that. "He tried to rape you, didn't he?"

It hurt just to say that. Like I was betraying my brother or something, but deep down, I knew it was true. Any doubt I had about that thought disappeared the second Kendall's eye met mine.

"He tried."

I was really hoping Kendall would tell me something else. Because if Atlas couldn't respect the most basic bonds of a betrothal, then why would he respect the bonds of blood? I felt sick. Atlee was pissed.

"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN HE TRIED?"

"I mean, he tried."

"Kenny?" Atlee sang.

She returned her brother's expression with a sneer. "Despite what you think, I can take care of myself. The scar on Atlas's forehead proves that."

The scar? "He got that in a bar fight."

"No." She looked over at me. "He didn't."

Huh? I had new respect for Kendall. Atlas wasn't easy to take down or detour. That was something I admired about him. Or I used to. I also used to think that my brother would do anything for me. Now, I didn't know what to think. Should I hate Nova? Should I not?

"This is bullshit!"

"Oh shut up." Kendall grumbled. "What are you going to do? Dig him up and kill him again?"

"Maybe."

"Hey?" That was my brother they were talking about.

"Sorry." Atlee nodded at me then looked at his sister. "We'll talk about this later."

"No we won't."

"Do you hear this shit?" Atlee said to me.

"At least she doesn't go after people with a bat." Compared to me, he had it easy.

Technically correcting Kendall's behaviour was Romeo's job, but I was pretty sure he didn't know she existed. He acted like he didn't anyway.

"Who went after someone with a bat?" Kendall asked.

"Nova." Atlee answered.

I almost missed that, I was too busy watching the old Ford pickup pulling into the parking lot. But the second what Atlee said registered, I snapped attention to him.

"How do you know that?"

Did my father tell everyone and leave me for last? That would be typical behaviour.

"I was there."

My face dropped. "You were there?"

"It was fucking fantastic. She flew across the room at Romeo all angry and cute…" He chuckled. "It was like Tinkerbelle attacking the Jolly Green Giant. The bat was even pink."

"Huh?" Kendall muttered. "I knew I liked her."

Was he fucking kidding me? "Did it every occur to you to tell me?"

"Why would I do that?"

The only body anyone would be digging up would be his, so his father could identify it.

"Come here."

"Why?"

"So I can hit you."

"Okay, buuut…. You might want to look over there first."

I looked in the direction Atlee nodded and damn near punched my driver's side window out. Nova wore something red alright. I could see the bra clearly through her white shirt of her uniform. And so could every-fucking-one else.

"NOVA!" I barked louder than I ever had before. "Get the fuck over here. NOW!"

If the smug smirk on her face wasn't enough to push me to my breaking point, then happy little skip she did across the parking lor sure as fuck was.

When she pranced her ass up to us, the smile on her face widened. "Good morning."

Kendall muffled a chuckle while Atlee stared at her tits and dreamily sang, "Yes it is."

And that was another punch he was going to get.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"I'm doing what every normal teenager does on a Tuesday."

"No you're fucking not."

"Oh no…don't tell me I drove to the wrong place again. This is school, right?" Nova lifted her chin and peeked over her shoulder. "Yup, looks like school."

When she looked back at me I dropped my eyes to her chest. "Care to explain that?"

"They're called boobs." She leaned in a whispered, "Guess you're not as experienced as you thought."

Fuck Atlee, I was going to hit her.

"Everyone can see your bra."

"Of course they can." She snorted. "It's red."

My lips smacked in an attempt to maintain control. "In what world do you think I'd ever be okay with you wearing that?"

I wanted to kill the shower the other day.

And what was her response? "In the world where you tell me to wear something red. Maybe next time you should be more specific."

In retrospect, I should've seen something like this coming.

Kendall cocked a brow my way. "You told her what to wear?"

"Yes, I told her what to wear."

Kendall gave me a snide nod and next thing I knew she grabbed Nova and crashed her lips down on hers.

My dick took over all thought as Nova let out a breathy gasp. Their tongues swirled together and suddenly I couldn't remember what I was pissed about. All I could do was watch. Until Kendall pulled away and smiled at me.

"Tell her not to enjoy that."

"Not possible." Nova sighed.

And that's when I snapped.