Page 48 of Vicious Union
“What happened to the man who went down on me in a bathroom? You changed overnight.”
“I didn’t. I just got back from our honeymoon and need to get work done. I need you to respect that. I will find time for you.”
“Sure. Pencil me into your schedule,” I say sarcastically.
He runs a hand down his face. “I’m trying here, Caterina. I really am.”
“No. If you were trying, you’d promise me we could go on a date later the week. Or we could spend time after you’re done working for the day. But you’re not doing that. Because you want to be working. You’d rather work than spend time with me. And you can’t give me a good answer about when we can spend more time together. I want to make our marriage work. Don’t you?”
He stares at me and doesn’t respond.
I fight back tears at the realization. “Don’t you?”
“Yes,” he finally answers. “I want to try, but you make it so difficult. Now, I need to work. I’ll come get you when I’m done.”
“Whenever that will be.”
“Yes. Whenever that will be. You live your life on my terms. Not the other way around.”
“You haven’t changed at all,” I say sadly before walking out of his study. I want him to come running after me, but I know he won’t.
And he proves me right.
In my anger, I pace around the house. I can’t stay here. I know I promised Emilio I wouldn’t do anything stupid or reckless, but I cannot stay in a house with a man who would rather ignore me than spend time with me. I know he needs to work, and I’m fine with that. I just wish he would promise me some time together, but he can’t even do that.
And if he can’t keep his promise to work on our relationship, then I’m not going to keep my promise about staying safe.
I’m going back to the club because I want to dance and have fun for just one night. I deserve that.
And no one can stop.
I walk out the door, and Emilio doesn’t even notice, which only pains me more.
CHAPTER 15
Emilio
Rocco texts me with a lead on Dante for me to check out. He was spotted by the docks again, but like the slimy fucker he is, he hasn’t been caught yet.
“Caterina, I’m leaving,” I call out. I wait for her to come say goodbye, but there’s only silence throughout the house. “Caterina. Caterina?” I figure she’s just in a mood and being petty, so I shrug and leave the house.
I head down to the docks and meet with Massimo, who nods as I approach. “Let’s catch this fucker,” he says.
“I couldn’t have said it better myself.”
We scour the area, but Dante is nowhere to be seen.
“How does he keep slipping through our fingers?” I ask.
“He’s hiding. I can feel it. Let’s keep looking.”
As we turn around one of the large shipping containers, we’re met with a slew of bullets. I manage to dodge out of the way and pull Massimo behind a container before we’re hit.
We exchange a look. “Dante,” we say in unison.
Once the bullets stop, we run out from behind the container and give chase. I spy the tail end of Dante before he sprints away.
“Not this time,” I growl. He doesn’t just get to run away—not after what he did to our family.