Page 147 of Mafia And Maid
I inhale deeply through my nostrils. What the fuck was I thinking? Coming here now?
I don’t belong in this world. I don’t belong near her.I don’t belong with her.
The ugly truth of it settles against my skin, its barbs sinking in and ripping at me. My gut tightens. It’s nothing I don’t already know.
Knowing that Rosa is caught up in the crossfire of their unpleasant gossip makes my body shake with anger. My fists curl tightly, the scars on my knuckles whitening.
Fucking snobs.
I sink onto the cool stone step, head in my hands. But the cool air does nothing to keep the demons at bay. It does nothing to chase the inferno rising in my chest.
I suck in a breath, then another, willing myself to calm the fuck down.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I gladly take the distraction.
I read through the text. It’s a loose end that needs dealing with. And I realize it’s the perfect way to let off the dangerous steam boiling inside me. It’s a fucking fairytale ending to this shit show of a day —because it’s a safe way for me to let the beast out. I quickly fire off a reply.
“Camillo?”
Shoving my phone back in my pocket, I stand to meet Rosa in the doorway. She lingers in front of another woman. She’s taller than Rosa by a few inches, but younger in her appearance. And she has the same shade of blond hair, perfectly styled, and the same nose. Her sister, no doubt.
But that’s where the similarities end. This woman is much thinner, lacking the mouthwatering curves her sister has. But the biggest differences are the pinched, unsatisfied look on her face and the bitter curl lacing her lips. Besides Rosa, she barely warrants another glance.
I’m in front of Rosa in an instant. “Everything okay?” I cup her cheek and tilt her face. Tears line her eyes, and my heart squeezes.
She opens her mouth, but the woman behind her speaks first. “This is a private event—for relations and select friends of the family.” The way she speaks makes it clear that I’m neither of those things.
I search Rosa’s eyes, trying to find the answers, ignoring the woman behind her. “I’ll go, Rosa, if that’s what you want. And I’ll be back when you’re ready to leave. But only if you say so.”
“She doesn’t need you lingering around. You’ve stirred up enough trouble as it is.”
Nostrils flaring, my eyes snap to the woman. “I’m not fucking talking toyou.”
The indignant gasp she gives makes me roll my eyes, but I can’t help but notice I’m attracting unwelcome attention from people standing nearby.
Rosa trembles beneath my hand, pulling my attention back to her.
“Rosa?” I say quietly.
Her fingers curl around my hand on her jaw, squeezing me tightly. “I’m okay, Camillo.”
“Rosa.” Her sister speaks in a warning tone, and it takes every ounce of self-control I have not to shove the woman into the house and slam the door so Rosa and I can be alone.
Dread swells in my chest. I know what comes next. Bracing for the impact, I straighten my spine, trying to reinforce the walls around my heart.
“We’ll be okay, Camillo. We have to stay here for a few more hours, just to help my mother. I don’t want to cause trouble for anyone.”
My stomach dives, and a small breath shudders out. Forehead pressed into hers, my eyes close. I suck in a deep breath of her scent.
I’d hoped she’d do the opposite. That she’d put up a fight—do anything to keep me here. But I should have known better. A bitter laugh bubbles in my chest, but I push it down before it can escape. “Okay,” I mumble.
My hand drops. I force myself to let her step back from me.
The manicured nails of her sister curl around Rosa’s shoulder like claws. She gives me a slow once over before her lip curls again.
“Call me when you’re ready,” I clip before lowering my voice. “My men are keeping an eye on the mansion and grounds so that you’re safe from Grayden.” And turning on my heel, I don’t give Rosa a chance to take her words back—to keep me here.
My body vibrates with rage. Hazy red flares to life in my vision as I cross the lawn in a few quick strides to the SUV. Yanking the door open, I drop into the driver's seat.