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“So you warned me just because?”
“This shipment was the first one you checked in by yourself, and I know how stubborn and heated you can get when you think you are right. We will file an insurance claim and get it all back.”
“That’s it?”
Has today really fucked with Dad this badly? This isn’t his normal response.
“No, that’s not it. I called the police.”
“How did you know Rossi and his men were there?”
“Giuseppe wasn’t there. Well, according to Brian.”
“You know what? You can keep your secrets and continue lying to me. I’m going out.”
I don’t really have anywhere to go, but I can go hang out with the guys in the apartment’s recreation room. They are always there playing pool, shooting darts, and hanging out.
I slam the door behind me like I’m an angry teenager and peel out of the driveway.
The further I can get away from the house, the better I will feel.
Chapter Eleven
ALEXANDRA
I’ve never beenthis exhausted in my entire life. All I’ve been doing on my days off is sleeping and cuddling on my couch while watching sappy romance movies.
“I need a new life.” I mumble to myself as I get up to grab yet another doughnut from the box on the counter.
I’ve been avoiding the Marino house like the plague. Tension with Arturo and Joseph has hit an all-time high. Neither has spoken about what happened between them, but it must be bad.
Arturo stays in his office either at home or at the arena. He calls and emails me when he needs something and has canceled all in person meetings for the unforeseeable future.
Joseph has practically locked himself in the gym when he’s not at the arena skating. I’ve caught glimpses of him from afar and can’t believe what he’s doing to himself.
He looks exhausted, like he hasn’t slept in days. His knuckles are swollen and bloodied from hitting the punching bag. When our paths crossed, he would glare at me as if I’ve done something to him.
Almost as if I did something worse than turning him down.
To avoid running into him at his house, I’ve been working from my office at the arena. It’s quiet and most of the time, I’m left alone.
A knock sounds on my door. I take another bite of the doughnut and ignore the person at the door.
If it’s important, they will call me or send a message.
The knocking continues, followed by Francesca’s voice. “Alexandra, open the door. I can hear the television on, so I know you’re in there.”
“It’s open.” I yell out to her.
A second later, the door opens, revealing a shocked Francesca. “Do you seriously leave your door unlocked? Do you know how dangerous that is?”
I shrug. “Having a locked door doesn’t really make a difference. If someone wants to get me, they will. The locked door is only going to piss them.”
She closes the door behind her and joins me on the couch. “That’s a very cynical way of looking at things.”
“It’s the truth.”
She huffs and turns to look at me. “Whatever is going on with you isn’t healthy.”