Page 47

My heart races. “What are you talking about?”
There’s no way she came over here knowing everything that is going on. If she did know, she’d be pissed.
“The way you look. The food you are eating. This isn’t healthy.”
I glance down at my oversized t-shirt and leggings. “What’s wrong with the way I’m dressed? It’s after hours and I want to be comfortable.”
“Well, nothing, I guess, but something is bothering you.”
“I’m just tired and exhausted. Between moving, working more hours, and the threat from Giuseppe Rossi, I haven’t been sleeping well.”
She stares at me as if she’s trying to see if I’m telling the truth.
“I’m not lying.” I say with a yawn.
“I believe you, but keeping your door unlocked for anyone to just walk in probably isn’t helping the restlessness.”
“I always lock the door before I go to bed.”
She purses her lips as she thinks. “Maybe it’s the winter blues. It’s cold outside and you’re always stuck behind a desk. Plus, add in the stress of Giuseppe Rossi coming after us because of my impulsiveness-”
I interrupt her. “You did what you had to. From the way your brother and father explained things, you didn’t really have a choice in the matter.”
“I know that, but all of this-” She gestures to me cuddling on my couch. “-is directly related to my actions. All because I couldn’t stand to see the evil woman she turned into. Hell, maybe she was always that way and I was too blind to see it. Just knowing that she planned for me to stand beside her makes my stomach turn.”
I sit up straighter and place my hand on top of hers. “If anyone can relate to shitty parents, it’s me. Well, in your case, just one parent. Besides, didn’t she say she’d rather see you dead?”
At least, that’s what Joseph and Rhett said that night.
“Yeah, but I don’t know if she would have shot me. She had to have known it wouldn’t have turned out well for her.”
“Maybe she wasn’t thinking about the consequences. Maybe she was just speaking in the heat of the moment. I’m not saying she didn’t mean what she said, but it’s a well-known fact that mafia members are hotheaded.”
“Hey!” She throws a pillow at me.
“Tell me your father and brother are level-headed. Tell me you have never acted on impulse because of anger.”
“I guess you’re right.” Her phone beeps with a message. “Oh, right. You need to get ready. We can’t be late.”
“Get ready for what?”
She rolls her eyes and leans back against the couch cushion. “For the Sharks’ community event. Aren’t you coming?”
“Uh, I didn’t plan to. This is your event. Besides, Arturo said he wasn’t going, so there’s no point in me going.”
I don’t want to go anywhere close to the arena and Joseph, especially after just meeting with Giuseppe and giving him false information.
I feel guilty for ignoring Joseph and lying about everything. I feel even guiltier sitting here next to Francesca while carrying this enormous secret.
Francesca waves me off. “You helped me plan this event. It’s as much yours as it is mine.”
“Not really, but-”
She presses her lips into a thin line and narrows her eyes at me.
I sigh. “Fine. I will go, but I’m warning you now, I’m not in a social mood.”
“You can sit by yourself and watch the events.”