Page 158 of Bitter Poetry

“On my way.” He switches it off, presses a chaste kiss to my lips, and leaves.

The entry door closes on him. I head into his bathroom. I’m late taking my pill, which isn’t great.

They’re still there. I don’t know why I thought they might not be, but I’m relieved.

I take one and slip the strip back into place. The tape seems to be holding fine, so everything is good.

It’s then that the enormity of an empty day stretches out before me.

I’m worried for myself, and for the people I love, which include Christian and Dante.

Seeing Christian was a shock. He seemed so normal; it was like he wasn’t bothered I was here sharing Dante’s bed.

What does that mean?

CHAPTER 47

CHRISTIAN

Leon has a nice office with big glass windows that look out over the empty club. He’s got bold artwork up on the wall, a palatial desk, and a small conference table that can seat a dozen. There are also a couple of low couches and two single seaters with a coffee table in front of the windows and a door leading to a private bathroom.

When I arrived, Leon was here with Mateo, who in addition to being a kick-ass trainer had taken on the role of our head of security. Leon’s sitting on the couch. Mateo is sat opposite. Beyond the room, the club is crawling with soldiers. I knew they had been quietly amassing them, but I didn’t realize just how many.

Out of necessity, they have largely kept me out of the loop—what I don’t know, I can’t offer up under duress.

If this goes south now, it won’t matter what I tell Ettore because we will already be at war.

I stare down at the club through the windowed wall. The lighting is basic and low-level but there’s enough to get an impression. I visited a couple of times when it used to belong toJimmy, and once after Dante took over, but didn’t see anything of the club at that time.

They’ve refurbished it. I have to say, it’s looking sweet. “This is very fucking swanky.”

“Thank you, Christian,” Leon says dryly, “I’m delighted you approve.”

“Whatever.” I smirk.

Inside, I’m burning up, but I’m careful not to let it show.

“She was screaming my name and coming all over my dick right before she slapped me.”

I don’t know what pisses me off more: that she slapped him or that she came for him when I wasn’t there. My thoughts are not rational, even for me, so I keep them on lockdown.

But I’m restless and wired.

I mean, I was aware they were together unattended last night, but I didn’t know he’d fucked her at that point, and now I do.

“Jesus Christ, does he ever answer his fucking cell?” Leon mutters.

He’s been trying for a while, and his temper is rising.

“She was feeling feisty when I left. Expressed a preference to fucking me over him. So, you know, he’s probably got to prove himself.” I wish I hadn’t vocalized my opinion because now the ants are awake and marching up and down my spine.

I’m definitely not happy about him fucking her.

Leon tosses the cell down and shakes his head slowly. Mateo coughs to cover his laugh.

“Am I going to have a problem with the two of you over her?”

“You mean because I’ve also fucked her?” Strangely, the ants calm down. Maybe I’m subconsciously relieved to have my claim on Carmela out in the open.