Page 92 of Dark Breaker

“I will.” I go outside to my Vespa, grab the helmet, and hop on. Then I wait.

Two men emerge from the barracks we’ve built on the villa. They hop into an Alfa Romeo and follow my Vespa.

I take the Ferry across to Palermo and then drive to the campus. I stop in my usual paid stall, while Massimo’s men double-park on the street beyond and escort me from a discreet distance.

A part of me hopes I’ll bump into Fabio along the way. He knows where my classes are. I imagine him coming to me on his knees and begging me to take him back. If he did that, at this point I’d probably say yes. Or at least, there’s a greater chance I’d say yes than if he texted or called me. That’s the cowards way.

Grow some balls, Fabio.

So I’m more than a bit disappointed when he doesn’t show up and I reach my first class without seeing him. I’m not worth it to him after all, then.

He’s probably concentrating his efforts on Massimo. Trying to save the alliance with the man who originally arranged it.

Doesn’t give a damn about me.

Figures.

I guess I made the right choice after all.

I’ve completely shut off my phone at this point. I’m sick of his constant interruptions.

After class I have a spare so I return to my Vespa and head to a campus cafe. My shadows follow behind me in their vehicle. I told Michela to meet me at the cafe before I shut off my phone, so if she’s not there, I’ll turn it on again to ping her. But she’s there and waves at me when I drive by. I park, then dismount and head over to her.

My bestie gives me a hug.

“How are you holding up?” she asks.

“I’m holding,” I tell her. I order a marocchino with extra chocolate and then join her when it’s ready.

“So what now?” Michela says.

“I don’t know,” I tell her. “I try to live my life. Try to move on. What else can I do?”

She sips her coffee. “Has he been trying to get back with you?”

“Yeah, by text.”

Michela nods. “You haven’t answered him, have you?”

“No.” I sigh. “If he wants to get back with me, he has to do it in person. I have to see the sincerity on his face. In his eyes. Before I’ll accept.”

“You think he’ll try see you?” she asks.

“I doubt it,” I reply. “He’s too busy focusing his attention on my brother. Only wants to save the alliance, obviously.”

“Why would you even consider seeing him, after what he’s done?” Michela asks.

I shake my head. “I don’t know. Guess a part of me doesn’t want to admit the obvious: that I’m just a fucktoy to him.” I rub my forehead. “It feels like it was all for nothing. I only married him to protect my brothers. And now our families are just going to fight anyway.”

“I feel bad, because I told you to give him a chance,” Michela says. “And he goes and does this to you. Putting your brother in jail? Why? Did he ever give a reason?”

“No he didn’t,” I tell her. “Though it’s not like I ever gave him a chance. Because it doesn’t matter. Nothing justifies hurting one of my brothers like that. Even if he only meant to put him in jail for one night. Like he claims.”

Michela seems surprised. “He said that?”

“Basically,” I reply. “Oh wait, he kinda had a reason. Though he didn’t tell me… I overheard him saying it was to piss off Massimo. So there you go. That’s definitely not justified.”

“No, it isn’t,” Michela agrees. She taps her lips. “Kinda weird, to go through all the trouble of putting your brother in jail, if he intended to release him the next day. My bet is he changed his mind.”