Page 8 of Die for You

I’m so messed up. And the only person who loved me and accepted me, flaws and all, is a billion miles away.

My heart aches.

I miss him.

I miss him so fucking much it hurts.

I’m homesick. Rather, I’m Lenny-sick because he is my home.

Toying with the black crystal around my neck, which hangs from the necklace Lenny gave me for my birthday, I realize that I don’t know what it feels like to live life without Lenny. Although we argued half the time, I knew he’d always be on my side…until I left.

I have no doubt he meant his parting words.And the next time we see one another, one of us will be gravely hurt.

I don’t know how I got here, but this is my life now. I have no one, and I’ve learned it’s better this way.

Nico says something and leaves, taking Lupo, not that I blame him. I’m hardly any company.

I wonder about Cat. Did he perish in the fire? He was my only friend, and I couldn’t even protect him.

I truly am alone, and for the sins I’ve committed, I deserve the solitude. So I accept my fate.

I am no one…once again.

This house is fucking beautiful. And we’re safe. But the fact that it’s Aldo’s house feels all shades of wrong because Aldo is now nothing but ashes, burned to death in the house that was never my home.

Lewis sleeps in one of the many guest rooms. Still exhausted, he’s sleeping away years of abuse from his bones.

Bria sits behind me, stroking Cat in a catatonic state.

And me, I’m standing on the balcony, staring into the darkness wondering what the fuck I’m supposed to do.

It’s taking every ounce of strength I have not to jump on a plane and find Valentina. I found out from one of Gianna’s men that she’d been shipped off to Italy to take over Gianna’s enterprise, but he didn’t know much more, which is why his torso is weighed down and sits on the bottom of the ocean. His other extremities are scattered at random locations, never to be identified.

This is my life now.

Bria hasn’t spoken a word since we fled. That was a week ago.

I don’t feel sorry for her because no one wants pity, but I am sad she lost her dad. He was a great man.

His last words will forever haunt me.

“Her mother is…Gianna. Gianna is Valentina’s mother.”

Clenching the baluster, I vow that Gianna will pay dearly for what she’s done.

She knew who Valentina was from the very beginning, yet she treated her like a stranger, nothing but a pawn in her game. She trained her own daughter to be a lethal weapon.

What sort of mother does that?

My mother was hardly a saint, but what Gianna has done is psychopathic.

I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with this information. I can’t tell anyone, as Valentina will be in danger. Regardless of what she’s done, the need to protect her remains.

I want to be with her, but I can’t if Gianna is still alive. If I kill her, Valentina will hate me, so I’m stuck.

Damned if I do. And damned if I don’t.

The only way for Valentina to listen is to show her what a lying snake Gianna is, because now that I know the truth, I plan to use it to my advantage. I’m going to let Gianna hang herself. And she will.