Page 25 of Plus-Size Bratva Possession (Vadim Bratva #12)

I was at our family’s lake house, hiding out. It had been three days since I left Gastone’s place, but still, I felt like I was living in that moment. I hadn’t had a moment of peace since that argument.

If one could even call it that.

He had been so cruel, so vicious, that I had no word for what to call it.

From the moment he walked out on me, I felt like I’d been drowning, fighting, and gasping for air. It took everything I had left in me to put on a smile and lie to Dom when I told him I was heading out to visit my family.

But of course, I didn’t go home. In fact, I’ve been ignoring every call from my brothers, from Kate, even from Larissa. How could I face them?

I couldn't bear the questions that would come my way. Didn’t want to hear the inevitable we told you so.

So, like a coward, I came here instead. We'd used it as a hideout during territory disputes years ago, but it sat mostly empty these days.

The isolation suited my mood. I needed space to think and figure out what to do next.

Every time I closed my eyes before bed, I saw Gastone's face.

Sometimes, it would be the soft lowering of his lids as he reached for my lips with his own.

At others, the cold, hateful look he gave me when I tried explaining my side of things.

He never even saw the photo. He truly didn’t care for what I had to say.

And that hurt more than anything else.

He thought I was lying. He thought I'd fabricated evidence to protect my family.

How could he believe that after everything we'd been through?

After the nights we'd spent together, the adorable sweet nothings? He had been so thrilled at the prospect of taking me out for dinner and drinks, but the next day, he looked like he couldn’t stand to be in the same room with me.

My phone buzzed again, lighting up with Federico's name. It was the fifth call today, but I watched until it went dark again. I knew my brothers would be worried, but I couldn't talk to them.

I knew I was being selfish, but I needed this time alone to cry, to grieve the life I thought Gastone and I were building.

I had started dreaming. That was the worst part. I truly thought nothing could come between us.

Gastone had called, too, of course. I never picked up. What would I say? That I was sorry for showing him the truth? Well, I wasn’t. I was sorry he was hurting, of course I was. But had he just listened, I could have helped him through it.

He chose to walk out on me. So what else did we have to talk about anyway?

The sun was setting, painting the lake in beautiful colors that I was far too distracted to truly appreciate, when I heard cars pulling up the gravel driveway.

I jumped off the couch and moved to the window, suddenly feeling petrified. No one was supposed to know I was here. Who could it be?

But when I saw my brothers and Larissa, my stomach twisted into itself.

“Shit,” I muttered, backing away from the window. If they were here, they would demand answers, and I didn’t have a story or an excuse. While I loved my family, they also tended to be intrusive, and I didn’t want them making decisions on my behalf until I’d decided what I needed to do.

I barely had time to compose myself before the front door swung open.

“Elena,” Caspian said when he laid his relieved eyes on me. “What the hell?”

The others stood beside him. Dante looked extremely annoyed, I noticed. In fact, everyone did. But Larissa... Larissa's eyes held an understanding that made my throat tighten.

“How did you find me?” I asked, unable to walk towards them. I felt cornered, not welcomed.

“One of the guards came by and saw your car,” Gio explained, crossing his arms. “We sent men everywhere looking for you.”

I winced.

“Do you have any idea how worried we were when Gastone called asking to speak to you?” Federico said. “We didn’t know where you were!”

I shrugged. “I needed space.”

Dante snapped with anger. “You needed space? From him, right? That’s why you left his place like that without telling a soul. What did that bastard do to you?”

My head snapped up. “Don't call him that.”

“Seriously? You're defending him?” Dante's voice rose in disbelief.

I felt tears threatening, but fought them back. “Of course I’m defending him. He’s my husband.”

“So what? It’s not like he’s acted like that,” Federico fired back.

“He’s not acting like anything. We fought, okay?” I said finally, keeping it vague. “All couples fight, and I wanted to come here and clear my head.”

“Couples?” Gio repeated, incredulous. “You’re not all couples. I’ve seen you around him. That night at dinner, you were on edge!”

“Gio,” Larissa warned, speaking for the first time. “That's enough.”

Larissa gave him a warning glare that made him quiet down.

“He didn't do anything,” I insisted, my voice stronger now after having Larissa’s support. “We were both at fault.”

“Stop enabling his abusive behaviour!” Achille roared.

“He is not abusive,” I shot back. “If you talk about him like that, then get the hell out of here.”

I didn’t know why I was defending him like my life depended on it, but like I said, I was too tired to explain. I just needed them to trust me to figure it out. Besides, Gio wasn’t any of those things they said. He wasn’t.

In that moment, all the good rushed back. How he helped that employee with the sick woman, how he enjoyed it when I was having the time of my life in the club, how softly he made love to me on many, many nights, and how dirty it got when I felt frisky. He listened, always.

Until he didn’t.

The room was now silent after my threat, and I wrapped my arms around myself, suddenly feeling cold.

“Look, guys,” Larissa said, stepping forward. “Why don't you give us some time to talk? Girl to girl.”

The brothers exchanged looks. I could see they wanted to argue, but Larissa then added how their ambushing wasn’t helping one bit.

“Fine,” Caspian relented. “We'll wait outside. But Elena, you’re coming back with us tonight.”

I nodded, too tired to argue. Larissa waited until they were out of the house before turning to me and ushering me to a comfortable sofa.

“Come on. Tell me what really happened.”

I sank back onto the couch, not knowing where to start.

“You can talk to me,” she encouraged gently. “It helps to vent.”

I glanced at her, skeptical. “He's your brother. You aren’t exactly a neutral party here.”

“Yes, and I love him,” she agreed. “But I also know how annoying he is. Can you believe he still hasn’t come by to see my baby? I know how stubborn he can be and might be able to help.”

She was speaking with such sincerity, and I was so damn tired of holding back all these thoughts that had jumped into a large mess in my head. The next thing I knew, tears were pouring down my cheeks, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get them to stop.

Larissa reached over and gently squeezed my hand.

“I'm sorry,” I sobbed. “I don't know why I'm crying.”

“I think it’s because you thought space would help,” Larissa said softly, handing me a tissue from her purse. “But you’re still hurting, aren’t you?”

I nodded, unable to keep the story to myself anymore. I knew Federico told Caspian, which meant the entire family must know by now. “I showed him the evidence Federico found about Adriana. He... he completely lost it.”

“What do you mean?” she frowned.

“He said I made it all up,” I continued, the memory fresh and painful. “Like I'd deliberately set out to hurt him.”

“He did not!” she gasped, clutching at her chest. “What a jerk! I saw the evidence too. It was all clear as day.”

“I know, but he didn’t even get to the photo of Adriana and her lover.” I wiped my eyes. “It’s like he just didn’t want to listen.”

“Fool. A stubborn fool,” Larissa clicked her tongue, and I saw a flash of anger on her face that I didn’t quite like. I felt like I wasn’t giving her the whole picture. Like, she understood me, but Gastone, too, had his reasons, right?

“But I understand why he reacted that way,” I added. “It's a lot to process—finding out the woman you loved was unfaithful.”

Larissa was watching me carefully. “Sure, but that’s no reason for him to treat you like that.”

“He doesn’t always treat me like that,” I said quickly.

“In fact, never, apart from that one time. Usually, he’s so kind, so gentle.

When he looks at me sometimes, I feel like the most important person in the world.

And that’s what hurts the most. That was when it mattered; he couldn’t see me that way.

I… I guess…I thought I meant more. As much as he means to me. ”

Larissa smiled. “You love him.”

The words hung in the air between us. Did I love Gastone?

Was this constant pain in my throat, my chest, my heart that I felt from not being around his love?

Was the replaying of every word he said, wishing it had been otherwise, love?

Was it the fact that I slept like a baby through the night when I knew he lay beside me, love?

“I don't know,” I admitted. “Maybe. Is that crazy?”

“No,” Larissa laughed softly. “The heart wants what it wants.”

“Adriana must have been special,” I said quietly, needing to know what she had that I didn’t.

“She was,” Larissa nodded. “I only met her a few times, but she was beautiful, charming. He was completely besotted.”

“Lucky woman,” I murmured, ignoring the pang in my chest. “To be loved like that.”

Larissa's eyes softened. “Elena, my brother loves fiercely. It's his greatest strength and his greatest flaw. He can't see clearly when his heart is involved.”

“I know,” I sighed. “That's why I can't be too angry with him. Finding out Adriana betrayed him... it must be like losing her all over again.”

“Thank you,” Larissa said suddenly, reaching for my hand.

“For what?”

“For seeing the good in him, even when he's being an ass,” she smiled. “Not many would.”

I returned her smile, feeling lighter after this conversation. “He makes it hard sometimes, but the good is definitely there.”

We sat in comfortable silence for a moment.

“I miss him,” I confessed, barely above a whisper. “It's only been a few days, but it feels longer.”

“Have you thought about calling him back?” Larissa asked.

I shook my head. “What would I say? Nothing's changed.”

“You could tell him what you just told me,” she suggested. “And perhaps he’d be willing to listen.”

“He wouldn’t,” I said obstinately, even though a part of me longed to hear his voice and go back to how things were. But another part feared he would say even meaner things.

“I need more time,” I decided. “I'm not ready yet.”

Larissa squeezed my hand. “That's fair. Do what you need to, but you can’t run away from this forever.”

I nodded. I knew that. Eventually, I would have to speak to him. But for now, I was in too much pain already to add more to it. I knew he was still angry.

“Do I have to go back with you tonight?” I asked. “I'm not trying to worry anyone, but I just... I need a little more space.”

Larissa considered this. “Your overprotective brothers are not going to like that idea.”

“I know,” I sighed. “Please?”

She studied me for a long moment, then nodded. “A few more nights. I'll convince them.”

Relief washed over me. “Thank you, Larissa.”

“Don't thank me yet,” she grimaced, standing up. “I still have to face the firing squad outside.”

As she headed for the door, I called out, “Larissa?”

She turned back.

“Do you think...” I hesitated, vulnerable in my question, “Do you think he really cares about me? Or was I just... convenient?”

Her expression softened. “Elena, my brother has never been a good actor. What he feels shows on his face. I’ve seen how he looks at you. Whatever was happening between you two, it was real. At least on his side.”

She slipped out the door, leaving me with those words echoing in my mind. Real. On his side.

I picked up my phone, scrolling through the missed calls until I reached Gastone's name. My finger hovered over it for a heartbeat before I set the phone down again.

Tomorrow. Maybe tomorrow I will be ready.