Page 130 of Ravage God

“What?” Valentino asked, following my line of sight. “Oh. It’s just Elio. He must be done dealing with the woman.”

What woman? I wanted to ask him.

I was too busy staring at the way Chiara was moving in closer and closer while I could only stand here, helpless.

“Are you okay?” Valentino asked me. His voice sounded distant.

And it felt like time moved in slow motion when Chiara suddenly leaned up and pressed her lips against Elio’s in a kiss.

What the hell?

I gasped and turned away from them, walking over to where Valentino had parked his car.

It took him a few moments to catch up to me.

By then, his expression had darkened with understanding.

I should have hidden my expression better. It was too late now, and I couldn’t bring myself to care. Not when my heart was hurting.

But maybe I was overreacting. She kissed him. Maybe he didn’t want it. He couldn’t…

Valentino opened the door for me. “Get in the car,” he said, his voice low.

I tried to look around for Elio, but he blocked me. “Now, Isa. I don’t want to say it again.”

I looked up at my brother’s thunderous face. Slowly, I got inside the car. Valentino shut the door behind me and moved to the driver’s side. Then we were off.

We drove to his apartment.

I didn’t argue with him.

I didn’t want to go back to Dad's house anyway, even if it meant dealing with the storm that was Valentino.

He wasted no time. As soon as we got inside his apartment, he turned to me and said, “It’s him. It’s Elio, isn’t it? The fucking bastard you’ve been sneaking around with.”

I shook my head. “It’s not like that.”

“Then what is it like?”

“He’s not taking advantage of me, like you think he is.”

“Then tell me this, did he talk about marriage before he slept with you?”

My face burned, and I looked down at the floor.

“That’s what I thought. The fucking bastard messed with you. My sister.”

“Elio isn’t like that, and you know it. You know him. He didn’tmesswith me.”

“Do I know him? Because I thought he would have a little more respect and tell me this himself.”

“Why?”

“Why?” he asked.

“Yes, why does he have to tell you? Why can’t you just let this be while we try to figure everything out? Why do you have to be involved?”

“Because that’s how it works in our world, and you know it.”