Page 22 of The Betrayal You Serve

"Luc, please. Can we just talk?"

"You've had years to tell me the truth, Let. Time's run out."

My lips part to respond but I soon find I have no argument.

"There was nothing to talk about," Leon answers for me. "It was years ago and we put it behind us. Just like all the high school girls you spent time with."

Luca's jaw tics as Shane and Chelsea look between the three of us, I assume putting all the pieces together.

"Yeah, difference is, they meant nothing. They were nothing. Not my best friend," he says, narrowing his eyes at Leon. "Or my brother." He pins me with the same look.

"Luca, I—"

"No," he snaps. "I'm not talking about this now. You need to leave."

All the air rushes from my lungs at his words. Never has he ever spoken to me like that before. Tears burn my eyes as I silently beg him to just hear me out.

"Scarlett," he hisses.

"Fine. Fine." I throw my hands up in defeat. "But this is bullshit and you know it." Turning to Shane and Chelsea, I smile sadly at them. "I'm sorry I interrupted. I hope you have a nice morning together."

With one final look at a heartbroken Luca who's still cradling his beautiful niece, I spin on my heels and run to the front door, accepting for the first time what a massive mistake it was to come here and try to talk to him.

"Letty, wait."

"Of fucking course you want to talk to her. Might as well just take her upstairs and continue where you left off last night," I hear Luca mutter, but I don't stop, I can't.

Clearly Leon ignores him as well if the pounding footsteps behind me are anything to go by.

"Letty," he calls when I'm almost toward my car.

"No, Leon. I need to leave."

"He's just angry."

"I know."

"He'll come around, just give him some time."

He finally catches up with me. His hand wraps around my upper arm and he spins me to face him.

His breath catches when he takes in the wetness on my cheeks.

"He's never going to be okay with this, Lee. I'd already hurt him enough with Kane. Add last night and I—" A sob erupts as I consider the possibility that I might have permanently fucked things up with my best friend.

"It'll be okay. It's just the pressure of the season and everything."

Leon wraps his arms around me, but unlike usual, I don't melt into his hold. I'm too broken right now to even accept his comfort.

"I need to go." I drag myself from his hold and without another word, I make my way to my car.

The second the engine comes to life, I slam my foot on the accelerator and speed away from the house, feeling Leon's eyes on me the entire time. But I don't look back. I can't. I'll only shatter faster if I take in the look in his eyes.

5

Kane

The front door to the house crashes back against the wall alerting anyone who might be here that I've arrived home. Although I take one step inside and realize that no one probably noticed because there's music booming from the living room.