Page 93 of Driftwood Daffodil 2

“No.” I lied.

Carissa let out a sigh. “Gio, I know when something is bothering you.”

I couldn’t argue that. I’d told her things that I would never tell anyone. But this… my confusion about Nova… that was mine. I didn’t want to share it with her.

Her bright eyes narrowed as she straightened up. “It’s that girl isn’t it?”

“That girl is none of your business.”

“I can’t believe your father’s making you marry her. It’s absurd.”

“It won’t get that far.”

Nova would fuck up sooner or later, then I could end her. I could snap her neck and move on with my life. There was only one problem with that plan… I didn’t know if I could do it.

“It shouldn’t have been suggested, Gio. That girl’s brother took something from you.” Carissa sneered. “And now your father is making you marry her. How is that right?”

It wasn’t, but one could argue it was kind of my idea. Yes, it started as a job. And I figured out how to solve it without death and bloodshed like my father wanted. I just didn’t expect this.

“Why are you listening to him? Has he ever shown any interest in you?”

“Carissa,” I sighed and scrubbed a hand down my face. “This is just how things work.”

“I was there after Atlas. I saw you went through. And now your father is making you relive it.”

She had a point. Carissa was there through all the tears and where was my father? Where was he after my mother? When did he ever take an interest in me? I was his son too, not that he ever acted like it.

He didn’t see me. If he took one look at me, he’d see I was just as good as my brothers. I was the son of the don, a Mancini, and just as capable of leading as Romeo. One day, I’d prove that to him.

“I’m just worried about you, Gio.”

When she lifted her hand, I grabbed her wrist before she could touch me.

“Don’t be. I don’t need your pity. I’m son of the don, and you’re just a bored wife that no one wants to use anymore.”

“I don’t know what’s more sad. The fact that you want her,” she yanked her wrist out of my grasp and sneered up at me. “Or that you can’t admit it.”

“Fuck off.” I snarled and reached out to open the door.

Her next words made me stop cold.

“Atlas is rolling in his grave, right now.”

“What the fuck did you just say?” My hand was around her neck before I could think about what I was doing. “You don’t know the first thing about my brother!”

Her light eyes rolled up to mine. “I know he wouldn’t want you to be with her.”

“Shut up.” I growled and slammed back against the wall.

“That’s it, Gio. Take your anger out on me.” She grabbed my other hand and pushed it up under her dress to sweet spot between her thighs.

The warmth of her bare pussy enveloped my palm in a comforting familiarity.

“This is what you need.” She pushed my finger between her slick folds. “Not that girl.”

Was she right? God damnit everything was fucked up. I missed the days when enemies were enemies and I didn’t get jealous over a fucking shower head. Carissa was the only thing that was the same. Maybe she was the answer too?

If I fucked someone else maybe, I’d stop craving someone I had no business craving? Maybe I could get Novalee Ford out of my mind?

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