Page 2 of Blood and Redemption

As he flattens the pieces and puts them together like a puzzle, I lean over the bar and grab the first bottle I can reach to pour myself something strong. By the burning smell, I’m willing to bet it’s tequila.

The first gulp confirms it.

“Not many people would want to invite you to a wedding. Damn, what’s it been, a few weeks? A couple of months at most.”

“That bastard is using her,” I hiss between my teeth. “He thinks a ring will be enough? Even if he ties her down, I’ll get Camellia back. Eliza, too.”

SantinofuckingBertelli. Kidnapped my youngest sister after I made a small misjudgment in an attempt to get the upper hand, and now one of his dogs dropped the invitation off.

He’s rubbing his success in my face.

I tried to take something that was his, so he took something in return.

This is nothing but a power play here. He doesn’t love my sister. He’s just using her for revenge. I’m sure of it.

Ren doesn’t stop me from downing my next glass, but he does steal the bottle, pushing it far within my reach.

“Listen, if you want to get all pissy and drunk, there are plenty of bars in this city to pass out at. However, if you want to come here and drink, then you have to have even a sliver of class, man.”

Moving to push him away because I don’t want to hear it, the stool beneath me rocks.

“Woah there.” I feel Ren’s hands on me before I can fall off the chair. “Thisis why you came to drink all of my booze? You can’t even think about passing out here, man. I’m running a successful business.”

Trying to swat him away so he can leave me to suffer, his sigh does nothing but prove he isn’t going anywhere. He’s always been a pain in the ass when he wants to be. My best friend, somehow. One of the only people who hasn’t given up on me.

“Come on, I’ll take you home.” Clicking his tongue when my hand meets his jaw, he jerks me to my feet in return.

My head spins with the flashing lights, and I close my eyes tightly to block it all out before I toss the mix of liquid weighing heavily in my gut. With everything I’ve consumed, I’ve got plenty to give.

“He’s got people planted there, waiting for me to return. Not even to kill me, just to mock me,” I slur as we take our first few steps. “I don’t want to go home.”

After he thanks the poor worker who had to deal with me, he leads me toward the back. Probably doesn’t want people seeing me get carried out through the front entrance. Cares too much about what people think. Always has.

I’m far past that point.

Eliza hates me enough that she’d rather see me dead.

I’ve treated Camellia like an outcast for years, it’s no wonder she’d choose an enemy over her family.

How much longer do I have before Renato gives up on me? The one last person who has my back. The one who was willing to marry Eliza to help take out those Bertelli assholes.

If I lose everyone, I won’t have anyone left.

Ishouldlet someone take me out. At this rate, it won’t take long before someone starts sniffing around and sees signs of weakness everywhere. They’ll jump at the opportunity first thing to take everything I own right from underneath my nose.

“Well, unless you want to play at one of the tables, you can’t stay here.” Letting me lean against him, he curses when I groan. “If you think about ruining my suit, I’ll kill you.”

“Better hurry up, then.” Groaning again, I can feel my stomach turning.

Ren takes my threat as a promise, dragging me now. He’s shoving a door open before I’m stumbling out toward what looks like the back of the casino.

As cool air hits my flushed skin, the lack of light doesn’t help my dizziness. Getting jerked about leads to my downfall, and it’s no surprise that I toss up everything I’ve consumed tonight.

“Fuck, man. You’ve got to get your shit together.” Ren turns away from me to avoid the awful sight before him. “Haven’t seen you like this in years. You just need to get over this hump. Can’t get them back if you’re in this state.”

It’s almost ironic that he’s the one at my side now. All those years ago, when I lost my parents, he was the one to help me get through that hump, too.

Wiping the corner of my mouth, I groan as my head keeps swimming.

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