Page 72 of Weaponized

“Yeah, let’s go inside,” Gianni replies before he shoulders his way through us and into the house. He disappears down to the media room bathroom before coming back upstairs, looking a little better.

“I don’t think it’s broken,” Anthony finally says.

“So, anyway, glad you could stop by,” Matteo interrupts him drily.

“Yeah, of course. Like I said, I had a busy week, but I know you wanted to get together. No need to give me shit about it.” He grabs a bag of frozen vegetables out of our freezer and presses it to his face. He just as quickly pulls it away to look at me. “How you holdin’ up, man?”

I shrug. There’s no way I can begin to answer that question.

Matteo wastes no time launching into his inquisition. “So, now that you’refinallyhere, I didn’t get the advantage of being present when you broke the news. Can you go over it again for me?”

On that note, I get up. “I’m gonna shower. I’ll be back down after you explain it to Matt. Don’t leave before we talk.” I look Gianni directly in the eye. I don’t want to hear that fucking recording again, so I’ll let Matt have the pleasure of hearing all by himself how dumb I was. Once that’s over, I can get a few more answers. Figure out my next step. I’m thinking once Gianni straightens out the details, we can work out a plan to corner Rowan. I want to know exactly what the Irish are up to.

However, when I get back downstairs, Gianni is standing toe-to-toe with my brother.“Look, it sounds like you want to believe that slut over me.” Every fiber in my body wants to kill him for that sentence. It’s an immediate reaction I can’t control, even though I called her worse. I force myself to stay rooted to the spot.

“I didn’t say that,” my brother answers. “Isaidthat recording is awfully clear and awfully well timed. I get it; you heard her talking to her brother and turned it onjustas her phone rang. I also know that Theo had her number, but I don’t know how that implies he had even more of her.” God. I want to vomit at that thought.

“I saw them!” Gianni explodes.

“But you don’t remember when?” This from Anthony, who is pleading with his eyes. It’s as if he wants Gianni to offer some information, any information, that will get my brother off his back.

“I didn’t mark it in my diary,” Gianni deadpans.

“Alright, look, I know it seems like I’m doubting you, but you gotta admit, some of these details don’t—”

Our doorbell rings, interrupting Matteo’s accusation. Then the pounding on the door begins. Whoever is outside is pissed. We all look at each other, confused.

“I’ll go see who it is,” Anthony offers. But I shake my head.

“I’ll get it.”

Matteo shows us his phone. “It’s Rowan O’Toole.” He’s pulled up our front door camera app. And, sure enough, Gráinne’s brother is pounding his fist on our door like it owes him money. We all look at each other in confusion.

I sigh. “I guess it’s probably for me.” I can’t say I’m surprised he wants to kick my ass for how I spoke to his sister.Regardless, this may be the opportunity I’m looking for.

Matteo nods and then heads toward our entryway. All three of us follow behind him. When Matt opens the door, Rowan doesn’t wait for an invitation. He shoves his way past my brother and gets in my face. He is breathing my air.

“You recorded her, you sick fuck?!” He is screaming. Veins popping. “Her bedroom? Her fucking bathroom? That get you off? Wasn’t enough to listen in on our conversations?!”

This—this I didn’t expect. I am so confused. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I feel like I joined a movie halfway in.

“Hey, Rowan, man, calm down.” Anthony puts his hand on Rowan’s shoulder and is immediately shrugged off. “Tell us what’s going on.”

“Right. Because you don’t know,” he sneers, dropping his voice. “I want the fucking video, Larozzi. I want it erased from everywhere your perverted ass put it. You want to hate her? Hate her. But, Iwillhave the video. Do you understand me?” He is enraged. Fists clenching. I should be mad at the threat, but I can’t bring myself to be. I’m too bewildered at what’s happening. He’s not acting like someone who just got caught trying to undermine an enemy. Just the opposite. He showed up on my doorstep. Accusing me.

“I—I don’t have any video.” But, now I want to know what video he’s referring to.

“You have no fucking idea what she’s done for you, you worthless sack of shit. None at all. He’s probably going to try to kill her. All because she wanted to do right by you. And, you! Don’t! Fucking! Care!” He’s back to yelling.His finger is poking my chest and I don’t even stop him. It’s Matteo who does.

Matt grabs Rowan from behind and literally throws him off of me. “We don’t know what the hell you’re going on about.” His terse voice only adds to the thick tension. He takes a fighting stance.

Rowan reaches into his jacket and I honestly think he’s going to shoot me. It didn’t occur to me when we saw him at the front door that we should be armed. We all brace with the motion. But, he doesn’t reach for a gun. He throws a few pieces of electronics at my feet, steps back into my space.

“There were dozens of these in her apartment. Everywhere.Someonewas video recording my sister.” He is seething, implying I am the someone. “What type of things do you think this person caught on video, Luca? The two of you playing cards when you were in her bedroom? How about inside her fucking bathroom?!”

“No. No, wait. I never recorded—are you telling me there’svideoof us out there?” My voice goes up an octave. I’m trying to catch up but I don’t like what I’m beginning to understand.

“The fuck do you think I’ve been saying?! And you!” He points at Gianni. “Touch my sister again andshewon’t be the one to kick your scrawny ass. I’ll put a bullet in your brain.”

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