Page 25 of His Playground
The memory is so vivid, but that’s what happens with life-changing events, right? Because the day my heart shattered at Carlo’s feet, and he proceeded to stomp on it, that’s what it did. Changed my life. I’ve never allowed myself to get close to anyone since.
Sure, I’ve been with other people. I still have needs. I just haven’t been in a relationship. I thought Carlo loved me. I believed he loved me more than anything else on earth. I believed all his lies.
I was so excited the day I got that message from him, asking me to meet him later that night. I remember going to the lingerie store and picking out a new set just for him. Red. He always loved me in red. I went up to his penthouse. This penthouse. He wasn’t in his bedroom, though. I found him in one of the guest rooms. I still haven’t gone back into that room. I can’t bring myself to open the door.
He wasn’t alone, and he wasn’t waiting for me. He was buck naked, with a leggy blonde. They looked like they had just gone a round in the sack. The sheets tousled and clothes strewn about the room. The worst thing, though? When Carlo saw me, he smiled and said, “You’re early. Give me five minutes and I’m all yours.”
Needless to say I didn’t give him five. I ran out before the first tear fell. I left my shattered heart behind on the floor and kept running. He didn’t chase me. I didn’t get any phone calls or texts from him wanting to apologize. There was just… nothing. Silence.
Well, if that’s not a memory to make you lose your appetite, I don’t know what is. So I don’t bother eating. Instead, I take the opportunity (while no one is here to watch me) to get out of this casino without his goons following me.
I have no doubt that I’ll hear about it later. Get a lecture on how stupid I am for ditching the bodyguards.Blah, blah, blah.But sometimes the risk is worth it just to have a few minutes alone. A few minutes of not being a mafia princess.
And I’m not stupid. I’m fully aware of the risk. I know my father has enemies. I know my husband does too, and that they won’t think twice about using me as a pawn to get to either.
I manage to escape the casino through the back staff entrance. The benefit of Carlo showing me how to get in and out of this place without being seen all those years ago is finally paying off now.
After calling an Uber, I text the girls to meet me on campus for coffee before class.
Me:
Coffee?
Luna:
In an IV preferably.
Georgia:
Is that even a question?
I smile as I type my response.
Me:
Be there in twenty.
Luna:
See you there.
Georgia:
I’ll be there in ten.
The car stops just outside the coffee shop, and I groan when I spot the two beefcakes Carlo assigned to me waiting at the entrance.
“Miss me?” I smile as I pass them.
Neither says a word. They just nod politely, one holding the door open. Never thought I’d miss Brian, but I do. At leasthe’dtalk to me.
“Hey.” I sit down in the chair next to Luna. Georgia is positioned on the other side of the table.
“Mrs. Bianchi, how’s married life treating you?” Georgia raises a brow at me.
“Uneventful and boring,” I groan. “What have I missed?”
“She’s dating some jock, and I think I’m giving up men and going to try girls,” Luna says.
