Page 16 of Flawed

"I would never leave you here sick and screw another woman," he sternly states.

It makes me want to believe him, but I still don't know if I can.

He tilts my head, locking his stern expression on me. "Listen to me, stellina. I want you. Do you understand me? You and only you."

It's as if he took a sledgehammer and pounded it on my head. His statement crushes me. It's all I would want to be true.

I sniffle hard, trying to get the tears to stop.

He wipes them with his thumbs then presses his lips to mine.

I inhale sharply, freezing.

He studies me for a brief moment. My pulse skyrockets, and I softly shake my head while crying harder.

"Please believe me. I would never leave you to be with another woman," he claims again.

And I want to believe him. But I can't.

If only he weren't an Abruzzo.

3

Luca

No matterwhat I say to Chanel, I can tell she doesn't believe me. Her hurt expression makes me curse myself. I should have checked myself before I left Jacopo Abruzzo's. It was a party he threw for his wife's birthday, and it's true she kissed me on the cheek, so it has to be her lipstick.

I had plenty of opportunities to play around, but I didn't. I do my best not to get involved with Abruzzo women, even though it's challenging.

No matter what event I attend with the Abruzzos, there is always a slew of women. There are two groups with big distinctions between them. They rarely mix, yet both are there to do whatever any of the men want.

Jacopo's never-ending supply of women from his whorehouses invade the parties when the wives and girlfriends aren't in attendance. Yet the sex workers aren't the most dangerous ones. I can easily let them sit on my lap for hours, pretend to be into them, then take them behind closed doors and fake sleep until it's clear to leave.

The women I avoid at all costs are the ones who were at the party tonight. Those are daughters, nieces, and friends of the Abruzzos. They want marriage, kids, and the riches that come with securing their title.

And while I'll do a lot of things to solidify my role with the Abruzzos and keep my Marino heritage a secret, I refuse to get trapped into a marriage with a woman I'll never be able to love.

Tonight was as expected. The single women were out in full force. As always, I ensured I didn't get in any positions with them that would force me to reject them, yet it wasn't easy. Not engaging with them makes them try harder to earn my attention. But I've become a master at slipping in and out of conversations, and I avoid sitting down at gatherings.

My gut dropped when I got the reminder text about the party. I didn't want to leave Chanel, but I had no choice.

When Jacopo sends you an order to be somewhere, you don't ask questions or send your regrets. You show up and play the part. Defying him is asking for a death sentence. He's a true psychopath, requiring full access to anyone on his payroll. He views any deviation from what he orders as a threat, which leads to severe consequences.

So I stayed long enough to appease Jacopo then snuck out when no one would notice. Every second of being at the party was torture. I normally thrive on the knowledge I'm deceiving so many people. Over the years, I've learned who gets loose-lipped when drinking or taking drugs. More Abruzzo secrets get revealed at these events than at any other time. Yet all I could think about tonight was my stellina, sick and by herself.

But why does she hate me so much?

I've replayed the night we spent together too many times to count. Yet I'm still lost as to what I did to offend her.

And now she thinks I left her at home while sick to be with another woman.

Chanel's green eyes glow like a firefly, lighting up the darkness. Hot tears fall over my fingers. Anger and hurt swirl in her expression, tugging at my heart.

The silence grows, increasing the tension between us. My pulse beats harder, hammering between my ears until I can't take it anymore. I repeat, "I would never do that to you. Never."

She turns her head. Her shoulders tremble, and she sobs, "I don't think you should be here, Luca."

I tug her into my chest. "Shh. Stop telling me that. I'm not leaving you."

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