Page 47 of Flawed

"It's not intentional," I firmly answer.

She looks away, shaking her head.

I know we can't be together. And this is just like opening a scab and letting it bleed, but I can't seem to let her go. To make matters worse, I assert, "I'll come back as soon as possible. I promise."

She jerks her head and, in an adamant voice, seethes, "No, Luca. We're done. This is it."

To throw more gas on the flames, I reply, "Don't overreact, stellina."

Her voice grows louder. I've never heard her speak like this. She snarls, "Don't overreact?"

"I'll come back."

She sarcastically laughs. "When? When are you going to be back, Luca? Are you going to be back in a day? A week? Months? When? Tell me when you're going to be back this time."

"Why are you getting so angry with me?" I ask. But I already know the truth. She's not delusional or in the wrong. She has every right to say what she's saying.

Chanel rises and starts pacing the room.

"What can I do so you aren't angry?" I question.

Tears fill her eyes, but she blinks hard to keep them from falling. She replies, "Stop coming in and out of my life. Stop fucking me then leaving me while I'm sleeping in the middle of the night or right after we're together for whatever it is you do! Don't leave me notes, disappear, then send me extravagant gifts. This isn't how the world should work, Luca. You've been very clear about what you can and can't be to me. So don't bother returning only to keep hurting me over and over!" She marches into her bedroom and slams the door.

I follow, but I can't open the door because it's locked. I pound on the door, demanding, "Chanel, come out so we can talk."

"Go do whatever it is you have to do, Luca!" she shouts.

I sigh, cursing myself for the life that I have. Then I curse the O'Conners and Abruzzos. I even curse the fact I'm a Marino. I'm tired of everything. Especially the Abruzzos. They not only destroyed my parents' lives, but I've let them destroy mine with this need for vengeance I can't escape.

Unable to throw in the towel, I call out, "Stellina, please open up."

She doesn't answer this time. Loud music blares behind the door.

Defeated, I scrub my face. I leave her apartment and drive over to the Marino estate. I get through the gate and pull up to the front steps behind the O'Connors' black SUV.

I pull my Glock out of my pants and get out at the same time Brody and Aidan do.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Brody accuses, then both pull their guns on me at the same time I pull mine on them.

"Get your fucking guns off me," I snarl.

"You don't call the shots on Marino property," Aidan claims.

"Neither do you. And if you don't put your fucking guns down, I'll blow both your heads off," I threaten.

Aidan adds, "Not before—"

"Put your guns down. Now!" Angelo demands.

We all turn our heads.

Angelo's standing on the front stoop, scowling at all of us. He reiterates, "I said now!"

I wait until Brody and Aidan lower theirs before I follow Angelo's orders.

He marches down the steps. He points at the O'Connors. "Get inside now."

"What's he doing here?" Aidan asks.

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