He spits, blood already seeping from the cut in his lip. “Gladly.”
I don’t look behind me as I turn to face Dom. His fists are clenched, and his face is pure violence. He doesn’t look at me, his eyes focused on Dante’s movements. “Domenico. Get inside, now.”
It takes a second for him to move, and I push him back through the door, slamming it behind me and tossing the underwear into the trash.
Dom flexes his knuckles. “What the hell do you see in him?”
“I broke it off. He’s angry.” My words are short. “Again, not that it’s anything to do with you.”
“He deserved that and more.”
Grabbing some ice, I wrap it in a cloth and grab Dom’s hand, slapping it on as he hisses. Damn stupid men and their pissing matches.
“Did you tell him?” Dom’s voice is low. When I glance up, he’s watching me with those piercing, winter gray eyes. He twists his hand, catching mine in his grip before I can turn away.
Silently, I shake my head, and he blows out a breath. “Maybe you should.”
I tug my hand, and he releases me. “It wouldn’t do any good, Dom.”
I can almost taste his disagreement, but he doesn’t say anything. Maybe he’s just as unwilling as I am to rehash an argument we’ve had before.
Chapter nine Caterina
Taking a sip of my coffee, I stare out of the kitchen window. Searching for some damn inspiration, trying to sort through the chaos in my head.
I need to work. But I need to speak to my damn father more. Blowing out a breath, I don’t turn around as I address Dom. “Change of plans. I’ll stay here this afternoon. Send Danny over. I don’t want any more unwelcome visitors.”
He shifts. “I can—,”
“No.” My words are sharp. “You stood outside all damn night. Just get one of the boys here. You need to get some rest, or you’ll be no good to anyone, let alone me.”
Dom comes to stand beside me. “I’ll send two. And I’ll check the cameras before I leave. I’m not comfortable with this Fusco business, Cat.”
My mouth opens, ready to chastise him for being overprotective. But… he’s not wrong. Emotions are running high across the campus. And people make bad decisions when they’renot thinking clearly. I’m not about to cut my own nose off to spite my face when it’s my safety on the line. “Fine.”
The front door clicks shut behind him, and I wait a minute before glancing down to my phone, the screen already lit up.
Lock your damn door.
My lips twitch as I stroll over. I can almost guarantee that he’s still standing on the other side, glowering and waiting until he’s confident that every lock is secure. I exaggeratedly slap each one into place, making sure he can hear it.
Done. I hope nobody’s hiding under the bed.
If they are, shoot them.
Biting back a smile, I take a seat on the couch, resting my head back against the wall and finishing the rest of my coffee. Mentally preparing myself before I reach out and grab my phone.
“Answer the damn call,” I mutter. “Come on—,”
“Cugina.”
Frowning, I pull the headset away from my ear, checking to make sure I’ve dialed the correct number. “Matteo. Why are you answering my father’s phone?”
My cousin clicks his tongue. “That’s hardly a greeting for your favorite cousin, Rina. How is life down at your little school?”
His tone is scathing. Matteo – my only male cousin on my father’s side – isn’t shy about his opinion on mafia university, despite going through it himself only five years ago. “It’s fine. Put my father on the phone.”
“Please.”
