Aldo chuckled and turned toward the door.“You're going to make a lot of money in a few weeks.More money than you've ever seen.”He twisted his head around to me.“Until then, we'll see to your bills.And groceries.”He opened the door and stepped through.“The doctor will be here momentarily.”
After that—he shut the door behind him.
And I collapsed onto the couch.
How was I going to get out of this?
12
Stefan
Begrudgingly, I turned off the steaming hot water.It felt so good on my sore muscles.Since I'd gotten home a few weeks ago, I'd ramped up my workout regimen.I'd been doing regular workouts at Carlo and Giselle's place.And I'd gained back most of the weight I'd lost lying around in the fuckin' hospital bed.
It seemed like the only thing that quieted my mind was an over the top workout.I'd added in protein drinks—which tasted a hell of a lot better than Giselle's horrible, green smoothies.
I saw a marked difference in my appearance.Not only in how I looked—but how I felt.
Physically, anyway.
My stamina was back.In fact, most days, I worked out twice—sometimes three times a day.It wasn't like I had anything else to do.Nick and Carlo had banned me from doing any kind of work for the businesses.They said I needed time to recover.And they didn't want me involved in the day to day until I had my shit together.
Not that I ever likely would.
They still hadn't found Francesca.And that was pissing me off the most.Knowing she was out there somewhere, probably hungry.Needing money to live.
And there was fuck all I could do about it.
Last week, I'd lost my shit on my brother and Nick.
Again.
I'd yelled and ranted until my head nearly exploded.
Nick and Carlo didn't do anything.Except let me have my tantrum.When I was done, Nick said, “Have you considered the fact that Francesca does not wish to be found?”The way he said it—his fucking tone.
Christ.
That hit hard.
And deep.
And yeah, of fucking course, I'd thought about the fact that Francesca didn't want to be found.I thought about that every goddamn day.
No.
I thought about that every goddamn second of every goddamn day.
I just didn't know why.
Why she'd left.
Why she left me the shittiest goodbye letter in the history of the world.
“Stefan, I'm sorry.I can't do this.Love, Chesca.”
Was all it said.
No explanation.
