She grips hold of my wrists and gives me a pleading look as she pulls her neck away from my hands. “I’m not.”
“Why are you fucking doing this?” I demand, not understanding how we got here.
When she walks to her luggage and takes hold of the bags, I move fast, blocking her way while shaking my head.
Her expression is fucking heartbreaking as she begs, “Please, Christiano. I can’t do this. The shooting was a wake-up call. I need to be on my own.”
Don’t keep pushing her. Give her time. You can talk sense into her once she returns from her grandparents.
I stare at the only woman I’ll ever love and fight to control my emotions so I can think clearly.
Reluctantly, I give in for the moment and ask, “How long do you plan to visit?”
Once again, avoiding my eyes, she shrugs. “I’m not sure. A few months.”
Months. Fuck. I don’t think I can survive months without seeing her.
My first instinct is to grab Sienna and to haul her sexy ass over my shoulder so I can take her to my place.
You can’t kidnap her.
By some miracle, I don’t follow through, and instead, close the distance between us. When I wrap my arms around her again, she doesn’t hug me back. I tighten my hold on her and press kisses along her temple and cheek.
Christ.
“I’ll give you the time you need.” I intend for my voice to be gentle, but the words come out sounding like a threat. “We’re not breaking up.” Pulling slightly back, I brush my palms over her hair while my eyes drink in every inch of her beautiful face. “I love you, Sienna.”
Finally, her gaze lifts to mine, and as she places her hand against my chest, she whispers, “Please look after yourself. Okay?”
When she pulls away and rolls her luggage out of the bedroom, I stand frozen to the spot.
You can’t use force in the Vitales’ house.
Stay calm.
Just give her some space.
Chapter 3
Christiano
The present… Christiano Falco; 29. Sienna Vitale; 32.
My fist connects with Kevin’s jaw, and the Irishman’s head snaps back before he falls on his ass.
“Get up,” I growl, my breaths falling heavy over my lips.
Kevin, who’s one of the higher-ups in the Irish mob, struggles to his feet and takes a few steps away from me. He wipes the blood from his mouth, giving me a hateful look that’s growing less potent by the minute.
I’ve been beating his ass for the past hour to let off some steam before my baby sister’s wedding.
Even though I’m happy for Gianna, her marrying Riccardo Vitale only serves as a reminder that it’s been seven fucking excruciating years since Sienna broke things off between us.
Every time I see her, I lose my mind a little more, and it’s only a matter of time before I become a soulless monster.
I lunge at Kevin and slam my fist repeatedly into his face.
What’s the use of having a soul when it’s been torn in half? She’s out there enjoying her life without me, while I sink deeper and deeper into the darkness she left behind after she tore my heart from my fucking chest.
