“You don’t need to say it. It’s clear as day that you like that girl.”
I roll my eyes, but all he does is take another arrogant sip of his alcohol.
Am I that easy to decipher?
“What’s your point, Angelo?”
His face gets all serious out of nowhere. “Talk to her. Apologize.”
“Already did tha—”
“Try again, and this time … offer her something she really wants, more than anything.” He sets his drink down in front of me.
There is only one thing she truly craves, and that’s her freedom. I couldn’t possibly give her that, because it would ruin all of my plans with Lucio. He’d snatch her off the street, make her his wife, and get everything he ever wanted. I won’t allow it.
“No, that won’t work,” I tell him.
“Something other than her freedom.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “How did you know?”
He taps his forehead, then points at mine. “You and I think alike, Matteo.”
“Right, you always were a pest, even when we were younger and still lived with our parents.” I snort.
“Spare me your anger and direct it at Lucio,” he replies. “I’m just here to help.”
I’ve been rummaging in my pocket nonstop to play with the ring burning a hole in it.
“What have you got there?” he asks.
I hold it up and show him.
“Is that hers?”
I nod. “She threw it at me.”
“What did you do to piss her off so badly?”
A smirk forms on my face. “Left her in the shower after I gave her an orgasm.”
He tips his imaginary hat. “I’m impressed. I wasn’t aware you had playboy genes.”
“You learned from the best,” I tell him.
“And now the student has surpassed the teacher,” he jokes.
“You wish.” I take another sip while smiling, but the smile slowly dissipates whenever I think of Stella locked up in her room, all by herself, still seething somewhere in a corner. She’s probably thinking of more ways to escape. “What am I going to do with her?” I mutter to myself.
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” He puts down his glass. “I gotta run. Dad’s waiting for me to return and report.”
“You do that. Tell him I said hi. I’m sure he’ll appreciate that.” I wink.
“I will,” he says, winking back as he waltzes off. “Good luck making things right again with that newly found girlfriend of yours.”
“Wife,” I stress. “And I certainly will.”
“Call me if you need me.”
