“Pass me your phone and I’ll give you my new number. This one definitely works at the estate.” I enter my details into her phone and text her the address so she knows the number is working. “Come around 3:00 p.m.,” I say before waving goodbye.
Heading straight to the car, I climb into the back, ignoring Rocco and Carlo. I turn to Stefano as he starts the engine because out of everyone, he probably knows about it. “You wouldn’t happen to know anything about my phone?”
Playing dumb, Stefano keeps his eyes focused on the road. “Not sure what you’re talking about, Charlie.” But I call bullshit. I swear I see a faint smile cross his lips when he thinks I’m not looking.
I pull out my phone and bring up Luciano’s name and send him off rapid texts, which probably makes me look like a psycho.
I’m going to chop off your dick and shove it up your ass.
You controlling piece of shit. Did you fuck around with my phone?
I can’t wait to get my hands around your neck. I’m going to fucking strangle you.
She is my only friend, and you made me think she was ignoring me.
You’re lucky. If I knew how to shoot, I would gladly aim a bullet right between your eyes.
STOP IGNORING ME!!!
I don’t wait for Stefano to turn off the car. As he slows down in front of the mansion, I’m already opening my door and storming inside, letting the front door slam against the wall.
“Where the fuck are you, Luciano?!” I scream. The staff nearby retreat into the closest rooms, not wanting to feel my wrath. I search each room on the ground floor, slamming doors as I go along the hall. “Luciano! Do not hide from me.”
“Charlie,” Luciano says casually, walking through the front door. I march up and punch him right in the cheek, sending his head sideways.
“Charlie,” Carlo grumbles, walking into the foyer.
“What?” I round on him, ready to throw hands with anyone who comes at me right now.
“You’re punching wrong,” he says, readjusting my hand. “I can’t have you breaking your hand.” I swing another punch at Luciano’s face again. “That’s better.” He smirks at his brother, arms folded.
“Are you fucking done?” Luciano growls, looking between the two of us.
I throw my old phone against his chest. “What did you do to my phone?”
He stares at me, not saying a word. I notice Gabriele and Mattia are now standing alongside Stefano in the foyer. Great, of course theywould want to witness me being psycho. I move around Luciano and point straight to Gabriele. “You! What did you do for him?”
Gabriele adjusts his tablet under his arm, pushing his glasses further up his nose. “I hacked into your phone and restricted communication with your friend’s number,” he says plainly. No bullshit, no excuses.
“Why?”
“Because the Don asked me to.”
I shriek with frustration. Throwing my hands in the air, I start pacing the foyer. “Here I’ve been thinking my best friend has been ignoring me, but in reality, you guys have been fucking with me AGAIN!”
“I’m innocent on this one, Red,” Mattia says, holding his hands up in defense.
Luciano takes a step forward. “Calm down, Charlie.”
“You do not get to tell me to calm down. In case you have forgotten, I’m a Carlisi, not you!” I shove his chest, causing him to growl at me.
I look over at them all standing in the foyer staring at me and announce, “Mel is coming over this afternoon at 3:00 p.m. for a barbecue. You better all be on your best behavior.”
“Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?” Mattia fends innocently.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Stefano asks. Why is he always against me?
“Because of you lot, my friend thinks I’m in danger, so unless you want her calling the cops for a welfare check, I suggest you go ahead with my plan.” I look at the time on my watch. “Fuck, two hours before she gets here. There’s so much to do!” I yell at no one in particular. First thing, I need to let the chef, Pietro, and Rosa know to prep for a barbecue. Storming out of the foyer, I flip the bird to the boys.
