“I don’t think she ever left his life. He’s just gotten careless. From how she tells it, they’ve been together since they first met.” Suzy breaks the news to me, and my hands curl into fists.
“Are you freaking serious?” I ask, grinding my teeth together. “Even when Dad was alive?”
“Yeah. He suspected. It was one of the things he wanted to talk about on the day of the explosion. He made some kind of deal in the hopes it would keep the two of you safe, but he never gave us the details.” Ben frowns. “Maybe Penelope knows.”
I scoff. “Why would she know? She was pretty arm candy and not much else.”
They exchange a glance. “Although he never loved her like he loved your mother, she was a comfort to him, and she loved him. I think he told her things he never told anyone else, which we thought was stupid, but he wouldn’t be swayed,” Ben explains.
“I think he felt sorry for her. She came from a family who believed the only thing women were good for was spreading their legs for the right person. Her family practically shoved her at Stefano. I think that was probably why she was so resentful of you, Tori. He gave you choices she was never allowed,” Suzy adds.
I bite my lip, thinking about everything they just shared. “I had a weird conversation with her yesterday. She all but apologized for her behavior when I was growing up, and she actually showed some emotion, like she isn’t really the cold, callous bitch I thought she was. It was so confusing,” I admit, not mentioning the small child she had with her.
I don’t want to tell anyone that Mario has a grandchild, but Suzy and Ben wouldn’t tell anyone anyway. I don’t want someone to suggest that she would be a good way to get to him. I had the thought briefly but dismissed it once I got to know her a little better. No child deserves to be used like that, and I refuse to stoop so low. I didn’t even press her for information on her parents. It seemed to make her sad when I asked her where her mom and dad was. All she would say was they were gone. I don’t know if she means they are dead or something else. Penny seemed to imply something else.
“She had Mario’s grandchild with her, and she actually seemed fond of her. I’ve never seen anything maternal from her.”
“I know one thing, she did love your father, but she was also good at looking out for number one. You said she was seeing Mario Maricuso, so I can guarantee she has an agenda. Whether it’s to benefit us or not is the question, but I can assure you it will definitely benefit her, and if the child somehow gets her what she wants, then I don’t doubt she would use her.” Suzy doesn’t hide her disdain.
“Hmm, I don’t know about that. You didn’t see her yesterday. She looked rough, or rough for her at least.” I think about the bruises on the little girl. “She implied that Mario is neglectful of the child, and she seemed angry about it.”
“Penny always wanted kids, but your dad got a vasectomy after you were born and your mother passed.” Ben’s eyes are sad. “I think Penny resented the fact that he took that choice away from her. It’s part of the reason she wasn’t particularly kind to you. You were a constant reminder of what she couldn’t have.”
“I was just a fucking kid. I didn’t deserve her resentment,” I argue angrily.
“No one deserved any of what they got. Stefano didn’t deserve to lose the love of his life, you and Gio didn’t deserve to grow up without a mother, and Penny didn’t deserve to be bartered away to a man who was never truly going to love her,” Ben points out, and I sigh.
“You may be right, but I don’t trust her.”
“So don’t trust her. You shouldn’t, but maybe think about what her angle is. It may work in your favor,” Suzy suggests as the door to the kitchen bangs open and Gio stomps in.
“Are you coming? We’re going to be late,” he snarls.
“Hey, asshole. You could have taken your own car. Don’t treat me like this,” I snap at him as I follow him through thehouse and out the front door. The limo is waiting for us on the driveway, and the others are already in the car.
Gio stops and grabs my arm tightly. “Watch yourself, Tori. I am still head of this family.”
I look down at his hand on my arm and channel my angel of death stare. “Remove your hand from my body before I remove your hand from yours,” I snarl, and he tightens his hold for a moment before releasing it.
“You overstep,” he hisses.
I take a step closer so our chests press together, my heels almost making me as tall as him. I glare at him. “Do I? Or are you just now realizing how out of touch you have become? Careful, Gio, your ignorance is showing. I am the one who has kept this family going while you have been busy trying to have a normal life. Maybe all of that is now biting you in the ass. You need to make a decision. Are you going to man up and be the leader this family needs, or are you going to let a delicate piece of ass be your ruin?”
I say this quietly so no one can hear, but it’s like Casey has a sixth sense. She sticks her head out of the limo. “Are you guys coming? We’re going to be late to class.”
Gio glances toward her before muttering, “This isn’t over.”
Before I can reply, he hurries toward the car.
“And you just proved my point,” I mutter dejectedly before following him. I’m going to have to deal with Gio sooner rather than later, but should I kill him or his girlfriend? One is going to destroy me, and the other will destroy him, and it’s a decision I’m not willing to make just yet.
Chapter Sixteen
We drop the others off at school but don’t stick around longer than necessary. The ride was awkward. The others, obviously picking up on the tension between Gio and me, talked about mundane things that I didn’t pay any attention to. None of them lingered when we arrived, saying hasty goodbyes and getting out as quickly as possible. I wasn’t sad to see them go. Finally, it’s just me and Sage and blissful silence as we wind our way through the city to the Kitty Kat club where I said we would meet Sam and Dean. They want to show me what they found.
“Are you okay?” Sage asks quietly as the limo pulls up in front of the strip club.
I shake my head. “No, but I don’t have time to worry about Gio at the moment. Let’s go find out what Sam and Dean know.”
