I subscribed after they published pics of Marco saving me from falling on my face the day I arrived in New York—that misunderstanding almost ruined my friendship with Sophia before it even started. Ironically though, it was the start of my infatuation with Raf.
I tap to open the story. Bile rises in my throat as I scan the words that form the sentences that reveal more about me, my Mafia family connections, and my plans to make New York my home. My heartbeat starts to echo in my ears as my breathing turns shallow and the backseat of the car feels a lot smaller than when I first climbed in. Just like when AJ embarrassed me in front of Natalia at the exhibition, my proud achievement of being chosen for the coveted role of Natalia’s first assistance is overshadowed by the pictures and innuendo within the article that paint me as an out-of-control party girl. They didn’t knowmy identity the last time I graced the pages of this blog, but I was foolish to think it wouldn’t put me on their radar. Now, not only do they know my name, but they also know what I did thanks to the series of pictures that more than adequately tell the worldhow I’ve spent the last twelve hours.
If Raf wanted to keep a wide berth from me before, he will want to exile me now that I have made the most notoriously private Princi gossip fodder. Not to mention my indiscretions are on blast for all to see—including my new boss. More concerning is there’s no doubt my overbearing cousin won’t miss the attention I’ve attracted.Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
As if my thoughts conjured their fury, both Gigioliotti men begin their attack on my phone, my uncle incessantly calling and my cousin demanding I phone him immediately. I ignore the first two messages. But his final text works like a charm in cracking through my wall of obstinance.
AJ:
Chiara, I’ve dropped you a location pin. If you’re not here within the next hour, I will physically send someone to find you and put you on a flight back to Sicily. Today. If you picked up his call, you’d know that’s exactly what my father is calling to demand you do. This is your only chance to come to me and explain yourself.
My stomach flips and my heart thuds—and not for any of the reasons it did earlier. Fear grips my throat, and I touch the spot Raf gripped in a way that thrilled me and left me wanting more. Now I marvel at how the sensation leaves me gasping for air.
“Avery,” I call out with a shaky voice. “Change of plans. I need you to take me to see my cousin. I’ll drop you a pin.”
He looks at me in the rearview mirror, brow furrowed.
“Chiara, if you’re in danger, you need to let me know so I can alert Marco.”
It’s a statement not a question. If I’ve come to understand anything about Marco and Avery, it’s that they deal in absolutes.
Maybe getting Marco on my side to help me deal with my cousin isn’t such a bad idea. He certainly trusts him, and if my hunch is correct, he might be as much my family as AJ.
“Yes. I mean, no, I’m not in danger per se, but please ask Marco if he can meet us at AJ’s.”
A simple nod and voice to text message later, Avery has relayed my request to Marco.
I need to remain calm; I cannot return to Sicily. I won’t let the men of this family steal this dream from me. The life my mama insisted I chase—I need to stand my ground and fight for freedom if I’m ever going to break the cycle my parents lost their lives for.
Determined to regain my composure before we arrive at our destination, I put my noise-cancelling earbuds in but don’t press play on my current audiobook. Instead, I close my eyes and desperately try to find an escape from my misery in the silence. There’s no peace to be found. In the absence of my audiobook is an echo chamber for my self-loathing. The voice of the mean girl who loves to insert herself in my weakest moments.
This is what happens when you don’t think before you act.
Stupid girl. Did you really think you would pull this off?
You’re cursed, Chiara. A poison to everything and everyone you touch.
You think Raf would ever want to be with someone as damaged as you?
I gasp, ripping out my earbuds. I’ve been holding my breath. The silence only illuminated the shitstorm brewing all around me.
The windows roll down and I meet Avery’s eye in the review mirror. He nods once, and I don’t bother trying to hide the tears brimming before closing my eyes and letting the frigid air coerce my body to take the oxygen it needs.
How will I ever get Raf to forgive me for dragging him down with me?
Any flicker of hope I had that maybe our spark might catch is on the verge of being snuffed out, reminding me once again that no matter where I am, the darkness can always find me. Rage grips me and gives me renewed conviction—I’m going to stop trying to outrun the darkness. If I’m going to be any match for my cousin’s wrath, I need to embrace it and use it to summon the energy to go toe to toe with him. And, if necessary, deploy my final bartering chip.
Seems I’m not the only one with a secret.
Luca:
Look who’s popped his GG cherry *insert screenshot*
Marco:
Superhero looks good on you, brother. If I’m The Hulk, maybe we should call you Captain America.
Luca:
