Page 97 of Out of Control

“Good to see some things never change,” he says and takes a seat on the steps behind him.

“But that’s just it. A lot has changed.” I had so much anger saved up for him, so much animosity toward him, but I look at my brother now and just want my world back together—but on my terms.

“Like what? Tell me one thing that’s changed.”

“Me,” I shout and throw my hands out. “I’ve changed. I’ve changed and no one has stopped to take their eyes off you to notice.”

“Sof—”

“You don’t get it. I’ve done this for so fucking long. I’ve made sure the focus stays on you and on your career. And don’t get me wrong, I love supporting you, but we are two siblings who are treated so differently. And I’m just . . . I’m just done with it.”

“Come on. You’re being dramatic, don’t you think?”

“No. I’m not. This has been my life. Prop you up constantly while I get the leftovers. Take care of all the problems so you don’t have to. And Cruz, I know you’ve had it rough—more times than I can count—and I’m glad that I was there to help you and support you and be what you needed—but I don’t want to be just that anymore. I don’t want to be just Cruz Navarro’s little sister anymore. You of all people should understand this. Should be proud of me for realizing this. And yet you stand there on your pedestal of superiority and judge me.”

He chews the inside of his cheek, his eyes holding mine as he nods ever so slowly. “What does this have to do with Rossi? Because you telling me you want to be this new and improved Sofia is one thing, but you fucking Rossi tells me you just want to lift your middle finger at me and rebel.”

“Oh my God, Cruz. Stop. Just stop. You’re proving my point.”

“How’s that? What am I proving exactly?”

“My life. My decisions. And I shouldn’t have to care how it affects you or why you’d care.”

“So you are screwing him to piss me off.”

“No.”

“Then what is it?” he asks but something in my expression has him straightening up, has him looking a little closer. “No. Absolutely not.” He shoves up from his seat and his legs eat up the space as he paces angrily.

“What?”

“You’re fucking falling for him?” he shouts and then glances toward the upper villa to make sure no one’s overhearing this. “You can’t. Christ, Sofia, you can’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because . . .” He shakes his head. “Because you’re lying to yourself if you think that man, that he’s good . . .”

“Good enough for the Navarro family?” I chuckle. “That’s what you were going to say, wasn’t it?” I smile in disbelief and shake my head. “I have rules on who I can and can’t date, but it was perfectly okay for you to date and soon marry someone out of the preselected marriage pool. One set of rules for the prized son. Another for me. Got it. Fucking awesome. Do you not see the hypocrisy here?”

My brother’s expression tightens. He hears what I’m saying. And by the look on his face, he knows there’s merit in my words. That they hold more truth than he wants to admit.

“You don’t know the real Oliver Rossi,” he says.

“And maybe you no longer know the real me,” I whisper.

“Sofia.”

I lift my eyebrows and shrug. “You don’t. Not anymore.”

“Sof. Rossi isn’t a good guy. He’s—”

“What? Brash? Out of control? Made a shit ton of mistakes during his youth? During his career? Yeah, I know that. But I also know he’s kind, intelligent, treats me like a fucking queen, and has been there for me for every step of this damn gallery when you haven’t stepped foot in there once. So think what you want, and I’ll believe what I’ve been shown.”

“I just want the best for you. Always. He’s not it.”

“I’ll be the judge of that. What you’re not understanding is, I’m not asking for your approval, I just need your support.”

He shakes his head and sighs, obviously conflicted. “This is hard for me.”