AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She puts a hand to her chest and breathes out a sigh.
“They’re both pretty beaten up though.”
“Sorry to hear, sweetie.”
“Yeah. I guess they got the hard part out of the way, at least.”
“Is there something else?” She rubs my shoulder, reading me like a book.
“Marco… he said that Castor’s not a good person.”
Stacey glances at me like I’m the crazy one.
“No, I mean, to women.”
“He’s got a reputation. That whole damn crew does – ain’t no secrets there. But, you’re Gia Castellano. His best friend’s sister. He wouldn’t.” She shakes her head. “Right?”
“I—don’t know. They used to bring girls over to my parent’s house all the time when we were young. Now I’m wondering if they’re just paying for them to come. In and out. Easy. Am I a fool for romanticizing us?” I sip from my wine glass, my fingers absently twisting the bracelet around my wrist, failing at keeping my thoughts from wandering in twenty directions.
“Holy shit, that bracelet.” Her eyes widen, and I sink a little further.
“Do you think maybe… it’s a distraction?”
“God yes, but it could also be a symbol. What does your gut say?”
“It said all systems go… until my brother sat me down.”
Stacey pushes her lips to one side. “Hmm. What did he say, exactly?”
“Just general tendencies. Why?” I adjust in my seat to better face her.
“Maybe your brother was so mad… because he knows something directly.”
My cheeks fill with frustrated heat. “No. He’s just crazy. He has to be just crazy.”
“Okay, you know best.” Stacey shrugs one shoulder.
I turn away sharply, my mind racing. I’ve been blindsided in the past, feeling like I’m missing such obvious signs or red flags that everyone else could see but me. Not anymore. I pick my head up. “Tell me, Stace, what would you do if you were in my shoes. Be honest.” I hold her eyes to make sure she doesn’t flinch.
“Mm. Well, it’s Castor DeMatteo. I’d still stick around. What? Don’t look at me like that. It’s the honest truth. For you, though? You’re too beautiful for that. If he’s fucking someone else, let ’em have it, Gia.”
I nod. “Thanks, Stace. I think for once, I’m going to keep my eyes open.”
Chapter 26
Castor
It’s been almost a week since that horrible night. Ever since, Gia’s been distant. I don’t know if she’s scared of her dipshit brother or what, but I’m not someone who’s going to sit on the sidelines and let someone as perfect as her fizzle out of my life.
Fucking Marco.
I sit back on a stool in an upscale bar in AC, waiting for my crew to arrive. Our first payout from Patrovski is in a suitcase at my feet, which is a big fucking deal. He snickered when I met with him. Delivering the green personally was just so he could see my face – my black and blue, screwed up face – after he sent my own man on me.
It’s over, though. We’re done screwing with each other. After his laughs, and me letting it go for the sake of business, we had a heart-to-heart… because the money is too goddamn good to pass up.
That’s not important to me anymore, though. Gia is.
I keep replaying the last time we saw each other three days ago. She was distant – not in the mood for a dinner date or sex. And she wasn’t wearing the bracelet I got her. Does she not like diamonds? I asked her. She said it was too beautiful for casual wear, but I don’t know.
