On our way back to the Cortini palace—castle, monstrous display of wealth—we stop to eat.
Rett puts down the file folder he’s been reading and rubs his eyes. “You know who wrote this? The federal government. That's why it doesn’t make sense.”
I could ask what he’s reading, but that would require acting like I care. I don’t.
JJ says to him, “I’m not an expert, but I feel like there were other options…”
As Bizzy orders in careful, practiced Italian, I watch her, noticing she keeps as protective an aura around Rett and JJ as they do her. Her manners are impeccable. Her eyes…
...pools of fiery embers. She is passionate… unbending…
and is with sleep, love the breaking of your soul upon my lips…
I avert my eyes, turning away to catch my breath.
This is not happening. I’m not falling for this.
Soren tells JJ what his plans are after graduation.
Not holding back, I say, “It sounds like a toddler’s five-year plan.”
They blab on. I grow bored.
Not bothering to explain myself, I get up to wander toward the rustic restaurant bar.
From across the room, I see Bizzy head for the restroom. I positioned myself outside it, arms crossed, wearing my most disapproving expression.
She flushes red at the sight of me. Still, she pulls herself up straighter and lifts her chin. A small show of bravery on her part.
“You hurt my feelings,” she asserts.
“I’m sorry you have feelings. That must be exhausting.”
I smirk down at her while she lists my transgressions. A detailed list, too. Must make her feel accomplished.
“...I saw you push my luggage back through the carousel, too. Then you told the Cortini staff … Oh, and who tells perfect strangers that… What is wrong with you?”
I barely listen, just watching her get more agitated and aggrieved.
“What are you yapping about?”
If you listen closely, you can hear the moment she regrets her life choices.
Her mouth drops open. “Wh-what?”
She grabs my shirt in anger. I cup her face.
Then I kiss those petal-soft lips.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
JJ (Josh)
“Well, guys, this is where we turn back,” I tell Soren and Rett. High time to admit Tullis covered his tracks well.
Someone needs to remind me why I had to join the contingent that came to Italy, or why I thought Bizzy coming along was a good idea. What started as a winter break abroad has become a disaster.
This hasn’t been a quick side quest in the name of the Eights, followed by some relaxing downtime. It’s been Hart ordering everyone around, Soren rabidly following him, Deo overdrinking. It’s been fucked.
