Page 50 of Jealous Vows

“What?Why?”My mouth won’t stop.“Why did you shoot your brother?Why did you even come to help us?Why did you invite me to your wedding when you don’t want me around?”

He uncrosses his arms and lets them hang at his sides.

“You’ve got it all wrong, Sienna.Valentina and I want you in our lives.We knew our wedding wouldn’t have been complete without you.We love you.”

I scoff.

“You can’t love me after what I did.Because of me, my father—”

“You are not your father, nor are you to blame for what happened.”

My bravado cracks.

“Then why didn’t you hug me?”

My voice sounds like the lost little girl trapped deep inside me.

“I didn’t think you wanted me to,”ZioMario admits.The sorrow in his tone slices deep into my soul.

“What?Why wouldn’t I?”

“Because I abandoned you.I knew what kind of man my brother was, but I never came back for you.You must have hated me for so long, and I’ve felt so guilty—”

I lunge forward, crash into his chest, and wrap my arms around him.His grunt of pain worries me.

“I missed you so much,miozio,” I whisper into his suit.

Strong arms close around me.

Home.This is what home feels like.

It’s not the same as how I feel in Romeo’s arms, but it’s just as real.

A familiar feminine voice calls out from the front of the warehouse.Mario curses.

Valentina skids around the corner, spots us, gasps, and barrels straight into our hug.

“Oh my god, why is Sienna covered in blood?Where are you hurt?Sienna?Shit, she’s crying.I—”

“Breathe,mia paperotta.She’s okay,”ZioMario murmurs to my ex-best friend.

I sob.

“I’m sorry!”Once the words break from me, there’s no stopping the rest.“I’m sorry for telling you to write all that stupid stuff in that journal.I’m sorry I lied and said I burned it.I’m sorry my father used it to betray you,ZioMario.I’m sorry I—”

Valentina silences me with a hand over my mouth.

“You don’t have to apologize for anything, Sienna.We were kids.We did nothing wrong, but if it makes you feel better, I forgive you.I’m sorry I was a lousy host at my wedding.I’m sorry I didn’t protect you.I’m sorry—”

She grunts as I squeeze them both with all my strength and break down into uncontrollable sobs.Valentina joins me.We purge ten years’ worth of misery together as my uncle—her husband—holds us both.

All I need now is Romeo.

He’s still nearby, right?He didn’t abandon me because of my uncle, did he?

Horror rips through me.I lift my head.

“Where’s—”