Page 123 of Cara & Gian: The Guzzi Duet

Gian then took a seat directly across from his old friend.

“Don’t what, man?”

“Worry,” Gian clarified.

Constantino shrugged, shoving a bite of food into his mouth. “It’s a waste of time to worry.”

“That, or you feel … privileged. Safe in your spot because of me.”

Constantino’s brow furrowed. “Is something wrong?”

Gian shook his head. “Should there be?”

“Not that I know of.”

“Then, no.”

“All right.” Constantino went back to his food as though nothing was wrong. Just as Gian expected he would.

“Have you ever heard of blind affection?”

“When a person lets their personal feelings get in the way of what should be obvious?” Constantino asked.

“Exactly that.”

“I could see why some people might struggle with it.”

“Me, too,” Gian agreed.

“So, you said when you called that you’re finally ready to finish this out with the boss, then?”

“And more.” Gian smirked. “Never call Edmond the boss in my presence again.”

Constantino offered an apologetic smile. “My bad.”

The man didn’t seem to notice that Gian had yet to touch his own plate of food.

“But, that was what you said,” Constantino pressed.

“And more,” Gian echoed. “Do you want a beer?”

“Sure.”

Gian left the table, and grabbed two beers from the fridge. He sat one down at his spot before moving around the table to hand Constantino’s bottle over, but he didn’t move to return to his seat again.

“I’m not the only one between us that suffers from blind affection,” Gian said quietly. “Because if you didn’t suffer from it, too, you would have known better than to ever trust me after you betrayed me. All lies come out eventually.”

Constantino’s head snapped up, his wide—understanding—eyes flying to Gian. It was already too late. Gian hadn’t removed the dishtowel from his shoulder until then, and he’d quickly twisted it into a rope of sorts. He had the rope wrapped around his friend’s throat before Constantino could even attempt to fight back.

Gian pulled the makeshift rope tight, his emotions bleeding away as a blissful numbness took its place. Constantino fought back against the hold, clawing at Gian’s arms and hands, trying to topple over his chair, and even kicking at the table. The plates and bottles jumped with every hit and kick. Gian still held strong.

“I’m not sure if you killed my grandfather for yourself, or because you knew what would happen after his death. I don’t know if you meant to put yourself in a higher position because of me, but you clearly intended to use me for something.”

Constantino’s struggle continued, but Gian paid it no mind. His fighting would end forever soon enough.

“I put it together after Edmond sent me a box with info about the bomb set on my car and who put it there—you. You were stupid enough to try to play his side, too, just in case you needed to. I saw the pictures of you heading to Edmond’s place, going in and out on all days of the week, when you were trying to get me to act against him. That was your mistake. He’s a snake, too, like you. And if he thought I might get rid of a problem with you, then he was willing to take the risk of telling me.”

Gian sighed. “And I thought, why. Why would you do that to me, and what else would you do? What else had you done? You knew—despite how fucking ignorant you’ve been lately—that I would never look to you, Constantino, because you were my friend. And I trusted you. You took advantage of an already-volatile situation, and pushed us all over the edge, because you knew that no matter what, I would keep my friend on top.”