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“I didn’t know he’d tell you.”
“We always discuss you—he’s my second set of eyes and ears concerning you. If anything is up, he’s to tell me, and he does.”
The glimmer of hope fades. He’s not here of his own volition. He’s here because Louis guilt-tripped him into coming by to see me.
Gio must catch my disappointment because he comes around the side of the bed and sits down. “You’ve barely been eating. You know how I feel about you skipping meals. You’re to be well taken care of at all times.”
“You’ve come up here to lecture me about eating dinner?” I ask, arching a skeptical brow. “You canceled on me.”
I try not to throw it out there, but it slips out anyway. I’m not proud of being resentful about it, but I’ve spent too many hours agonizing over what’s going on these last few days.
His broad, well-defined chest raises as he inhales a tired breath. “This week has been…a lot. I have much to catch up on after my absence. Then there’s my father’s funeral arrangements and handling my brother. Security remains tight because the situation with my death is still a mystery.”
Gio rarely divulges information about his work. Not to me. We keep those aspects out of our relationship. For both my safety and sanity, as the gritty details can sometimes be overwhelming.
He’s hoping by telling me these things, I’ll understand why he hasn’t been around.
I shift closer and reach for his hand. His warm, large palm slides against mine as I slip my slimmer fingers between his. But he doesn’t hold mine back.
“Falynn,” he says. “I know my absence has been getting to you. That’s never been my intention.”
“But you’re here now. We…we can watch a movie. Or…maybe take a bath. I can give you a massage.”
I almost cringe at how desperate I sound. It’s beyond my control at this point. He’s denying me something as basic as a handhold. He won’t even look directly at me.
“I’m not staying,” he says simply. “I just wanted to check on you.”
My heart aches so deeply for a second I can’t even speak. I don’t know how much more I can take this—how I can continue to feel so…sounwanted.
“What have I done wrong?” I let go of his hand, a coldness seizing me like a sudden draft has blown into the room. “Why won’t you touch me? And don’t say it’s nothing! Because it has to be something! You’ve been avoiding me.”
His jaw clenches tightly, gaze set straight ahead. He doesn’t answer. Probably to spare my feelings. The message is loud and clear. A chasm spreads between us, making it harder and harder for us to connect like we used to.
He’s closing himself off to me. Detaching himself.
The man with the black heart who managed to love me is letting go.
It feels like being suffocated slowly. I want it to work out so badly. I need it more than I need air.
“Gio…” I mutter when he says nothing. “Is this about your father? Please tell me. I want to be there for you.”
“I’ve told you. My father was sick and old. His death was inevitable.” He stands up, the cold and hard mafia kingpin emerging in his demeanor.
Heispushing me away. It’s the final straw. Fresh tears wet my eyes.
“Why are you doing this to me? Why are you trying to hurt me?”
“I’m not doing anything except checking up on you. I want you well taken care of—”
“NO!” I scream, alarming even myself. Anger pushes aside any aching heartbreak. My whole body trembles. I sit up on my knees, glaring at him even if he won’t look at me. “If you cared about me being taken care of, you’d be here! You wouldn’t be pushing me away. You won’t even touch me. Do you know how that makes me feel?”
“Falynn, you are being ridiculous. Lower your voice and calm the fuck down.” His warning comes with a burst of electricity in his gaze, his eyes meeting mine at last.
But I’m not backing down. Not this time.
“This is about your brother. You don’t want me because of what he did. Is that what’s going on? It’s damaged your ego?”
“Falynn, you’re pushing it. Even for you. Know your fucking place.”
