AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I jerked my arm away, rubbing it. “What?”
“No need.” He handed the gift to me. “Open it later when you’re alone in your room.”
“Does it vibrate?” I snorted.
Rolling his eyes, he fought back a smile. “I should go so you can go have fun with your friends.”
“I want you to stay.”
He slid his hands in his pockets, raking his gaze over my body before bringing his eyes to mine. “I would love to, but Tabitha talked until my ears bled.”
I giggled. “Understood.”
Stretching his arm out, he pulled me into his body, hugging me. “If I see another guy touch you here,” he whispered, subtly stroking the fabric covering my essence, “it’ll be a bloodbath.” He took a step back. “Happy birthday, princess.” With a wink, he turned to exit, leaving me standing in the middle of the family library, soaked.
7
GONE
Lying on my white canopy bed, clutching the birthday present Vincenzo had gotten me, I longed to be next to him wherever he was tonight. An amethyst heart nestled in the middle of a larger diamond heart hung from a silver chain. It was beautiful, almost…romantic, though I knew he didn’t see me that way. I did my best not to read into it. Still, the gesture was sweet.
I was lying in bed, studying the room I’d lived in since I was little and redecorated every few years. One thing remained the same. The photo memories from school on the bulletin board over my white desk, with my ribbons and trophies on a shelf nearby. So often, I’d wanted to remove those but never got around to it. I was proud of those accomplishments, but I was no longer the same girl. All I could think about was Vincenzo and the way he touched me tonight.
I picked my phone up off the fluffy rose gold comforter and sent him a quick text.Thank you. I love it so much!After placing my phone on the bedside table on a charger, I rolled over, hoping to fall asleep. I knew he’d probably not text back tonight.
And he didn’t. The following morning, I woke to nothing. He’d left the message onRead. A little bummed, I gathered my things together, hurrying to go to his house. Just as I gripped the door handle, my father’s troubled voice made me freeze.
“Eliza.”
I spun around. “Yeah?” I tried my best to remain cheerful as possible.
“You’ll be going to the office with me today.”
My eyes widened, and I lifted my eyebrows, mustering up the most innocent face. “Is Uncle Vinny okay?”
Hands perched on his hips, he rolled his tongue over his bottom lip. “Yeah, he had to go out of town at the last minute.”
I attempted to read more from him, but he wasn’t giving me anything. “Okay? So?”
“So, nothing.” He shrugged. “You’re coming with me.”
“I can follow you there.”
“Fine.” He nodded once before turning to grab his briefcase off the mahogany accent table. Something was bothering him. He was being elusive.
I drove in silence, glancing at my phone while stopped at every red traffic light. I don’t know what I was thinking.Maybe wondering if I should just text him and ask if he’s fine?Againstmy better judgment, I sent him another message while I had a moment.
Is everything okay? My dad said you went out of town.
I shoved my phone back into my bag and kept my eyes on the road until I got to the office. As I got out of the car, my father approached, placing a hand on my shoulder. I straightened my posture.
“Eliza, I know what’s going on.”
“What!?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Dad, I—”
