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“Don’t worry,la mia bellissima moglie, it won’t happen again,” he snarls, and my heart shatters.
I turn my head to look out the window, blinking furiously to stop the tears from forming. Why did I have to say anything? Why open my mouth? If I had kept quiet, things could have been different. Now he’s angry and I’ve only myself to blame.
The ride to the gala is quiet. Elio keeps his gaze firmly forward, not once looking at me. I’ve managed to not cry, yet. The car rolls to a stop and Elio jumps out, straightening his jacket as he does so. Within seconds, he’s at my door and opening it. I climb out, taking a steadying breath as the cool air hits me. Chicago is beautiful, and I’d really like to visit again, but take in the sights instead of watching them pass me by while in a vehicle.
Entering the venue, Rocco and Jade, along with Hayden and Adelina, walk in happy and in love while Elio and Dario speak quietly together. I feel so out of place. I don’t belong here.
“Tee.” I hear the gasp of Portia and turn to see my best friend staring at me. She, too, is dressed up to the nines, wearing a purple dress that stops just above her knee. She looks so beautiful. Seeing her hurts. It reminds me of what we lost, what I caused her to lose. Within seconds, she has her arms around me and holds me tight. “I’ve been so worried,” she whispers. “I know what you’re thinking, but you didn’t cause this, Tee. It wasn’t your fault. Nell and I, we love you and we’ll always love you. You’re our sister. Please don’t push me away.”
I wrap my arms around her, loving the embrace and wondering when was the last time I felt any loving embrace? It was with her and Nell. The only two people who have ever cared about me without wanting something in return, and I’ve ruined their lives.
We take a seat. She stays beside me, letting me know how much she’s missed me. The guilt at letting her go through her grief alone hits deep. We continue to talk as the Gallo and Gallagher family talk. It seems as though they’re all in attendance. My gaze moves around the room, until it collides with Elio’s. He’s standing at the bar, speaking with the woman who was at the apartment for our engagement photos.
Jealousy eats away at me as she laughs at whatever he says. The two of them are closer than they should be.
“Hey,” Portia says as she grips my hand. “Ignore him,” she whispers. “He’s an ass and he doesn’t deserve you.”
I watch as the blonde woman smirks at me before running her hand over his jacket and walking away. My heart shatters as he follows her. God, I’m such an idiot. I should have known that he was seeing other people. That I was just to fuck and that was it.
“Fuck him,” Portia hisses. “Seriously, fuck him. He’s an ass.”
I get to my feet. “I need a drink,” I mumble. “Or three.”
She laughs. “Hell yes, let’s go.” She grabs my hand and practically drags me toward the bar. “Two Kamikazes please,” she asks the bartender, flashing him a flirty smile. “Sit,” she instructs, pulling me down onto the seat. “We’re going to stay here and get drunk.”
The bartender gives us our drinks just as Elio returns, his eyes dark as he watches me down the shot. The liquid goes down easily and tastes nice and lemony.
“Another,” Portia says with a smile. “And he’s paying.” She points at Elio.
“La mia bellissima moglie,” he says as he stands beside me.
“Go fuck your whore, Elio,” I snarl at him. “Get your hands off me.”
“Teagan,” I hear a familiar voice say, and look behind me. “It’s been a while. How are you?”
My eyes widen when I see Kelvin strolling toward me. He presses a kiss against my cheek, ignoring Elio.
“Um, hi,” I say, a little confused as to why he’s acting as though he knows me well enough to kiss my cheek.
He reaches for my hand and pulls me toward him. “Let’s talk,” he says, and I glance back at Elio and Portia. My best friend is standing tall against my husband, not letting him move as she speaks to him.
“You’re going to anger him,” I say as we take a seat.
Kelvin smirks and shrugs. “That is the point. The fucker let that bitch touch him and made out as though he went to fuck her. He deserves it.”
I shrug. “Eh, he wasn’t even gone for two minutes.”
His eyes bore into mine. “Bullshit,” he snaps. “You can act as though it doesn’t affect you. You’re good at that. I’ve noticed how you guard yourself, not letting anything touch you. What are you afraid of?”
I laugh. He’s trying to delve into my inner thoughts. “Don’t try and work me out, Kelvin. It won’t do you any good.”
He raises a brow. “Why’s that?”
“I’m broken. There’s just emptiness inside of me.”
His expression falls. Gone is the cockiness he had. “Hey,” he whispers. “You’re not alone. You know that, right?”
“Bullshit,” I fire back at him. “You both said you wanted me safe,” I hiss at him. “Look at me! I’m stuck married to a man who wants to use up everything I have left. I’m nothing but a hole for him to fill. You should have walked away that night, Kelvin. It would have saved me a fuck load of heartache.” I rise to my feet, but his hand wraps around my wrist, pulling me to a stop. “Let go of me.”
