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Either way, I don’t know how to handle it.
I give Henry a pinched smile before extracting myself from him. “I like you, too. Have a good night.” I hurry out of the room before Henry can say anything else.
Leo and Marco are leaving Marco’s office as I rush up the stairs. The last thing I see is Leo’s gaze on me, watching me with an intensity I can’t quite understand.
CHAPTER8
Leo
Ifind Henry on his usual barstool at the dive bar we frequent, looking like a smug asshole. “What are you doing?” I ask.
He takes his time with a huge swig of his beer, making me tap my foot and resist the urge to punch him, before he finally turns to me and smiles. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You having dinner with Francesca. Why?”
“Because Emilia invited me.” He shrugs. “I don’t know what to tell you, man. It just happened. I got the phone call and went over. Free dinner, so sue me.”
I slam my hand on the table, making the bartender glance over. “Bullshit. Francesca is my bet, Henry. You’re trying to ruin my chances of winning.”
“I would never do such a thing.”
I stare at him until he starts to squirm. He sighs. “Fine. Maybe I thought it would be fun to sweeten the stakes by giving Francesca another man to look at. I have to make it hard for you.”
“You’re getting in my way. The bet was for me to seduce Francesca within two months. You’re changing the rules.”
He smiles as he drinks his beer. “We never said Icouldn’tdo this.”
“And I never said you could. So, stop the bullshit. Stop interfering.”
Henry makes a show of setting his beer down and smiling at me. “If I’m invited over again, then I’ll go. It would be bad manners. An invitation from Marco’s own wife?” He whistles. “No one could say no to that. If you have a problem with me swooping in on your girl, then I suggest you make her your girl before I get a taste of her. If I’m the one to take her virginity, then you lose. And I get your job. Plain and simple.”
I lean in close to him, so close I can see the tiny hairs between his eyebrows and the pores on his nose. “Or I could take you out back and make you wish you never messed with me. How does that sound?”
Henry gulps. “Doesn’t sound fun.”
“I didn’t think so.” I step back and pat the bar. “I’ll be on my way. Don’t get in my way, Henry. This is my challenge. Francesca is mine.”
As I’m walking away, Henry calls out. “How can she be yours if you haven’t fucked her yet?” A few of the other patrons shoot Henry surprised looks. Some look curious and others look disgusted. A couple guys raise their beers in cheers.
I shove the door open and storm out into the night, trying to figure out the best course of action. I need to make Francesca mine before Henry takes her from me. The problem is Francesca is shy and slow to respond to my advances. I’m going to have to turn things up a notch.
And I know just how to do it.
* * *
Over the years,I got used to how my father treated my mother. After seeing him hit her that first time, I tried protecting her, but it was no use. My father was always stronger than both of us.
The first time I tried stepping in his path, I was eight. Still just a kid, but I had bravado, and I thought I could take on the world.
He came home, drunk as usual. It always seemed to happen when he smelled like alcohol. Mom and I were watching a movie together. I don’t remember what it was, but I know we were laughing.
And I remember that laughter drying up the moment my dad stormed into the apartment.
Mom pulled me against her. “You’re home late, Tom.”
He grunted as he opened the refrigerator and pulled out a beer. “Always nagging. Can’t you just leave a guy in peace, woman?”
“Why do you drink?” I asked. Mom shushed me, but I didn’t understand why. I didn’t think it was wrong to know.
