AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“How the hell have I been here this long and didn’t know this?”
About five minutes later, the movie has started and one of the staff walks in with a large bowl of popcorn.
“Just the way you like it, Mr. D’Argo. Extra butter.”
“Thank you, Cecille,” he sing-sings, taking the bowl.
Cecille lets us know to call if we need anything else. Rafael places the bowl between us and I take a handful. The movie starts a few minutes later, and I’m pulled in from the very beginning.
I understand why he likes it so much. I can’t look away. Maybe Rafael has changed my mind about Keanu Reeves’ movies. And helped me feel better about being here at all.
Chapter Sixty-Three
Vincenzo
The moment I see Elio’s name pop up on my phone, I know.
He’s finally found out, and I still haven’t decided how I’m going to deal with it.
I’m surprised it took this long, but it only solidifies my thoughts that he has something going on with Bianca. He seems too involved with our father, yet he only knows anything when she’s around. She was due to return from her vacation today. Do I feel bad she had to walk into a dead body that’s been lying there for a week? Not really, no. Life sucks. Shit happens. She’ll get over it.
I stare at the phone as it buzzes on my desk.
Does he know I did it? Does he think I did? Is he itching for revenge because he thinks someone else did?
I’ve gone back and forth over the best way to handle this. And I think the best way is the way I always go.
With the truth.
“Elio,” I greet.
“Vincenzo,” he says softly, sighing an annoyed sound. “Vincenzo, please tell me you didn’t.”
Well, that answers that.
I wait a beat and say, “I had to.”
“Fucking Christ,” he growls. “Jesus fucking Christ, Vincenzo!” Something hard slams against something else in the background. Then something is smashed. Elio growls again.
“I had to,” I repeat, this time louder. “It was the only way, and you know it.”
My heart is pounding. My chest is tight. The only way to make him understand is to stay calm and stick to my guns. This is the moment my life could change forever. The fork in the road. Will my brothers accept what I did, or will they disown me?
“I was figuring it out,” he spits.
“No, you were figuring out ways to stall. I handled it, like I said I would.”
He sighs again, and he’s quiet for way too long. When he speaks again, his voice is soft and tired. “Does Marco know?”
“I haven’t talked to him.”
“You could have told me.”
“You’d have stopped me.”
“You’re right. Because it was stupid.”
“It was the least stupid thing I’ve ever done, Elio, and you know it. You’re just too pissed to see it right now. Without me taking this step, crossing a fucking line I’ve been sick to my stomach over crossing, we would lose everything,” I growl back. “And you fucking know it. Don’t talk to me like I’m five. Don’t treat me like I am dumb. I know what I did. I saved our asses, and you’ll thank me in the future.”
