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“How is Elle? Has she said anything to you? Do you know anything more about what happened? Finn, I need to know. I am fucking losing my mind here,” I rushed, pacing the room as Fabi sat down and started to put his shoes on.
“I think we need to meet,” he said.
“Okay. When and where? I am still in Venice.”
“This afternoon. I’ll text you the location. Come alone,” he said sternly and I frowned.
“Finn, you sound angry?”
“That depends on what you have to say,” he gritted back and I sat down on the bed. Could I still trust him? He was my oldest friend, but what if this was a trap? What if he was setting me up to be killed by Giovanni? Fuck, I had serious trust issues.
“Finn. Can I trust you?”
He sighed deeply before answering. “Of course you can. I’ll see you later.”
I hung up and looked over at Fabi who raised an eyebrow.
“Time to get some answers.”
Brother From Another
Finn
“Here you go, Piccola,” I placed the glass of orange juice down in front of Elle’s vacant expression as she fussed with the pastry on her plate. At least I had seen her have a few mouthfuls, which was more than she had eaten in the last two days. Her brown eyes, filled with sadness, shifted down to the glass and she stared at it as if it was poison.
She slowly raised it to her lips and took a sip. A single tear slid down her cheek as she squeezed her eyes shut. My chest tightened.
“What’s wrong?” I asked carefully, moving to her side as she shook her head.
“Nothing,” she whispered. “It’s just not as good as freshly squeezed orange juice. That’s all,” she let out a small laugh that held so much pain and I frowned. What the fuck was I supposed to say to that?
“Do you want me to go and find some oranges and squeeze them myself? Because I will! I will squeeze the hell out of them if it would make you happy.”
She released a small laugh as she looked up at me with tears in her eyes and I smiled on hearing it.
“I love you, Finn.”
“I love you too, Piccola,” I pulled her into my chest and hugged her, kissing the top of her head. She sighed and pulled herself together, physically shaking out the tension in her shoulders.
“Enough. I’m not going to be this person anymore. I’m done with feeling sorry for myself. It’s time to move on,” she stood up and took her plate over to the bin, scrapping pastry into it. I frowned with disapproval that she hadn’t eaten anymore, but I kept my mouth shut. This was progress. Small steps, but progress. She was out of her room, dressed in a beautiful outfit, had even added some makeup and was attempting to eat. I couldn’t ask for more than that right now. And I was going to find out the truth. I was going to meet Alessio in a hour and find out exactly what the fuck happened in the South. I’d heard bits and pieces around the house and from Elle. But I couldn’t believe the version of events they all were convinced by could possibly be true. I knew Alessio. And I knew how he felt about hurting women, especially Elle. There was no way he would have agreed to giving her to Galiz.
“Shall we go for a walk around the gardens?” she asked, plastering on a smile that told me it was all for show. I licked my lips and shook my head.
“Sorry, Piccola, but I have to go for a check-up at the doctors this afternoon. I’ll need to leave in a moment. Shall I find Olivia? She’s been desperate to spend time with you,” I offered and she started nodding her head. Suddenly, heavy footsteps on the marble floor had us turning to the door of the kitchen as Enzo entered. He stilled as soon as he laid eyes on me and I had to look away quickly. We hadn’t spoken since our argument in the shed and I had been avoiding being in the same room as him at all costs. His gaze swept over to Elle with haste and he gave her a dazzling smile that he used as a front to hide his true emotions.
“Elle, you look amazing. It’s so good to see you are feeling better,” he greeted as he walked towards her. I immediately stepped back, taking on my role as bodyguard rather than friend as I would be expected to when someone addresses her, although really it was for my own benefit. I could smell his aftershave and it was torture.
“Grazie, I am feeling better,” she lied. I looked between them, seeing this for what it truly was. Two people putting on a brave face and hiding their true selves from each other. Or maybe they were hiding from themselves. Too afraid of what they might see. “I was just about to go for a walk around the gardens. It looks like a beautiful day out there.”
“Si, it is. Perhaps I can join you? If you don’t mind the company?” he asked carefully and I looked away, my jaw tensing as I gazed out the window. I couldn’t believe the fucking cheek of him. He was still going to go ahead and try to win her over after everything that’s happened. The poor girl is fucking heartbroken and he is still going to attempt to woo her! Rage festered beneath my skin when I heard her agree.
“Elenora, I must go now. I will see you later,” I nodded at her as I walked briskly to the door.
“Good luck at the doctors. I hope they give you the all clear now,” she replied with a smile. I nodded as my eyes locked with Enzo’s.
“Is everything alright?” he asked. Concern was tightening his eyebrows.
“Si. It’s just a routine check-up,” I replied professionally before I turned and stormed out of the room, leaving them together.
