Sinful Kisses by Emily Bowie

CHAPTER 29

“Are you planning on telling me what happened?” I ask after stitching the cut above his eye.

Romeo is sitting in a chair, and I’m standing over him between his legs. “How about I show you?” He pulls me in closer. I doubt Romeo has ever allowed anyone to look down upon him, and here I am doing that. He’s always asserting himself. A small smile graces my lips that he’s allowing me to take care of him and comfortable enough to show me his vulnerable side.

He holds my hand as we walk across the yard. The dog isn’t in his typical shaded area by his tree. “Why does your dog not have a name?”

“It’s harder to get attached when you don’t name animals.”

“I’ve named about half the pigs.”

“Do you plan on eating any of them?”

I wrinkle my nose at the horrifying idea of that.

“See? You made my point.”

“But you don’t plan to eat your dog.” I’m still not seeing his logic.

“No, but he’s here for a purpose. No use in mourning a dog who couldn’t do what he’s trained for.”

“You don’t mean that.” I try to tug on his arm, but he keeps his steady pace.

“I trust no one. Not even my dog.”

“What about me?” My feet pause. I expect for him to pull me along, but his feet stop after mine. He doesn’t look back at me; he’s staring at the butcher shop.

“I’m still deciding.”

I pull on his hand, wanting him to look at me. This shouldn’t bother me. Can I even say I trust him? I trust he would never hurt me. Physically, at least. He now has the power to destroy my heart. Somehow, he stole it when I forgot to guard it.

His head nods to keep going, never truly looking at me. My feet move to match his pace.

I’ve never wandered over here. I’ve never been interested in what was done. I expected a pungent smell to invade my senses as we step closer. It doesn’t. The smell is odd, with a hint of bleach.

“Why does it smell like bleach?”

“Max has OCD. He likes everything clean.”

I suppose for sanitary reasons. But growing up in a mafia household, I know better. The main purpose of this shop isn’t to make pork sausages.

For each of Romeo’s two steps, I take one. I no longer want to see what’s in here.

“I changed my mind. You don’t need to show me.”

Romeo grips my hand tighter, refusing to let it go. “Gia, keep moving.”

My stomach swirls, knowing whatever’s behind the door, I won’t like. Keeping his hand tight on mine, he pulls me into the shop. The dark room brightens from outside when Romeo opens the door. I hear chains rattling as my eyes adjust. It takes a second before my eyes focus on the image in front of me. Alfonso is hanging from chains, his body slumped, and he’s battered.

I try to run to him, but Romeo holds me back. “No.” His voice is sharp with finality.

“I need to help him.”

Romeo turns on a light, and Alfonso’s head moves up. “Gia, your family misses you,” Alfonso tells me, his voice weak at the end.

Again, my feet try to move. I’m torn between the two of them. Alfonso is my best friend, always will be.

“You need to say goodbye,” Romeo’s rough voice says from behind. I turn my glistening eyes to Romeo. He scoffs, his eyes hardening. “Don’t you dare waste tears on him. He hurt you.”

I look from Romeo to Alfonso. “He’s my best friend.”

“He’ll always want more!” Romeo yells. I open my mouth, then close it. “Tell her, Alfonso.”

I look between the two men. My stomach sinks further, being in the middle and wanting everyone to stop the fighting. Neither of our families can keep going at this rate.

“Nicoli wants us to marry as soon as you return home.” Alfonso’s voice is weak. He needs medical attention.

“You can’t kill him.” I shake my head. My hands steeple at my nose.

“I’m not returning you.” Romeo brings a gun out from under his shirt.

My blood whooshes in my ears like a river. It’s loud and violent. Much like the life I’m living right now.

“Please don’t kill him,” I beg.

Romeo is looking at me with disgust. He doesn’t understand.

“Please, for me.” I’d fall to my knees and beg if I thought it would make a difference.

“You’re choosing Alfonso over me?” His chuckle is hard and mean.

“It’s not like that. You don’t understand.”

“You still want the fucker, even though he cheated on you. He disgraced you at that fucking party. He allowed everyone to think he went upstairs with your sister. I never took you for a doormat.”

“I don’t love him, you idiot!” I yell out.

“What is it you want?” he asks coldly, his gun now aimed at Alfonso.

“I love you, Romeo, not him.”

Alfonso’s head jerks back in my peripheral vision. I refuse to look at him, not wanting to see what he’s thinking. Romeo’s smile is slow as it curves up his lips. A brow quirks up, uncertain if I’m telling the truth.

“I want you.” I step closer to him, our hands still connected.

“Let me guess. You love me but want me to let him go? What side are you on?”

My stomach is flip-flopping. My hands shake.

“If I let him go, he’ll go straight to your father.” His hand brushes back my hair.

“Let him. The Romeo I know isn’t afraid of anything.”

“We’re in the middle of a war. Casualties are part of the risk. Your father understood this when he sent him.”

Romeo’s eyes go from me to Alfonso. His gun hasn’t left him. He swallows before his gun lowers, and I breathe out a relieved sigh. But then, the gun goes off with a bang, the sound ringing through my ears. Alfonso yells out.

I scream. My legs are unable to move. They crumble under me until the floor is felt beneath my ass. Romeo lets go of my hand. I watch as Alfonso falls to the ground.

“I’m giving you an hour before I release my dog. Tell Nicoli I’ll be in touch.”

Romeo picks me up effortlessly. My body cradles into him. My eyes stay trained behind us, and I watch Alfonso stand up. Each step is a slow limp. It takes a couple of seconds to realize that Romeo shot the chain releasing him. He let him live. For me.

Alfonso stops and looks me right in the eye. Disappointment falls over his features. And I realize I admitted I love Romeo. Not only that, but he also didn’t say it back. Confusion swirls around me, not knowing what I should do next.

“Listen, Romeo—”

“Don’t say a word, Gia. I know it’s your go-to when you get nervous.”

I want to start about ten different conversations, not knowing which one to begin first. “I can walk.”

He grunts, not responding. I try to wiggle out of his hold, and he slaps me on the ass. It’s hard and stings. “I’ll kiss it better later,” he grumbles, still walking toward the house. He doesn’t seem out of breath or tired from carrying my weight.

He sets me down on the couch and stares at me. I’m not sure what he’s looking for. Heat creeps up my neck into my face, thinking I’ve embarrassed myself for blurting out an I love you. Romeo is not that type of guy. I’ve always known this. His silence is another reminder of it.

I don’t recognize my life anymore. How did one small thing like Alfonso telling me he can’t love me spiral into this?

I go to stand up, hating the weight of Romeo’s eyes on me, but he pushes me back down.

“I get it,” I grumble, refusing to look him in the eyes. “You don’t have to say anything.”

“Look at me, Gia.” He forcefully lifts my face with both hands. “You don’t fucking get it.”

He lets go of my face like it burns him. I will not cry in front of him. I won’t do it. I can’t embarrass myself more than I already have. “I forgot. I’m your prisoner, a means to an end. Don’t worry, my father will give you anything you want. I’m sure of it. All your dreams will come true once you hand me over.”

“Is that what you think of me?” He’s so angry-looking. Scary. “I wasn’t about to confess my love for you in front of your old lover. He does not get to be part of this with us. He gets no part of you. He lost that privilege. That privilege is now mine.” He brings my face back up, forcing me to look him in the eye. “I think I have always loved you. I tried like hell not to. But I do. I love you, and I’m not giving you back.”

“No one ever denies my father.”

“Until me.”

He looks so certain and determined. I want to believe him. No, I need to. Otherwise, what the hell are we doing? If we’re honest, I don’t deserve to be happy. Not after everything with my sister. Alfonso, who I thought was my soul mate, couldn’t even love me in the right way. Why would Romeo?