Page 28 of Maddest Temptation

Someone gasped beside me, and I turned to find Marie staring at the fight, her hands covering her mouth, eyes almost popping out of their sockets. Sometimes I forgot she wasn’t Outfit and wasn’t used to this kind of violence.

A crowd had gathered around us and people were starting to stare. I dug my nails into the palm of my hands feeling guilty for what I had created. This was all my fault. I bit my lip, too, trying to focus on the pain instead of the shame.

Eventually, a bloody-faced Vitelli managed to pull Cassio back, he vibrated with anger. His hands were bloody, and his face contorted with pure, unending rage.

“Oh God,” Marie made to go toward Vitelli, but I pulled her back.

“He’ll be fine.”

“But he’s bleeding,” she cried out.

“Marie, don’t.”

“His brother hit him,” she whined in shock. I spun her so she faced me.

“Cassio Moretti is a dangerous man. Don’t ever doubt that.” It was advice I’d take to heart as well. “Don’t give him any reason to hate you.”

We both looked back at the scene when they began to shout at each other. Vitelli was still holding Cassio, locking his arms over his brother’s large body. Cassio was still trying to reach for Gianluca who smugly wiped his bloody lips and smiled.

“Ti ucciderò,” Cassio promised to kill Gianluca, and by the look in his eyes, I really thought he would.

“Get the fuck out of here, Gianluca,” Vitelli shouted.

He wiped his bloody hands on his pants, rolled his shoulders, and held his head high. His left eye was already beginning to close, but he didn’t seem to care.

Then to my horror, he looked at me, then back at Cassio. He shook his head as a sly smile graced his busted face. Gianluca walked away from the two Morettis, passing by Marie and me. He stopped, tipped his head, and winked.

“Evening, ladies,” he greeted and then finally left.

I couldn’t stop staring at Cassio, who had his eyes locked on mine. Had he been watching me this entire time? I thought he was busy with that blonde girl he had been talking to almost all night.

“You should leave,” Vitelli said to his brother.

“So now you’re telling me what to do?”

“Haven’t you done enough?” he raised a hand to his nose and cursed when it came away bloody.

The two men came toward us, and Cassio stared me down, probably thinking about all the ways he could murder me. He wasn’t alone in that sentiment either. Anger boiled in my veins as I noticed the entire party had stopped to watch us. Cassio ran his fingers through his hair like nothing had happened.

“Come on, we are leaving,” he said, I didn’t move. “Francesca, come on; I’m taking you home.”

“I can call a taxi,” I said irritably.

I felt Marie’s and Vitelli’s eyes on us, but Cassio once more didn’t seem to be bothered. “God only knows what other kind of trouble you’re going to get yourself into.”

I clenched my jaw and dug my nails into my palms, he wasn’t going to expose me out here, was he? Cassio wasn’t that crazy… or he was. I didn’t know him anymore. Even when I did, he’d always had one less screw in his brain.

“Francesca,” Cassio bit out impatiently

It was useless to argue with him, and I was too shaken to do so. Instead, I kissed my friend goodbye and thanked Vitelli for the party. The couple watched us leave. My shoulders grew tense and my face hot as we passed through the crowd.

I felt a hand on my back twisting the fabric of my dress and pulling me back.

“You did nothing wrong, Francesca.” Cassio’s breath tickled my ear, causing a shiver to race down my back.

We walked toward the elevator, while all the guests stared at us, and Cassio walked leisurely while I wanted to be out of here as fast as possible. I felt their judging eyes on me, and my cheeks burned with embarrassment. When we finally reached the elevator, the car was already there.

We stood as far away as possible from each other inside the elevator, and I still didn’t understand why he was taking me home. The last time we talked—or exchanged words—Cassio didn’t seem inclined to be around me.

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