Page 48 of Caged Bliss

I look back toward where Angelo’s drinking his coffee and watching me. “I don’t think I can do that.”

“Please, Claudia, this isn’t about that stupid crap with Kayla. I know I was being a real fucking cunt when I said that, and I’m sorry. I was high, okay? And I hate being high around you because you hate it and—” She blows out another frustrated breath. “Just stay home for a little while. That’s all.”

Then she hangs up. I stare at the phone for a few seconds, trying to process. “You good?” Angelo asks. He’s standing closer now, watching me.

“I’m fine.” I don’t look at him, still trying to put that conversation together in my head. Serena’s right, a part of me is wondering if that was about keeping me away, but she didn’t sound high. That’s giving me pause. She sounded clear, like herself, and she sounded scared. “Serena thinks Tommy’s onto us.”

Angelo’s shoulder tense. He cocks his head. “Tell me exactly what she said.” I give him the short version and his jaw flexes. “She’s right. You’re staying home.”

“Absolutely not,” I say and push past him when he comes toward me. I grab my coffee and down half of it, even though it’s still too hot. My hands curl into fists and I glare at him. “I’ve been handling myself just fine. I’m not about to walk away from Cage right now. You didn’t hear her, but she sounded scared.”

“She’s scared for you. Which means you should listen. Your sister’s a survivor.”

“My sister’s an addict.”

“And addicts have a sixth fucking sense for this sort of thing. If she says stay home, then you’re staying home.”

“No.” I stare him down, aware that I’m being irrational, but I don’t care.

The second I stop going to Cage is the second I lose Serena. That’s been my feeling from the start. Sure, I’ve taken nights off, but this isn’t going to be a break, I can feel it. This is the start of her pushing me away.

And I won’t let that happen, not for any reason.

“Tommy knows I’m coming for him.” Angelo speaks low and slowly like he’s making sure I take in every single syllable. “Roc and Vito were working with him when they stabbed me in the back. They were all in that shit together, and the second I started picking them off is the second they began talking again. I’d bet anything Roc’s in touch with Tommy, and the fuckers are making plans. And those plans might involve you.”

I look at the ceiling and squeeze my eyes closed. “If we hadn’t gotten involved, Tommy wouldn’t have been skeptical.”

“No, probably not,” he admits.

“Then this is your fault.” I stare, trying not to breathe hard, but I’m so mad. I can’t lose Serena over this, but if Tommy thinks I’m working with the guy that wants him dead, then I’m screwed. He won’t ever let me near my sister again. “I’m going in and I’m going to prove that we’re not together.”

He goes very still. I regret saying it the second it leaves my lips, but it’s the truth, we’re not together. We had sex, but that doesn’t mean we’re married, much less dating. Angelo’s not my boyfriend, and I don’t owe him anything.

“That’s a bad idea,” he says and his tone’s neutral now like he’s burying his feelings.

That hurts. I hate seeing him like this. But Serena’s my priority. “Maybe, but it’s how things have to be. I can’t let my sister down.”

“Yeah, I hear you.” He turns away and heads to the door. “I can’t stop you from making a bad decision, but if you were smart, you’d listen to Serena. You’d stay far away from Cage. At least until I’m finished with that place.”

Then he’s gone. The door shuts behind him. I feel twisted and pulled thin, yanked between two extremes, from the joy of sharing my bed with him, to this utter disaster.

Except I’m determined, and I know this is the right call. Even if it hurts.

Chapter 25

Angelo

Cage’s music pounds against my skull. I’ve had a headache ever since Vito smashed my brains with that fucking piece of scrap wood. Lucky me, if it had been an actual baseball bat or a metal pipe, I’d probably be dead right now. At least I’m in clean clothes and Laura stitched up the arm again. I sit at the far end of the bar and drink a beer while Claudia dances in her sexy little costume looking like she’s going to cut off someone’s head.

I’m thinking that someone is me.

She shouldn’t be here, but the girl’s too stubborn. I should’ve known this would blow back on her eventually and done something to ease her fears sooner, but here we are. I won’t hang her sister out to dry—this vendetta against Tommy is going to come to a head sooner or later, and when it does, I’ll make sure Serena’s protected from the fallout.

But I get it, Claudia doesn’t know that, and even if I told her, she doesn’t completely believe me.

Maybe it would’ve been better if I hadn’t gone to her apartment last night.

Except I can’t bring myself to regret that.

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