Page 107 of Ruining Vanessa

I hang up before I can say anything that makes him change his mind, but I’m seething. My knuckles are white from where I’m gripping the steering wheel so tightly, and it’s all I can do not to let road rage overwhelm me as I hit three fucking red lights in a row on the way to the fancy condos Damien and Giulio live in.

When I get there, I wait for the familiar guy at the desk to buzz me up, and I take the elevator to Damien’s floor. I’m calmer by the time I knock on the door—or at least, I look calmer, because I know he wouldn’t let Vanessa come with me if he realizes how pissed off and agitated I really am.

Of course, I nearly fuck that calm up when the door opens and it’s Giulio standing there, munching on an ice cream bar of all things.

“Hey,” Giulio says, and it sounds like he’s taunting me. “You want some leftovers to take along? I promise I didn’t let Damien completely drown it in spice, although apparently Vanessa’s suddenly got a taste for it.”

“I don’t want your artisan crap,” I say, trying not to growl out the words. Good for him that he’s so relaxed and at ease, just eating his fucking ice cream while I’m trying not to reach out and strangle him.

Giulio stares at me, licking the ice cream obscenely. “Sure. We made khao soi together. Vanessa’s actually not half bad at cooking. All that maternal instinct or whatever other sexist reason there is why women can cook better than men as long as it’s unpaid.” He laughs to himself. “That’s good, right? I swear, she always boggles when I make it clear I do know what a dick I am.”

I clench my jaw, really, really wanting to strangle him, and I can’t stop the surge of jealousy that races through me. So Vanessa cooked, and the three of them had a really nice dinner, huh? I could’ve left work early, if they’d invited me. It’s only just past six. Since when does Giulio even eat that early? It’s like they were purposely trying to leave me out and make sure I couldn’t come.

I’m being paranoid, I’m sure, but at the same time…

“Nah,” I say shortly. “Where’s Vanessa? I’m ready to go.”

He keeps staring at me though, while he keeps licking his ice cream. His tongue darts out, and I know he’s doing it on purpose now, trying to make it look like he’s sucking something a bit warmer than ice cream.

“Want me to blow you before you go?” he suddenly says. “Just this once, I won’t even suggest you return the favor.”

I blink at him. I hadn’t been expecting that at all. But it digs at me, because it almost feels like a consolation prize. A going away gift.

Fuck, what am I going to do if they really do cut me out of their lives?

“No,” Damien says, popping out from the kitchen. “We don’t have time for that. Stop trying to be late for everything.”

Vanessa is standing next to Damien, dressed in a knee-length wool sweater dress, tights, and long boots.

Giulio laughs and claps me on the shoulder. “He sees through everything! And blowing Slayer is a much better use of my time than meeting with that boring old fart.”

“Giulio, you’re already planning on cutting off a finger or something. It’s not going to be a boring meeting.” Damien rubs his brow. “Stop acting out.”

“He thinks I’m a toddler,” Giulio whispers loudly to me. “He’s going to regret having kids. Or maybe not. Everybody’s more manageable than me, right?”

I stare at Giulio, unimpressed. Usually, he’d have gotten a snicker or something from me at the very least, but I’m just not in the fucking mood. “Go have fun cutting off body parts,” I say. “Come on, Vanessa.” I try to keep my voice as even as I can. I don’t want to take my anger out on her. If I do, that’ll give Giulio the excuse he needs to keep her away from me.

Not that he really needs an excuse, apparently.

To my shock, Vanessa pauses long enough to give Damien a sweet kiss, doing the same with Giulio before she comes to my side. She hesitates, then leans in to kiss me, too. Startled, I don’t kiss back immediately, and she frowns when she pulls away.

I wrap an arm around her waist, my voice a little rough as I tell her, “C’mon.” I glance at Giulio and Damien. “I’ll drop her off in the morning.”

“Sure. Have fun. Vanessa, make him show you the train room. That might put Slayer in a better mood,” Giulio says, right before he shuts the door on us.

“Dick,” I hiss at the closed door.

Vanessa looks up at me, squirming a little against me. She looks unsure, and it’s clear she can sense my mood—not that I’m doing a lot to try to hide it. She says nothing, though, letting me lead her to the elevator. She doesn’t try to make small talk, and I don’t either. It isn’t until I get her in the car that I finally speak again.

“So, good dinner, huh?” I ask, my voice a little ugly.

She eyes me warily. “Yes. Giulio’s a good cook.”

I back out of my parking space, trying desperately to fight back the jealousy that just keeps creeping up more and more. “Good.”

She’s quiet for several moments while I get on the road heading toward my place. “Are… Are you all right?” she finally asks.

“Like you give a fuck,” I snap at her, unable to keep myself in check.

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