Page 43 of A Sinner's Virtue
I can do this. I’m just going to be hanging out at the house. I don’t need to go anywhere. And it’s only a week. Two tops.
Chapter Nineteen
Three weeks later
You know that whole saying about letting people go and if they come back, they’re yours? If they don’t, then they never were? Yeah, I call bullshit on that. I’ve let Zoe go, but every fibre of my being still says that girl is mine.
Of course I can’t say shit like that to her, especially if I want to get her back. Which I do. I’ve been patient. At this point, I should be nominated for fucking sainthood on account of that patience.
I don’t text and call her nonstop. Well, not after the first week.
Because after that first week, I got the message loud and fucking clear that she wanted space. I know she’s scared. I understand why, and most of the time, I actually think she’s probably better off as far away from me as she can possibly get. Knowing that doesn’t mean I have to fucking like it, though.
I miss her more than I’ve ever missed anyone before. I’m about ready to give up on the whole Mister Cool-Calm-and-Patient act and get on a flight over to New York. How can she realise that whatever we have is worth fighting for if it’s not right in front of her face? If I’m not there to convince her?
This is the very definition of being stuck between a rock and a hard place. Whatever I decide to do, it’s the wrong fucking thing. If I stay and wait her out, sit here twisting my thumbs, hoping she’ll come back… I might never see her. If I go over there, make a scene, pressure her to come home with me… I might push her away for good.
“You need to get laid,” Vin says, walking into the room.
“What I don’t need is sex advice from a fucking teenager who doesn’t know his dick from his balls,” I grunt without bothering to look at him.
“Whatever. I’m not the one with a bad case of blue balls. My balls are getting plenty of love on a daily basis.” The asshole laughs.
“Anyone have the safe sex talk with you yet? You better be making sure you’re wrapping it before using it. The last thing we need is De Bellis spawn running around.” I raise a questioning brow at him.
“Yeah, that’s not happening. At least not from me,” he replies.
“What are you doing home? Shouldn’t you be at school or something?” I ask as soon as I realise it’s the middle of the day on a Friday.
“I was at school. I need your car.”
I blink at him. The fucker has his own car. In fact, we have multiple cars in the garage. What the fuck does he want with mine?
“Why?”
“Because I need to follow someone, and your car doesn’t draw attention.” He shrugs.
“Who you following?”
“No one you know. Can I use it or not?”
I consider questioning him more. I should question him more, but sometimes it’s better not to know what my brothers are up to. “Fine, but don’t fuck it up.” I pull my keys out of my pocket and toss them his way.
“Thanks, bro. Catch ya 'round,” he says before strolling out of the room. Like he doesn’t have a care in the world.
“Marcel, wake the fuck up.” Santo’s voice breaks through my sleep.
“What the fuck? Go and find someone else to piss off,” I grunt.
“Get up. Gabe got pinched.” My brother’s words have my eyes snapping open.
“What the fuck for?” I’m up and off the sofa I fell asleep on God only knows how long ago. One of my brothers getting pinched? It could be for fucking anything.
“They’re in Sydney. I don’t know everything. Gio just called,” Santo says.
“Fuck.” I tug my phone out of my pocket and dial Gio’s number.
“Marcel, I’m busy. Can it wait?” he answers.
