Page 78 of Taboo Flames

It didn’t make any of it hurt any less though.

CHAPTER 21

Giovanni

Istare at Aurora’s exit like a pathetic fool. It’s why I don’t notice Leo’s intention until I’m reeling back with the force of his punch. I lick the inside of my cheek, tasting blood.

I spit into the sink but make no move to hit back.

“Are you just going to stand there and let me hit you? Because I don’t plan on quitting until you’re enough colors to be mistaken for a rainbow,” Leo growls furiously.

I just shrug noncommittally.

I deserve far worse for what I’ve done to Aurora. So he can give it his best shot. No matter how much he hurts me physically, it will never be any match for how I’m feeling on the inside because of her.

Leo lets out a disgusted sigh. “Fuck, man. I can’t believe you’re in love with her. I need a drink.”

He makes his way to one of the top cupboards and pulls out a bottle of whiskey.

I glare at him. “First, you barge into my home, and now you’re stealing my drinks.”

“I rang the doorbell several times and left you so many calls. I was beginning to think you were dead.”

“How did you even get in here?” I ask, annoyed.

“You should really think about changing the code on your front door. Even a toddler can guess it.”

It was the same thing Aurora said. I just grunt and drop into the chair beside Leo, and he passes me a glass full of whiskey.

“Thanks,” I tell him.

“Don’t thank me yet,” Leo says in a low voice. “What the hell, Gio? How did you end up getting whipped for Rory?”

“I’m not whipped for her,” I deny immediately.

Leo snorts sarcastically. “In the whole time that we’ve been friends, I don’t think you’ve let me get in a single hit, but now, not only did I get in a cheap hit, but you were all but willing to stand there and take more like some self-sacrificing asshole. Fortunately for you, I don’t like picking fights with people who aren’t going to fight back.”

I raise the glass in a salute and say mockingly, “Lucky me.”

“Well?” he presses.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Sure you don’t.” He rolls his eyes.

At the moment, I hate the fact that Leo knows me so well and can see through my bullshit from even a mile away.

With a sigh, he stands up, throwing his glass back and gulping down the rest of his drink. “I have a feeling you will be in a bad mood for a while, so I’m gonna leave this pity party before it even starts.”

I turn to glare at him. “Fuck right off. And the next time you barge in here, I’ll put a bullet in your head.”

“That is if you’re not too distracted trying to see how far down my sister’s throat your tongue can get.” He makes a face and shudders. “I’m going to try and get that image out of my head.”

“Did you want something?” I snap.

He chuckles. “Yeah, but your head’s too far up your ass for me to have a conversation with you right now.”

He heads toward the door, but just as he gets there, he turns to look at me from over his shoulder.

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