Page 112 of Bad for You

“You’re fucking kidding me! We’re in an all-out war, and you’re worried about your reputation!”

“This will never stop!” He beseeches I see reason. “She must be made an example of!”

I soon realize what he means.

He wants to blame Gianna for the mole in the midst, saving Bria.

“There can only be one winner, Lennon. I prefer it is me. Don’t you?”

He’s the better of two evils. But why does Valentina want him dead? What did Gianna tell her?

But he’s right.

I can ask questions later because now, this bitch is going to be put down.

We fight side by side, Gianna’s men a laughingstock as they don’t stand a chance. Valentina limps, clutching her side, but she never gives up. Gianna is scolding her in Italian to stop, but Valentina shakes her head.

“He’s the reason I’m like this!” The back of her hand comes away bloody as she wipes her mouth. “He’s the reason my mother left me there to rot!”

I have no idea what is happening or what she is saying, but I look at Aldo, who suddenly looks guilty.

“It’s true?” I ask, punching anyone who dares interrupt this moment of truth.

“I can explain.”

But it’s too late.

“You knew this entire time, yet you never said a word.”

“Lennon…”

I don’t give him a chance to speak. I punch him straight in the jaw. He staggers back while Bria’s eyes widen.

“What the fuck are you doing?”

I can’t speak because I feel nothing but betrayal. I trusted him, but he’s been lying to us both this entire time. He came to the orphanage to “rescue” Valentina, but he was only there to save his ass in case she ever found out the truth.

I always thought Gianna was the villain, but is Aldo the bigger monster of us all?

At this point, I don’t trust anyone. All they care about is greed and power. I was wrong to ever doubt Valentina, and now I must right the wrongs.

“Lennon, don’t be stupid!” Bria screams, but I ignore her and punch Aldo square in the jaw.

Aldo and I commence fighting while Gianna and Valentina are still locked in battle. I read Aldo’s moves and dodge each attack with ease. Bria grips my forearm, attempting to stop me, but if she is against me, then she is the enemy too.

I don’t want to hurt her, but if I have to choose, she will always lose.

Valentina is suddenly by my side and has no issues fighting a girl. She kicks Bria in the stomach, who staggers backward, clutching her abdomen.

Thisis how I wanted this war to go—Valentina and I on the same side. We don’t talk; we merely fight to protect the other because now, it really is us versus the world.

Valentina and I are shoulder to shoulder, so I assume she has knocked Bria out cold. We face off with Aldo, who stands before us, shaking his head.

“All I wanted was to help you.”

“Don’t fucking lie! Gianna told me the truth! You came to that orphanage because you felt guilty for everything you’d done. My mother—”

“I was saving you from your mother!” he interrupts, on guard.

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