Page 68 of Bad for You

But she won’t hand over that information without offering her something first, and that’s what I’m afraid of. What will Valentina have to do for Gianna to get what she wants?

“Nothing in this world is free,” I say, never breaking eye contact. “She’s trained you to be her little lapdog, and she’ll use you any way she wants because she has something you want. She’ll ensure you pay dearly for that information.”

“Speaking from experience?” she wisely asks. “You think she knows where your brother is, right? That’s why you’ve stayed.”

Yes, but I’ve also stayed for her. But I can’t tell her that without making her feel second best.

“Please, just come with me.”

It’s only a matter of time. I can feel it in my gut. And I can’t shake the feeling that it has something to do with Aldo.

“No,” she stubbornly states. “Now let me go.”

“Why are you loyal to her?”

“Why are you not?”

“Because I don’t trust her. The way she raised us, it’s not normal. It’s like she secluded us from the world for a reason.Like she didn’t want us to know what’s really out there because it’ll reveal who she really is.”

“She looked after us, Lenny! She fed us. Schooled us. She taught us how not to be a victim in this world. Before her, that’s all I was.”

“No, you weren’t,” I argue, releasing my hold around her neck. “You never were. But she’s brainwashed you into thinking you won’t survive without her. She needs you, not the other way around.”

“Find my mother, then! Get me the revenge I deserve on Father Merry and that fucking orphanage, and then I’ll come with you. Until then, I’m staying.”

“This isn’t just about your mother, is it? You stay because you owe her some sort of loyalty. Why? It’s because of her you killed a man without remorse. What will she have you do next?”

Valentina knows I’m right. She too knows that something wicked is coming this way. But she stays because Gianna has the answers we both need. But unlike me, who found Aldo, Gianna is Valentina’s only hope of getting what she wants.

I understand, but I fear what we both must lose to get the answers we seek.

“We can find what we need—together, and away from here.”

“Can you promise me that?”

I avert my gaze because I cannot.

“Then get out of my way, Lenny.”

“Why do you fight me every chance you get?”

I punch the wall in frustration.

Valentina doesn’t flinch. “Because I can.”

Every inch of my body protests, but I know no one will surrender today.

She opens the door and slams it behind her as she leaves me alone with my failure.

“Fuck,” I curse under my breath.

I knew she’d fight me, but this is worse than I thought.

Gianna has something over both our heads, but unlike me, Valentina doesn’t have a plan B.

I’m thinking of ways to make her see the danger she’s in when the door opens. I’m hopeful Valentina has come to her senses, but Gianna enters.

I don’t have the patience to pretend. “Get out.”

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