Page 69 of Bad for You

Of course, she merely laughs in response. “I failed as a parent.”

“You were never a parent, Gianna, so stop with the bullshit. What do you want?”

She closes the door, leaning against it. “Did you find Lewis?”

I inhale slowly because this is the first time she’s used his name. And she’s done so with intent.

“The way you’re looking at me, anyone would think I didn’t give you what you asked for.”

“You knew he was a junkie, didn’t you?”

Gianna examines her nails casually. “I was only trying to protect you. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for the two of you. But I can see that the time has come for me to let you spread your wings.”

“I’m not leaving Valentina here alone with you,” I state firmly.

“She’s a big girl. She doesn’t need you to protect her. She never did.”

“What are you planning? Whatever it is, I’m clearly not needed. Therefore, I can only assume you need Valentina to do something you cannot.”

Her back straightens because I’ve hit a nerve. “Choose your words wisely, Lennon.”

But she can go fuck herself.

“Or what? You’re all talk. If you weren’t, then you wouldn’t need two kids to do your dirty work. Valentina is everything you’re not. I won’t let you destroy her.”

Gianna’s eyes narrow. It seems the ice-cold queen does have feelings.

I wait for a response, but she simply leaves.

I wish I felt this was a victory, but I know…this is the onset of war.

Aldo is out back doing “stocktake.”

I honestly can’t believe that I’m back here, dusting a Himalayan salt lamp while listening to what sounds like whales mating to Enya.

But I cannot find anything that hints at this store being anything but a hippie haven.

I refuse to believe I’m wrong, though. Aldo’s reputation is infamous among all men. As is Gianna’s. And I’m caught between the two.

I know I shouldn’t have pushed Gianna, but I’m done. I can’t pretend any longer. I can only hope Valentina comes to her senses and thinks over what I said.

I need to uncover the connection between Gianna and Aldo. Yes, they’re rivals, but there’s something more. There’s a reason Aldo came to the orphanage. Valentina is the common denominator.

But why?

“Molto bene.”

Aldo’s praise snaps me the fuck out of my head.

He looks around the store in what seems like approval. If this is a test, then I think I passed.

“Want to come make a delivery with me?”

I notice he carries a large bag of white crystals.

Of course, I agree.

He locks up, and we walk toward a black Jeep. “No driver today?”

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