Page 86 of Broken Deal

“You can’t tell me what to do,” Amelia snaps.

“She told you guys to leave,” Lorenzo’s voice cuts in, calm but firm. He steps behind me and wraps his arm around my waist, the warmth of his touch grounding me. I glance at my hands, realizing they’re shaking. But the tremor starts to fade under the reassurance of his touch.

“Who the hell are you?” Miles retorts, glaring at Lorenzo.

“None of your concern,” I reply, shooting them both a fierce look. “What’s it going to take for you two to leave?”

“Babe, let’s go,” Miles says, gripping Amelia’s shoulders. “You know how bitchy Sophia gets. We can visit your mom another day.”

Lorenzo’s jaw tightens as he strides toward Miles, grabbing the front of his dirty, worn shirt. “Apologize,” he demands, his voice low and dangerous.

“What the fuck is your problem?” Miles protests, trying to wriggle free from Lorenzo’s grip.

Lorenzo tightens his hold, now gripping the back of Miles’s neck, forcing him to face me. “Apologize for calling her a bitch.Now.”

“Lorenzo, it’s fine—” I start to protest, but his fierce look stops me. I’ve never seen him like this before; he’s usually so laid-back and laughing. But now, anger radiates off him. His jaw is tight, and his eyes are a dangerous, darker shade of brown.

“Apologize,” Lorenzo repeats through gritted teeth.

“I-I’m sorry,” Miles stammers, his voice trembling.

With a sharp shove, Lorenzo sends Miles stumbling back. “Get out of here, both of you. And if I ever see either ofyou around again,” he adds, his glare boring into Miles as he points at him, “I’ll be breakingyournose.”

“This is not over,” Amelia mumbles, grabbing Miles’s wrist as they leave the hospital.

As soon as they’re out of sight, Lorenzo turns to me, his eyes scanning my face with concern. “Are you okay?”

“Yes. Areyouokay?” I ask, gently placing my hands on his face and caressing his jawline. “You lost your cool for a minute there.”

He relaxes at my touch, closing his eyes. “No one gets to insult you. Not in front of me.” His voice is firm and full of conviction, making my stomach flutter with a mix of emotions.

It’s safe to say at this point, we’re both playing with dangerous fire. And we’re already too far gone.

God, what mess did you get yourself into, Sophia?

A very big one. One that’s going to obliterate my heart.

As I stand in front of Sophia’s childhood home, it’s not what I imagined in the least. We arrived really late last night, and we were both exhausted, so I didn’t get to really see the outside.

It’s a small eastern farmhouse, the wood is worn, and the white paint is chipped away. The roof could also use some work. I’m not sure how it’s still standing, to be quite honest. The lawn is overgrown and in need of some love, too.

“You don’t have to stay, Lorenzo. Go back to Chicago, I’ll be fine here with Mom for a few days,” Sophia says, eyes on her phone. I swear, the woman never knows when to stop working. “You already stayed last night, and I’m sure you’ve got a million things waiting for you.”

She’s right. I have an impending list I couldn’t give less of a fuck about. As long as none of the restaurants are burning down, the rest can go to hell.

I glance at her, and though her blue eyes remain dull, I notice the exact moment her body tenses when her gaze falls on her childhood home. I’ve never seen her so jarred. My girl is usually all smiles and confidence, butthat hasn’t been the case these past few days. She’s been on edge, and when I try to pry information out of her, she shuts down. I’m out of my depth here, and I’ve been trying to be supportive, but she’s going to have to start cluing me in. Especially after the fight she had with her sister in the middle of the hospital. I’ve never seen her lose her cool like that.

I grab the grocery bags from the trunk of the car and head toward the house. “Stop trying to kick me out. Are you getting sick of me, Blue?” I gasp, pretending to be hurt.

She rolls her eyes. “I’m trying to give you an escape.”

If only she knew I don’t want an escape. I want to stay right here, next to her. Supporting her in whatever she needs.

“Mom, we’re home!” Sophia yells.

Charlotte was discharged this morning, and Sophia had Bailey come back to the house with her while we went to the pharmacy to pick up her mom’s medication and anything else we might need. I told Sophia we’d stay as long as she wanted, but I know she’d stay forever if she could. Unfortunately, she has to fly back to Chicago in a few days, because her boss is getting impatient. It’s frustrating, because Sophia’s balancing her job and being there for her mom instead of taking time off. I’m keeping quiet about it, though. The last thing Sophia needs right now is more stress.

“In here!” Charlotte calls from the kitchen.

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