Page 124 of Red Hot Harmony

And when it finally did, I was frozen and speechless and unable to hold my emotions at bay. They came rushing in all at once, refusing to give me a chance to sort through them.

“Don’t say shit you don’t mean, Frankie-boy.” I shook my head. “We’ve already been down this road before. You don’t want anything to do with me. I’ll destroy you and your life and the life of your family. It’s my nature.”

Something pricked the back of my eyes.

Oh, fuck...Were those tears?

Yes, they definitely were.

I sniffed, a poor attempt to prevent the floodgates from opening.

Frank must have noticed, because one minute he was across the room and the next, he was in my face, his hands on my shoulders. “It’s okay, Dante,” he murmured. “You’re family.”

I was crying like a baby then. It was embarrassing and I didn’t know how to make it stop.

Frank palmed my face, forcing me to look at him, which only made it worse.

I despised him for being so collected while I was falling apart like a sandcastle on the beach, ruined with one sweep of a wave. I also despised him for being the reason for this meltdown.

“Don’t do it, Frankie-boy,” I muttered between the sobs. “Don’t take me back.”

“Shit luck, man.” He grinned, still holding me up.Fucker fucking grinned. “We’re destined to do it together or not do it at all. Can’t you see?”

Yeah, I could see all right.

I could see many things.

But mostly, just me being a dick to everyone who came close.

There was a knock on the door and a slur of panicked voices slipped inside seconds later.

Cassy and Camille must have heard the noises and now they were refusing to stay away.

I felt their presence in the room, but my head was tossed back, eyes on the ceiling. Frank’s cheek was smashed to mine as he slapped the nape of my neck. That was how we were found.

“We were getting a little worried,” Cassy said meekly, stepping inside and surveying the mess on the floor.

Frank let me go and I wiped my eyes with my fists and leaned against the wall. Suddenly, my body was tired and my mind didn’t care to fight.

“It’s okay, doll. I’ll clean it up,” Frank told his fiancée as she attempted to pick up the items that had been the unwilling target of his wrath.

Camille stood in the doorway with Ally behind her, still grasping the Fender.

We’re destined to do it together or not do it at all.

The words twirled through my head, pushing all other thoughts away.

Did that mean what I thought it meant?

Or was I reading too much into it?

Soft whispers rolled through the room, then one by one, everyone exited the office, leaving me alone with Camille.

Her gaze wandered to the various pieces of furniture before landing on me.

“I really hoped you wouldn’t see me like this.” I produced a small laugh that didn’t sound like one at all.

“I don’t mind,” she said quietly and approached me, her hands at her sides, uncertain at first.

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