Page 16 of Vows of Betrayal

His eyes really bore into mine. “I have a feeling you’re about to ruin meatballs for me entirely. I won’t want anyone else’s except yours.”

Something zinged through me at that moment—but I wasn’t sure what it was. I actually thought I was low-level getting electrocuted or something. But I knew that was stupid.

Whatever was happening between me and the very critically injured man in the bed—was something I’d never experienced before.

“My meatballs are tasty, Stefan. But they won’t change your life or anything.”

He chuckled and grabbed his chest as he did. “I disagree, Chesca. I really disagree.”

6

Francesca

“Ilove you. I’ll take a bullet for you any day of the week, sweetheart.” Stefan’s voice drifted out of the open door to my ears.

All the air whooshed out of my lungs, and I was in immediate danger of falling over. Luckily, my hand found the wall, and I leaned on it.

“It wasn’t fair. You should have let him shoot me instead,” a woman’s soft voice said as she wept. “This is all my fault.”

Stefan sighed loudly. “Not in a billion fuckin’ years would I allow you to take a goddamn bullet. Why would you say something so stupid? Huh? And who would be around to take care of the babies? My idiot brother?”

She—whoever the heck she was—let out a laughing cry. “He’d do just fine without me. You know that.”

Stefan’s voice boomed over hers, “Bullshit! Stop talking like that, Giselle. None of us can ever do just fine without you. Say that again and I’ll—”

The woman—Giselle, I guess—hiccupped, “Or what, Stefan? You’ll give me a dirty look?”

Silence filled the air for a moment before they both laughed.

And it turned my stomach something awful.

The familiar way they spoke.

Like they knew each other—but they also—knew—each other.

And like there was a lot of history there. History that I had no knowledge of whatsoever.

For some reason, that made me sad.

When the laughter petered out, Giselle said, “You need to talk to him. He’s your brother. You need to forgive him. And Nick.”

A few seconds later Stefan’s tone was harsh and clipped. “Don’t hold your fuckin’ breath on that one. They can both rot as far as I’m concerned.”

This time it was Giselle’s turn to sigh. “They’re so worried about you. After—” she sniffled, “after, you know, they were out of their minds worried for you. I don’t think Carlo has slept a minute since it happened. Eve says the same thing about Nick. He’s sick about the whole thing.”

Stefan chuckled, but it wasn’t a happy laugh. “Aww, poor assholes.”

I quietly stepped into the room. He was clearly getting upset. I should stop this little visit now before he goes off the rails.

The gorgeous brunette I’d seen outside Stefan’s door the other day was apparently—Giselle. And she didn’t look any less beautiful today even though she was crying.

She stood at his bedside, holding his hand with both of hers.

“Just listen to them? At least let Nick come and talk with you?”

I could tell Stefan was trying his best to harness his rage. I could hear it in his voice when he said, “I don't give a fuck about either of them.”

Giselle's head fell forward, and she sobbed, “You don't mean that.” Then she looked up at him. “What about Eve? She wants to see you. Please, honey?” Hearing her call Stefan “honey” made me sick to my stomach. It also made me want to rip her arm off.

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