Page 73 of Weaponized

“Wait, what?” This from Anthony. Gianni looks pale, but remains silent, glaring.

Rowan turns back to me. “She told me that you knew of some conversation she had with my father. There was onlyonesuch conversation because she only talked to himoncethis entire fucking semester. That’s how close we are to him. I was with her when it happened.In her apartment.Wasn’t hard to figure outsomeonehad ears on us. Probablysomeonewith a key. Funny. Only people who have a key are her, me, and her fuckingboyfriend.” He is shaking with anger. “But the video? Fucking video? Well, that’s fucked up, asshole. Youwillgive it to me.”

“I don’t have it!” I bellow. “I didn’t plant anything! Fuck!” I put my hands in my hair and pace away from him. I want to tear it out. I’d think he was making this up, but the high-end electronics at my feet beg to differ.

I growl, and Rowan must think the gesture is directed at him, because he shoves me hard, his patience having worn out. I grab him by the throat with a roar. Unfortunately, not only did we not think about weapons when Rowan entered our home, we also didn’t think to lock the door behind him.

I hear the click of the .38 before I see it. A large guy in all black has swung open my front door and has the barrel of his revolver pointed at me.

“You’ll release the boss now, big boy,” the stranger states calmly. I can see movement in my periphery when he continues. “The red dot on your brother’s forehead meansmybrother has a clean shot.”

I look out my foyer window and step away from Rowan. “I’m not the enemy here.”

“Yeah? Well you better figure out which one of your fuckface friends or family members is.I want that video, Larozzi. I want it by the end of the day.” Rowan’s tone has taken on a threatening quality. “Your family wants to come at us? Come at us like men. My sister lives on campus—that means she should be left the fuck alone. You have no idea what hell she’s been through. No fucking idea the things my father has done.She is risking her life, you stupid motherfucker. And I have no problem eliminating any threat to her.” His lip is a snarl.

He’s right. Living on campus issupposedto come with some level of protection. I’m breathing heavy, listening to his rant. “How? How is she in danger?” I choke out the words. He’s telling the truth. At least as he knows it. She isn’t safe. I’m barely registering my own lack of safety, given that Rowan’s guy still has a gun aimed at my face.

“No. Uh uh. You threw her out like yesterday’s garbage,” Rowan accuses. “I’ll take care of things now and figure out how to protect her. And, whenyoufigure out how much you fucked up—and you will—you don’t get another chance to break her. Find the fucking video, Luca.”

“Enough,” my brother barks. “We’ll find the video, Rowan. We are on your side on this one. If video exists, we don’t want it out there either.”

“I’ll be in touch. And Luca?” Rowan huffs. “Stay the fuck away from my sister. She’s too fucking good for you.” He turns to leave.

“Fuckin’ Italians,” the guy in black mutters as he follows behind Gráinne’s brother, slamming the door behind them.

I’m stunned. I’m staring at the few pieces of equipment laying on the floor. It’s Anthony who bends over to pick one up, inspect it.

“What did you do?” he asks Gianni in a hoarse voice.

“I didn’t do anything.Jesus.I’m so sick of this shit. You were supposed to be my friends, and then that little cunt came along. Now everything I say is a lie?” I can’t help it.I shove him. Hard. He stumbles and hits our wall.

“I can’t help you if you don’t tell me what happened,” Anthony tries again, practically begging Gianni, ignoring the murderous look in my eyes and Gianni’s position, huddled against our wall.

Gianni shakes his head as he straightens. “Fuck all of you. I don’t need this shit. You don’t want to believe me? Fine! Fucking assholes.” He glares at us and then follows the same path Rowan did out of our home, slamming the door behind him. None of us try to stop him.

“Anthony?” I ask. My cousin has turned pale as he runs his fingers over the equipment.

“This is why the recording of Gráinne was so clear,” he says to Matteo. “This surveillance stuff is ours. It’s top-of-the-line. It’s hard not to recognize.”

I fall back against the same wall I shoved Gianni into. This can’t be happening. I knew Gianni broke into her place to get the file. He admitted that. But, he was recording her? Us? For how long? Why?

I feel numb as I look to my brother. “Call Pop.”

“What? Why?”

“I need to know if he ordered the cameras.” My stomach dives at the thought, but I know it’s entirely possible. It’s the only reason I let Gianni walk out the door. I don’t want to lose my temper before I know all the facts. Not many people have access to our cameras, and as Umberto’s son, Gianni is one of the few who does. He’s not safe around me right now. When I’m calm, when I know more, I’ll find him.

I turn around and walk back past our kitchen, heading down to the media room. I lie on the couch and focus on my breathing as I wait for Matt to find our father. My need to go to Gráinne is overwhelming. She must be freaking out about the potential of a video of us. Of the private, intimate things that were recorded. And, I need to know what her brother meant about how she’s risking her life. Or that I broke her. I need to hold her, as much to comfort myself as her. But, I know I’ve lost that right. While I don’t have the full story, I’ve seen enough to know that I believed Gianni way too easily.

Stay the fuck away from my sister. She’s too fucking good for you.

Yeah. She is. I’m not sure how long I just lie there. At some point, my father walks into the room. “You okay?” His deep voice radiates with concern.

“No. I’m really not,” I answer him honestly.

He nods at this. “I didn’t ask for any cameras.” I exhale in relief. “Come with me. There’s a lot to talk about.”

I rub my eyes and rise slowly. I follow my dad into our living room, where Anthony has a laptop on the coffee table. I take a seat next to him.

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