Page 66 of Plus-Size Bratva Possession
Everything had gone up in flames.
Chapter 21 - Elena
I was at our family’s lake house, hiding out. It had been three days since I left Gastone’s place, but still, I felt like I was living in that moment. I hadn’t had a moment of peace since that argument.
If one could even call it that.
He had been so cruel, so vicious, that I had no word for what to call it.
From the moment he walked out on me, I felt like I’d been drowning, fighting, and gasping for air. It took everything I had left in me to put on a smile and lie to Dom when I told him I was heading out to visit my family.
But of course, I didn’t go home. In fact, I’ve been ignoring every call from my brothers, from Kate, even from Larissa. How could I face them?
I couldn't bear the questions that would come my way. Didn’t want to hear the inevitablewe told you so.
So, like a coward, I came here instead. We'd used it as a hideout during territory disputes years ago, but it sat mostly empty these days.
The isolation suited my mood. I needed space to think and figure out what to do next. Every time I closed my eyes before bed, I saw Gastone's face. Sometimes, it would be the soft lowering of his lids as he reached for my lips with his own. At others, the cold, hateful look he gave me when I tried explaining my side of things.
He never even saw the photo. He truly didn’t care for what I had to say.
And that hurt more than anything else.
He thought I was lying. He thought I'd fabricated evidence to protect my family. How could he believe that after everything we'd been through? After the nights we'd spent together, the adorable sweet nothings? He had been so thrilled at the prospect of taking me out for dinner and drinks, but the next day, he looked like he couldn’t stand to be in the same room with me.
My phone buzzed again, lighting up with Federico's name. It was the fifth call today, but I watched until it went dark again. I knew my brothers would be worried, but I couldn't talk to them.
I knew I was being selfish, but I needed this time alone to cry, to grieve the life I thought Gastone and I were building.
I had started dreaming. That was the worst part. I truly thought nothing could come between us.
Gastone had called, too, of course. I never picked up. What would I say? That I was sorry for showing him the truth? Well, I wasn’t. I was sorry he was hurting, of course I was. But had he just listened, I could have helped him through it.
He chose to walk out on me. So what else did we have to talk about anyway?
The sun was setting, painting the lake in beautiful colors that I was far too distracted to truly appreciate, when I heard cars pulling up the gravel driveway.
I jumped off the couch and moved to the window, suddenly feeling petrified. No one was supposed to know I was here. Who could it be?
But when I saw my brothers and Larissa, my stomach twisted into itself.
“Shit,” I muttered, backing away from the window. If they were here, they would demand answers, and I didn’t have a story or an excuse. While I loved my family, they also tended to be intrusive, and I didn’t want them making decisions on my behalf until I’d decided whatIneeded to do.
I barely had time to compose myself before the front door swung open.
“Elena,” Caspian said when he laid his relieved eyes on me. “What the hell?”
The others stood beside him. Dante looked extremely annoyed, I noticed. In fact, everyone did. But Larissa... Larissa's eyes held an understanding that made my throat tighten.
“How did you find me?” I asked, unable to walk towards them. I felt cornered, not welcomed.
“One of the guards came by and saw your car,” Gio explained, crossing his arms. “We sent men everywhere looking for you.”
I winced.
“Do you have any idea how worried we were when Gastone called asking to speak to you?” Federico said. “We didn’t know where you were!”
I shrugged. “I needed space.”
