Page 17 of Bittersweet Endings
“Should come to the ring with me.” He smirked. “Taking it out on yourself isn’t healthy. I have men you can beat on.”
“I’d like that.”
He leaned in slightly, appearing almost conflicted. “Blaming others is easier than coping with the guilt. Blaming you keeps them from admitting they missed the signs, that theyfailedyou.”
“Maybe they’re right about me,” I grumbled.
“I don’t think anyone really knows you, Octavia,” he replied with a tight shake of his head. “They’re just scared and pissed off and looking for a target.”
“I’m always the target, it seems.”
His hand clamped over my leg, grounding me. “The secrets you’ve kept. The men you’ve outlasted. The way you’ve protected this family even when they didn’t deserve it…” He stood tall, his jaw set hard. “You’re a little badass, Tave. Don’t let them forget it.”
I nodded as I wiped away the tears and took a deep breath. When I was ready, I followed Rocco out to the car and we headed towards the restaurant. Of course, we pulled up outside of Vino because where else would Apollo allow my sister to go?
“Thank god.” Sienna jumped out of her seat and wrapped her arms around me. “Adult time!”
My father’ssoldatosstood around the restaurant. Watching. When movement out of the corner of my eye made me pause. My heart sank as the innocent brunette wandered up to the table.Bella.
I grabbed the glass of wine that was waiting for me and took a hearty sip. A moment of guilt settled over me. While I didn’t feel upset that I’d stood up for myself, it wasn’t fair that I’d directed it at the wrong person.
Refusing to look at her, I sighed. “Bella, I’m sorry for what you overheard. I don’t blame?—.”
“Stop. I made Lucky promise to find Peiro.” Her expression hardened. “I am tired of my family getting away with hurting people.”
“Tired of men getting away with hurting people,” I added, and she nodded.
“Tired of men, in general—personally,” Sienna added,grabbing her water glass. “And their potent sperm. One little shit who’s just like his father is enough. Two… I am going to the looney bin.”
“Wait.” I stared at my sister as Bella’s jaw dropped. “What’re you saying?”
Sienna burst into tears. “He’s trying to knock me up again.”
I tried to stifle a laugh.
“I don’t mind the practice, but I swear… The books he’s reading… the ideas he’s getting... All goddamn old wives’ tales! He wanted me to lie on my back with my legs in the air after he came.”
Bella and I were silent before falling into a fit of laughter. And just like that, I felt like the better parts of theold mehad resurfaced. We tried to comfort Sienna with a smile.
“I take it he’s excited?” I felt myself stroking my own stomach absently.
“Yeah.” She rolled her eyes. “You know in hisApolloway.”
“So… off-putting, moody, and strange?” I added, and she laughed. “Just wait, he probably wants to deliver the baby himself.”
“My god, he already said that. Said he wasn’t around for Salvatore, so he’d deliver the next one himself!” She shook her head. “He is trying to make me second-guess myself, like I haven’t done this already.”
My hand remained on my stomach as I shifted in my seat. My memory throttled back to when Carmine broke my goddamn heart. Glancing at the men spread out around us, I felt my vision narrowing.
***
“I fucking hate you.”
“Not as much as your family is going to hate you.” He stalked closer. “Think about it. We never used protection. Notonce.” His eyes dropped to my stomach before flicking back up to me. “I hope I knocked your ass up. That your parents won’t be able to bear the sight of you with a little Ragetti in that womb of yours. Now stay the fuck out of my way until it’s time to leave.”
“I hate you!” I screamed at his back.
***
