Page 19 of Blood and Penance
I have no other choice but to change the subject. There’s no way in hell now is the time to break the news to him he has a son.
One thing at a time, Phoenix.
“I’m waiting for a call back.”
“Okay…okay, that’s good, right?” I ask, a little relief moving through me.
This is good.
“Let’s hope so.”
He sighs, and his eyes fill with sadness, and I already know I don’t want to hear the next words out of his mouth. Now that I’m here with him, I know I haven’t dealt with our breakup even after all this time. But none of that matters. What matters now is the safety of my son.
“Phoenix, I want to say…”
I throw my hand up, cutting him off mid-sentence, a wave of anger rushing through me. I don’t need to hear I’m sorry from the man I have loved most of my life when he’s the one who caused me so much pain. Of course, I’m not innocent in all of this because I’ve kept Giancarlo a secret, but the past is the past. Once I know our child is safe, I’ll break the news to him, and we’ll both move forward with our lives just like we did the day we split.
“I don’t need you to say I’m sorry, Gianni. Things happened, now we’ve both moved on.”
“We did move on, and you got married.”
There’s so much bitterness in his voice, I shouldn't be taken aback, but I am. Why is he mad when he’s the one who broke things off between us? Did he expect me to just sit and waste away, pining over him. Or maybe he thought I would beg him for another chance? I don't know, but I had a child to raise while also being heartbroken and depressed. He has no right to be pissed at me.
“And you became a drunk then a priest.”
I know it’s a low blow throwing up his drinking problem, but he has some goddamn nerve being angry at me for something he caused. I was ready to spend the rest of my life with this man, and he threw me away like I was nothing. I don’t owe him shit.
He just glares at me, and I don't see the priest anymore. I see the man I fell in love with, but I don’t care. That man left me years ago. I shouldn’t even be here.
“You know what? This was a mistake,” I say as I rush toward the door. "I shouldn't have came."
“Phoenix, wait!”
I don’t stop. I’ll just have to figure things out on my own. However, when I snatch the door open, one person I hope to never see again stands in front of me with a smile on his face. A smile I wish I could slap off.
“I should have known all this was about you.”
I try to step around him, but he steps in front of me, blocking my path. “Sergio, move,” I sneer.
“No can do, Phoenix. Anyway, you may want to go back inside, I’ve got news about your husband.”
I whip around and glare at Gianni. Sergio should have been the last person he called. He hates my fucking guts.
“You called him?”
“There wasn’t anyone else to call, Phoenix.” Gianni’s attention goes to his brother. “What did you find out?”
Sergio looks around outside, then steps around me. “Can’t talk outside.”
“Phoenix, we need to know what we’re up against,” Gianni says. “I want to help you, and this is the only way. Let’s hear what Sergio has to say.”
“And you won’t try to stop me from leaving?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “No. I only want to help you, Phoenix. So, please let’s hear what he has to say. Then you can go.”
“Do you think we can trust him?”
Sergio chuckles, which tells me all I need to know. No, we can't but what other choice do I have?
