Page 7 of Bruno
“David McBride was my father. Just because you left him…”
“I didn’t leave him.” I glance quickly at Bruno as things get even more heated. Just long enough to see his stiff reaction. Did he know about my marriage to David? “We got divorced because our marriage wasn’t working for either of us. We explained all that to you. It was just one of those things.”
“Was it? Or were you waiting for this jerk to show up? A man who didn’t care enough about either of us to send so much as a postcard all these years. Maybe you’re okay with that crap—”
He doesn’t get another word out. Bruno has him up against the wall. His index finger jabs into Chris’s chest like the barrel of a gun. “Enough,” he roars, followed by a silence so intense it’s as dangerous as his words. “You’re angry at me, and I understand that. I deserve it. But your mother doesn’t. You don’t know enough about our decisions or sacrifices to punish us the way you think we deserve. So shut up about things you can’t possibly understand. But understand this: you will never disrespect her when I’m around.” Bruno puts his hands down and steps back, ready to fight if necessary. “Do you understand?”
Chris lowers his head, and mumbles, “Yes.” He nods and folds his arms across his chest and his brows lower.
“I can’t hear you,” Bruno says.
“I said yes.” Chris raises his defiant eyes and voice.
“Good.” Bruno steps back again, giving Chris some space. “Now, your mother and I were having a discussion. Take the hallway and turn left, you’ll find the kitchen. Help yourself to whatever you want.”
Chris straightens up from the wall and rolls his shoulders back. His stance is just as protective and stubborn as his father’s. It’s like Bruno has been raising him all these years, and I’m the stranger. “I’m not going anywhere until I know she’s okay.”
Chris’s words break off a piece of my heart. After a long look, Bruno nods and says, “She’ll be fine. I would never hurt your mother.”
I bite my lip as another piece breaks. Doesn’t he know no one has ever hurt me more? After Chris gives him a once-over, he nods. But not without a parting shot. “If you need me, mom, you know where to find me.”
I nod because I don’t have a word to say—not even a four-letter one.
Chapter 3
The tight rope connecting us swings wildly as we try not to slip and fall. Finally, she breaks the silence with a surprising question: “So you know about David?”
I feel anger flare up, but I quickly rein in my emotions. “I do know, and we can discuss that…later,” I sneer, refusing to acknowledge her marriage.
“There’s nothing to discuss. He was here, and you weren’t,” she interrupts, raising a hand to stop me. “The fact remains, regardless of the reason.”
I can’t argue with that rightnow.
“I may not be a father, but I understand that we need to present a united front for our son. So what do we tell him?”
“Before we get to that, I want to be clear.” She barely reaches my shoulder, but looks straight into my eyes. “I don’t want a romantic relationship with you. We had our chance, and it didn’t work out. I’m not here for a second chance. You want me. I want you. We once had something strong, but it ended. Our bodies may remember…”
“…could never forget,” I interrupt.
“But,” she continues, ignoring the truth. “We’re not the same young couple anymore. I’ve never jumped into bed with a man just because he made me feel good, and I never will. I’m here to protect my family, to keep my son and me safe from the danger you brought upon us. So if we have to share this house, fine. But sharing a bed is out of the question. Don’t touch me like that again.”
“And if I can’t resist? What if I can’t be in the same room as you without touching you?”
She rolls her eyes. “You controlled yourself for all these years; I’m sure you’ll manage fine.”
“That was before I saw you again, felt you.” I step closer. “Now that I’ve had a taste of you…”
Her eyes widen with surprise… and heat “Sal…” She bites her lip, the tip of her tongue coming out to soothe the small wound.
I force myself to keep my hands by my side. They want to reach for her, pull her close, and hold her. But she’s not ready—yet. But she’d be a fool to believe I’d give her up so easily. That shit is not happening again.
“Don’t do this. You came back into our lives and turned everything upside down. Could you make me want you? Yes, I admit that. But there’s no future for us. You were right years ago when you sent us away. I couldn’t see it then, but I do now.”
“Did I?” The afternoon sun burnishes her bronze skin like a dream. A ghost I’ve summoned to help me through the lonely nights. But she’s as real as the ground beneath my feet. To have her close is more painful than the worst day without her.
“I’ll do my best to behave, won’t touch you,” I say, and she nods, shoulders slumping.Relief or regret?“Unless you want me to.”
She shakes her head again. “You don’t understand, do you? It’s over. It has been for years.”
