Page 32 of Fight Me Daddy

Calix

Gabriele was seton trying to convince me that the world was shit. But I wasn't buying it. Yes, there were horrible people, but there were good ones too. I stared at the pan of food I was cooking and frowned as I thought about Seth Hills.

I shivered. There are people who would sell their own children? I thought about my father and my chest tightened. He hadn't sold me, but he had forced me to deal with the Bianchi's while he ran off. I still had no idea if he was alive or dead and while I was pissed, I prayed he was okay.

My phone buzzed on the countertop and I scooped it up. Gabriele. I groaned and stared up at the ceiling before I put the phone back down. Not right now. I needed ten minutes to myself before I was immersed in whatever ridiculousness Gabriele wanted me to get involved in. He wouldn't let me live it down how I'd cum for him, and between him dangling that in my face and making me be his muscle, I was done dealing with his crap.

The phone stopped buzzing and I sighed. "Thank God. I'm surprised you can take a hint," I muttered to myself.

"I can't."

I jumped, the pan slipping from my hand. The grilled cheese I was making hit the floor and I hopped out of the way barely avoiding taking out one of my toes with the pan. I grabbed the front of my shirt and turned on Gabriele.

"What the fuck!" I yelled. "How did you get into my house?"

"Don't worry about it," he said as he walked over and picked up the pan before placing it back on the stove. He shut it off before he bent down and discarded the grilled cheese. "Why didn't you pick up my call?"

I stared at him. "Why did you call me when you were already here?"

"To see if you would pick up," he said with a shrug as he walked closer to me and pinned me against the counter. "And don't try to sidestep the question. Though I do admire it. You pulled a classic me technique."

"Yeah, I'm learning horrible habits from the best," I spat.

Gabriele grabbed my chin and grinned. "Why are you always in such a bad mood? Didn't you miss me?"

I swallowed thickly before I rolled my eyes. "Hell no. And I just saw you last night, what are you talking about?" I planted a hand in his chest and shoved him back. "Get out of my house. You smell like a brewery," I said picking up on it for the first time. "Where the hell were you?"

"Taking care of business," he said.

"Did you drive here?" I demanded. "If you kill someone because you're driving around like a dumbass while you’re drunk-"

"You could be worried about me you know," he said as he pressed up against me again. "What if I died?"

"Then the world would be a better place," I shot back.

Gabriele's face fell and he pulled back a bit. "Huh, you're probably right," he said as he turned around and pushed his fingers through his hair. "Hai assolutamente ragione."

I stared at his back, but he didn’t turn and look at me. Slowly, I stepped forward and laid a hand on his arm. Gabriele finally shifted around and stared at me as if he had no idea where he was. The recognition finally filled his eyes and he shook his head.

"Come have a drink with me," Gabriele said, the somber look still lingering on his face.

"Me?” I asked, incredulously. “Are you sure you want me?"

Gabriele nodded. "Yeah, come on Gonzalez. What the hell else do you have to do?"

Besides getting drinks with a dangerous, drunk, psychopath who's trying to get in my pants? Oh nothing.

Before I could even think of saying those words, I swallowed them down. He’s going through something. I glanced around my kitchen and sighed. I hadn't been doing anything anyway. A sandwich, a beer, and bed had been the only things on my agenda. Besides, what I’d said was out of line. I felt like I should say sorry, but it was easier to except his invitation.

"Yeah, alright," I finally gave in. "But only because you look like a pathetic puppy right now."

Gabriele smirked. "But you're the puppy, Calix. Isn't that right?"

I shivered. "Shut up or I'm not going."

"Alright, alright. Let's go!"

Gabriele moved through my house as if he'd been there a thousand times. It was dark outside and I could barely see, but he had no issues navigating. You've been in my house more than you let on, haven't you? Note to self. Change the locks.

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