Page 99 of Toxic

My smile grows. Other women I dated who came from mafia families would ask about my safety at times, but I didn't care. Every time Bridget shows me any affection, it gives me hope she'll someday fully accept us as real. "Yeah. Can I make it up to you tomorrow night?"

"Sure."

"Can you tell Sean I'll pick him up tomorrow if he's free? Just have him text me."

"Okay. Will you text me when you get home? So I know you're okay?" she asks.

My heart stammers. "It's going to be late...you'll probably be sleeping."

"It's okay. Please?"

"Sure. I'll see you tomorrow, then?" I ask, hating that I even have doubts she'll let me take her out tomorrow.

She replies, "Yeah. Of course."

Relief hits me. "Okay. Tell Sean I'm sorry."

"I will. Be careful, Dante," she says with concern in her voice.

"Don't worry about me. I have to go. See you tomorrow." I hang up and meet Gianni in the garage.

One of my father's black SUVs is waiting next to the door. I hop in the backseat next to my brother.

He holds his hand up, motioning for me to be quiet. He seethes, "I've made myself clear, Cara."

I hold in a groan. Ever since Gianni found out Bridget went to the club with Cara, he's been hellbent on making sure she cuts off contact with Uberto. Cara and Gianni had an on-again, off-again, volatile relationship for years. While I don't know all the details, Gianni's never once denied his issues with Cara were his fault.

In high school, Cara put up with every sordid act Gianni did. He had her around his finger and got away with all his usual seedy bullshit. When they hit their thirties, Cara suddenly had enough of Gianni's games. She moved to Europe, which didn't stop him from trying to pursue her on our trips to Italy. But Cara wasn't the same naive, lovestruck young girl she was before. Her inability to resist Gianni's advances was gone. She made it clear she would never have anything to do with him again.

Gianni acted like it didn't bother him, but I know my brother well. His denial couldn't hide the truth of how he felt about Cara, even though he played her for years.

"I don't care if your upper-east-side family heritage is into what mine is or not! You're putting yourself in it by hanging out with that thug!" Gianni explodes.

The SUV pulls out of the garage. Snow comes down in a thick, white sheet. The car accelerates and creeps toward the gate.

Gianni throws me a look, shaking his head. "Jesus. This isn't about our past, Cara. You're playing with fire."

Part of me wonders if she's still hanging out with Uberto because she's that into him or if it's to piss off Gianni. Either way, Uberto is with the Abruzzos, making him the enemy, regardless of Gianni and Cara's history.

"If I come into the club and see you one more time—"

The faint sound of Cara raising her voice over Gianni's hits my ears.

"Do not hang up on me," Gianni growls then tosses his phone across the cab and into the opposite seat. "Fuck!"

I arch my eyebrows. "At what point do you accept she's on the other side now?"

"Shut up! She doesn't realize what she's doing," he claims.

"You sure about that?"

Gianni's eyes meet mine. "It's Cara."

I shrug. "Lots of people change. You don't know if she's working for him or just fucking him."

"Shut. Up," Gianni barks.

"Don't tell me you still have feelings for her? I thought you finished with her after she turned you down in Italy?" I ask, wishing for once he'd admit his feelings for her.

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