Page 154 of Carnal

"That's a week away," I restate.

"It's the best option we have," he claims.

"You're all cowards," I declare.

"Tristano—" Dante starts to rebuke.

"If you ever cared about her, you'd help me," I state.

He crosses his arms. "You know I care about her."

"Funny way of showing it," I mutter, shoving past him and leaving the office. I storm up the stairs and run into Arianna and her baby girl, Nicoletta. Killian and Liam O'Malley had business with Tully, and they dropped her off yesterday.

"Hey! You okay?" Arianna asks.

"Waa!" Nicoletta screams.

"Shh, it's okay," Arianna coos, caressing Nicoletta's head.

She screams louder.

"Hey now. What's wrong?" Arianna asks, then yawns.

The only thing that's given me any relief from my suffering is Nicoletta. Plus, my sister looks exhausted. I hold my hands out. "Give her to me."

"It's okay. You look like you're in the middle of something," Arianna claims.

I take the baby. "Go take a nap. I'll take care of Nicoletta."

She farts. It's loud and long. I'm pretty sure by the smell of it that she pooped her pants.

"Oh, baby girl," Arianna frets.

I freeze.I need my baby girl back.

What's he doing to her?

Does she even remember me?

Arianna tries to take Nicoletta from me.

"I said I have her," I repeat, then shove past my sister and go into her bedroom suite.

Nicoletta cries louder.

She follows. "Tristano—"

"I said I have this," I bark.

Arianna's eyes widen.

Nicoletta's scream turns into a sharp noise that hurts my ears.

I sigh and tell Arianna, "I'm sorry. Let me change her. You take a nap."

Arianna doesn't look convinced.

"I wouldn't hurt her," I state.

---