Page 18 of Did My Heart Love Till Now?

Joey, who was awkwardly looking outside the glass door, clicked his tongue on the roof of his mouth. “We should go.” He forced a comforting glance at Sofia.

Bowing her head, she scuffed outside.

Joey followed her. With one foot out the door, he spun around. “Parting is such sweet sor—”

“Get out!” I shoved him out the door, slamming it behind him.

The ride back home was painful. I peered out the window silently. Droplets of tears rolled down my cheeks and the reality began to sink in. My uncle was more like an older brother to me than anything else. I knew Gavino had not done it so I could not hold it against him. I genuinely liked him and wanted to see him again.

As the car sped, the world outside seemed to be moving in slow motion. I clutched his rosary, praying for everyone involved. When I arrived home, my house would be a hostile environment, but it was the safest place for me to be right now.

My mind was wandering, and I glimpsed at Joey. He was glaring ahead at the road with a clenched jaw, trying to stay as far away from me as possible. His eye darted at me from the corner of his sunglasses, then back at the road. Suddenly, he reached into the center console, digging out a travel package of tissues. He tossed them into my lap.

“Thank you.” I mumbled into the thin material as I wiped my nose.

He hummed, or maybe mumbled under his breath, but I did not understand him.

I cleared my throat, tucking the used tissue in my pocket. “I forgot to give Gavino my number.”

“And you want me to give it to him.”

I nodded. “If you don't mind but—”

“I do mind, but I will do it.”

“Thank you.” I sighed, blotting the corner of my eyes with a clean tissue. “I don't mean only for giving him my number but also for driving me home.”

“Just stop talking.” His grip tightened on the steering wheel, causing his knuckles to turn white.

“Sorry I…” I took a deep breath, choosing not to continue. Laying my head back, I watched out the window until he broke the silence.

“Listen to me.”

I did not move.

He sighed. “I don't want you to talk because I don't want to like you.”

I twisted my body toward him, raising my eyebrows.

“You apparently like my best friend who I've known since I could remember.” He rolled his eyes. Abruptly, he slammed on brakes then pulled off onto the side of the road.

I yelped, grabbing the door handle.

Joey drew his gun, pointing it at my temple.

I froze and my eyes widened. “Please don't kill me.” I murmured as calmly as I could with a cold weapon on my skin.

“If you hurt him or betray him, or you're fucking with him,” he withdrew the gun, laying it on his thigh, “I will kill you and your entire family myself.” His eyes lowered to his lap. “My brother was killed by your father four years ago and I watched it happen.”

“Oh my God,” I gasped. “I’m so sorry!” Why do you guys do this to each other?” I squeaked through my tears. “I just don't understand why.”

“It's the law.” He huffed. “Give me your number.” He yanked his phone from the cup holder.

I fumbled over my words, shaken up slightly from having a gun pointed at me. Though I was comfortable with weapons, I did not like being on the wrong end of them. The moment the last number came out of my mouth, he saved it then dropped his phone back in the cup holder.

Peeling back out onto the road, he raced to my estate. Watching out all the windows, he turned onto a street one over from my house. “This is where you get out.” Creeping to a stop, he parked next to the curb. “I don't think two people need to die today.”

“Thank you.” Reaching out, I rested my palm on his arm. "I'm sorry my dad killed yo—”

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