Page 4 of Did My Heart Love Till Now?

She nodded, turning her attention to me. She rolled her bottom lip between her teeth. “How are you, Gavino?”

Lifting my chin, I scanned the room. A smirk inched on my face as I brought my gaze back to her. Snaking my arm around her waist, I pulled her close to my body. Reaching inside my jacket pocket, I slipped out a fifty-dollar bill, then slid it in her top. “Take good care of us tonight, and I'll take care—”

Joey bumped into my arm, causing me to whirl around. He stepped up on the couch, craning his neck. Surveying the packed space, he shook his head. I stepped away from the waitress, giving her a pat on the backside, sending her away. She was one of my frequent hook-ups.

I sat as Joey hopped off the cushion and took a seat next to me. Drink in one hand, phone gripped tightly in the other, he shook his head. “I guess they will be here in a bit. I'm going out to smoke and wait for them. You coming?”

I shook my head. "I'll wait for them here."

Nodding, he stood, weaving through the sea of drunk people, toward the side door. Glass to my lips, I slowly enjoyed the beverage then placed it on the table. Leaning forward, I rotated it in a circle. I was so completely lost in my thoughts. Mesmerized by the music, I did not sense the presence of another person until they plopped down on the couch next to me.

Snapping my head up, my eyes widened, and I froze. It was her. Sofia Barone wore a tight black dress holding her phone in her hand, gazing at me with a smile. Leaning back, I cautiously stretched my arm out on the back of the sofa.

“Gavino.” She smiled nervously.

I gritted my teeth. “Sofia.”

2

The world around us began to move in slow motion. I could no longer hear the music in the club as I tuned out everything around me. It was as if we were the only two people in the room. I did not dare speak. This was suicide. Face still painted with a warm smile, she took a deep breath, scooting closer.

Brow arched, I leaned back further, placing my palm on the handle of my gun. “What the hell are you doing?” Glancing around the room, I watched for any threat, ready to draw my weapon at the first sign of trouble. I always carried protection.

Why was Sofia near me? Why was she testing me? I was waiting for her family to ambush me. They never went anywhere alone. They had probably attacked and killed all my friends already and that's why there was no sign of them.

She ignored my question. I tensed instantly, preparing myself for whatever was about to happen next. She looped a strand of hair behind her ear then rested her hands in her lap. “Why were you staring at me today?”

I snorted. “Why were you outside my studio?”

She tilted her head in confusion.

“I have to go.” Exhaling, I stood, searching for any sign of Joey. I decided I would call him from outside to see if he was still smoking. Maybe he was even balls deep in a girl at this point. Before I could take a step, a palm rested on my wrist.

“Wait!”

My eyes fell to her hand, but she did not recoil.

“I’m not—”

I jerked out of her grasp, cutting her off. Scowling I waltzed toward the main exit, dodging sweaty, drunk bodies. The moment I was outside I marched to the corner of the building, pulled out a cigarette and lit it. I dug my phone from the inside of my black leather jacket pocket, texting Joey.

Where the fuck are you?

Staring at my phone, I inhaled my cigarette deeply, waiting for him to reply. A shadow appeared before me. Slowly, I trailed my gaze up Sofia's toned, golden legs to the confusion on her face. Grinning sarcastically, I took a deep breath. “Why won't you go away?”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Why am I not allowed to speak to you?”

“Fuck it.” Mumbling under my breath, I spun the other way, flicking my cigarette into the middle of the street.

“I don't understand what I did!”

Striding away without a word, I widened my eyes in disbelief that she had the audacity to not only speak to me in a crowded club but also in front of the building in the presence of other people. She was going to get me killed.

The moment I was around the corner and out of sight, I slowed to a stop. Taking a deep breath, I rolled my eyes. It was not her fault that our families were enemies. In a moment of insanity, I wondered if I should go back and speak to her. Instead, I understood it was a death wish. My studio was not far away so I decided to walk the five blocks. Listening to my surroundings, I strode to the second crosswalk. It was then I noticed I had gone the opposite direction when I was trying to just remove myself from her presence immediately. No one could see us together. It was the law and she had messed up my head.

Spinning on my heels, I changed direction, sauntering back toward the club once again. As I got closer to the parking lot, I overheard a female in distress. Men laughed, provoking whoever it was they were out to torment. Finally, I was able to see four guys under a streetlight, surrounding someone. One of them stepped to the side, revealing Sofia.

Perverted statements spewed from their lips as they circled her, taunting their prey. Normally, I would have sprinted to help a woman in distress, but my father would have not shown her mercy. If anyone saw me rescue her, word would have gotten back to him regarding my compassion for his nemesis. It also could have been a trap. Her family had a history for framing our family.

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