“What the fuck is aship?” I growled, resting my palms on the back of the couch.
Chiara giggled. “You’re so out of touch.” She hopped off the desk and waltzed over, standing next to me. She threw her arm out at the screen. “They're saying you and that stupid bitch belong together!”
My knuckles began to turn white as I gripped the back of the sofa tightly. I closed my eyes, inhaling deeply, trying my best not to lose my cool with my little sister. The moments I had with Sofia started flashing through my mind like a funeral slideshow. This would, no doubt, be the death of me.
Chiara noticed my frustration and placed her hand on my forearm. “Geez, are you gonna make it, over there? You look pissed!”
My eyes slowly opened as I twisted my neck toward her. If my glare had been a weapon, it was enough to kill a thousand men with one glimpse. Her calling Sofia a stupid bitch made my blood boil. If she had been anyone else, I would have knocked her out cold on the floor.
She jumped back, withdrawing her hand. “Oh God. What is actually wrong?”
“Don't call her a—” I took a deep breath, gripping the couch even tighter. Gritting my teeth, I took another breath. “I have to go.” I marched to the door then spun to face her. “Just go stay elsewhere for now…please.”
She offered a small nod as I twisted around and stomped out and upstairs to my room. I paced the sitting area in the middle of the room, running my fingers through my hair. I slid my phone from my pocket, texting Sofia.
I need to see you!Now!
I waited and waited for a reply. Nothing. Fuck! I picked up my jacket off the chair next to my bed then grabbed my keys and wallet. I jogged through the hallways then down the grand staircase into the foyer. The moment I jerked the front door open and stepped onto the porch, I paused. The new rules. Why did I suddenly care about the rules? Rolling my eyes, I pulled up my list of contacts, hovering my finger over Ice Pick’s number, then scrolled to Federico.Fuck it. I shoved my phone in my pocket.
Hearing the growing noise from the crowd outside the gate caused my concentration to break. I decided if Sofia wouldn't reply to me, I would force her to. My eyes lowered to the stone parking area to the left. Unhurriedly, I sauntered to my car while calculating my next move. Ah! Got it!
I lifted my gaze, at the people outside the gate. A devilish, phony smirk spread across my face, and I waved at everyone. Paparazzi cameras began to shutter, news cameras all directed their lens at me. Girls began to scream. Reporters adjusted their posture with their microphones in front of their chests.
Chuckling, I strode to the gate. I knew Federico and Joey would both be watching the news and panicking by now. I stepped over to a few of the girls as they reached through the black wrought iron bars.
“Sir!” A male’s voice shouted from behind.
I turned to see two of my father’s security detail.
“We should get you back inside.”
Arching a brow, I smirked, shaking my head. “I’m not going anywhere. I just came to tell the people, hello.”
Simultaneously they huffed. I would even guess they rolled their eyes, but I could not see past their Ray-Ban’s. A low chuckle rose in my chest as I turned back to the crowd, resuming my shit-eating grin. The women reached through the fence, grasping at me.
I reached out, taking two of their hands in mine. Gaze raking over the people, I paused on someone who stood out among the others. She was standing back a bit, showing no emotion. Her deadpan glare confused me, but I only assumed she was affiliated with the Barone family.
Cocking my head, I returned the stare, memorizing her features in case there was trouble. The more I looked at her the more she seemed familiar to me, but I was not sure if I knew her or not. We stared fixedly at each other for what seemed to be an eternity until a reporter summoned my attention. At some point during that moment, I had dropped the girls’ hands.
....Barone family has not commented on any events, but we are just a few feet away from the new acting boss of the D'Angelo family. Gavino, do you have any comments on the events going on right now?
“What?” I leaned closer toward the reporter.
“Yes.” She smiled cheerfully, “I said, do you have any comments,” she grinned at the camera then at me once again, “about the events going on right now with your father?”
Nodding, I laughed before becoming serious and glaring directly into the camera. Wrapping my hand around hers, I tugged the microphone to my face.
“Yeah, I actually do have something to say,” I smirked, narrowing my gaze. “I’ll seeyousoon.”
The reporter tilted her head and turned back to the camera, spitting gibberish. I did not hear what she said as I marched toward my car.
“Sir!”
I spun around to face my father’s guards and slid my sunglasses on.
“You shouldn’t leave.”
“Then come stop me.”