Page 37 of Did My Heart Love Till Now?

“Nick, please don’t! Oh my God! Please! I’m begging you! No!”

With a glimmer in his eye and an evil grin on his face, he held the lighter up to the fuel-soaked rag and it ignited instantly. He tossed it through the firehouse door and slammed it shut.

I screamed and kicked as Nick yanked me from Tommy's hold. Picking me up like I was weightless, he threw me over his shoulder, marching to his car parked on the curb across the street. I watched the flames as they began to glow in the upstairs windows.

“He set it on fire up there?!” I gasped craning my neck as I tried to see the flames. “Help! HELP!” I screamed as loud as my lungs would allow as my brother stuffed me into the passenger seat of his car.

“Don’t fucking move!” He slammed the door and hurried to the other side, practically leaping into the car. The engine roared as he sped off rapidly.

I watched as the flames grew larger in the windows upstairs. I whipped around, punching Nick’s arm. “You just destroyed his entire world and the only thing he loves in his life!”

He stared ahead at the road, wordlessly.

“How the hell could you do that?!”

“I suggest you shut up before I tell dad you've been fucking the enemy's brains out!” Jaw tightened, he glared ahead at the road, gripping the steering wheel firmly. “Buckle your seatbelt.”

Huffing, I laid my head back against the headrest, staring out the tinted glass. Each storefront we passed manipulated the shape of the car in the window’s reflection. My eyes pooled with tears as I thought about Gavino’s beautiful apartment ablaze. Anger rose within me, and I twisted in my seat, facing my brother. “I don't care if you tell dad anymore, Nicky, but you destroyed the only thing that makes Gavino happy.”

He chuckled, squinting as he glanced over quickly. “Somehow I doubt that place was the only thing that makes him happy.”

“Whatever.” I turned back to the window, crossing my arms over my chest. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes. At some point I must have drifted off to sleep because I woke up and we were still on the road. I glanced out the back window then at Nick. “Hey, where the hell is my car?”

“Tommy’s taking it home for you.”

“And where are you taking me exactly?” I scowled. “Are you going to burn me to the ground too?”

A hint of a smirk emerged on his face, but he remained silent. Rolling my eyes, I rolled my head the other way, staring at the trees passing on the side of the highway. The crying sensation returned, and I fought back the tears as much as I could. Just as I sniffled, a single tear rolled down my left cheek, dripping onto my shirt. Nick sighed but still did not verbally respond.

The surroundings became familiar. I gasped, sitting up straight. “You're taking me to the beach! Why are we going to the beach?!” By now, I was in a panic. There were only a couple of reasons I ever went to the beach.

“Please, would you just shut the fuck up?!”

My eyes widened and my mouth fell agape as we pulled into the driveway of a strange home. The car rolled slowly to a stop. I scanned the house, the yard, and continued until I saw a silhouette standing on the beach peering out at the ocean. I swallowed hard. I turned to Nick who was staring out my window past me.

“Don't say I never did anything for you.” He arched a brow and nodded toward the person on the beach.

I twisted to the window again in disbelief. “What the—” That's when I saw it was him. I rotated back to Nick once again. “But why did you burn his apartment down? And what was that in front of Tommy? An act?”

He lifted his shoulder faintly and smirked. “Go. I have to get out of here.” He clenched his jaw. “I want nothing to do with that asshole.”

“I have no idea what’s going on but thank you!” I bent over, placing a peck on his cheek then opened the door. “Thank you again.”

“Go now.” He glared straight ahead.

“Okay, okay.” I leapt out of the car and hurried toward the beach. The moment my feet hit the sand, the resistance made it difficult to run. Was it really him? “Gavino!”

He turned to face me then sprinted toward me, grabbing me and picking me up off the ground. He spun me around twice then placed my feet down in the tall coastal grass. He glanced up at where my brother had dropped me off then caressed my arms. His face became serious. “Sofia, I need to talk to you.”

Anxiety overcame me instantly. I peered into his eyes as he searched for words. He sighed and leaned forward, resting his forehead on mine. Defeat was present in his eyes, which worried me. I knew I needed to tell him about his studio even though my brother technically just helped me. I did not want to throw Nick under the bus, but at the same time my loyalty to Gavino was also important to me. To say I was torn was an understatement. I took a deep breath and prepared myself to come clean. Before I could get a word out, he broke the silence.

“I asked your brother to burn it down.” Tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear, he smiled. It was as if he knew exactly what I was about to say. Gavino could read me so well.

“But why?” I searched his eyes for any answer.

He stepped back but took my hands in his. “I need to let that place go.” His left hand relaxed and fell by his side while he intertwined his fingers in my right. We strolled toward the water and took off our shoes. The waves broke and the cold ocean water cascaded over our feet, causing me to yelp as it spilled over my skin. We picked up our shoes swiftly and carried them in our free hands as we strolled along the beach hand in hand.

For the most part, he was quiet. I could tell he was deep in thought about everything. He had so much expected of him. To be honest, I don't know how this man was still sane. He broke the silence once again, gripping my hand even tighter.

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