Page 46 of Did My Heart Love Till Now?

She giggled then brought her lips to my ear again. “I would die to have your rosary and sneak around with you.”

“Martina, how do you know about that?” My eyes widened. “It's you.” Clenching my fists, I took a step back, bumping into the balcony railing. “You stupid bitch!”

“Excuse me?!” She curled her lip in disgust.

“You're the goddamn rat!”

Bowing her head, she closed her eyes. I folded my arms, waiting for her to speak. Instead, she lifted her head slowly, meeting my glare with her own. An unapologetic, twisted smile was painted on her face. Taking a step toward me, she ran her fingers down the front of my chest again. “She is no good for you, Gavino. You and I could be the envy of everyone.”

Just as I was about to draw my weapon, my eyes peeked over her shoulder to see Joey aiming a gun in our direction. Fuming, I stepped to the side. Martina spun around, gasping. He nodded at me then two of my security appeared from the staircase and grabbed her, dragging her downstairs. I followed behind closely, but Joey stopped me on the stairs.

“I have a feeling she's not working alone.” He tucked his pistol away.

I nodded. “I figured since the other girl was stalking me, but I don’t know her involvement either.”

We made our way outside with haste so as not to alert any patrons in the club. The back alley was dark, only lit by a single mounted light over the door. Dumpsters and bags of garbage lined a long pathway, aiding to cancel out any echo. Martina was leaning seductively against the aging brick building in a taunting pose. She batted her eyelashes. “Come on, Gav. See her for what she really is and be with me.”

Gnawing on my bottom lip, I lunged at her, slamming my hand next to her head on the wall. “What makes you think I even want you? Who the fuck even are you?”

“You once did.” She grinned, ignoring the latter question.

“How am I supposed to tell Chiara her best friend is fake as fuck?”

Joey smirked. “Maybe just like that. Bluntly.”

Shaking my head, I took off my jacket and handed it to Joey. He draped it over his arm. I unbuttoned the cuff of my shirt and rolled it up to my elbow.

“What are you doing?” Martina snickered. “Did you change your mind?”

I unbuttoned the other cuff and rolled the other sleeve up. “I’ve never hit a girl.”

With her mouth agape, she smiled sarcastically. “And I know you won’t hit me because you’re not one of them. You’re an artist.”

“And I’d be happy to paint the wall in your blood right now.”

Joey stepped between us. “You’ve put him and this family in danger. What did you tell the Barone’s?”

“Joey step aside.”

Obeying, he took a step to the right. Closing the gap between Martina and me, I stretched my arm out above her head and leaned on the wall. “You did this all out of jealousy?”

“I did it because you should be with me. Sofia is a piece of shit enemy, and everyone knows she’s a fucking whore! You need someone who gets you. I can be everything to you!” She reached up to place her hand on my face.

“Oh no.” Joey muttered under his breath.

I smacked her hand away and took a step back. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath to hold my temper from erupting into a storm. I began to pace in front of her, contemplating my next move. It was true that I had never hit a girl, but I was debating ending her life. Internally, rage was boiling over. I had never had to control my temper or actions before now. Part of being a great boss and proving myself to be worthy of leadership was holding back until I had all the information I needed. Martina would die, and I would make sure it was painful for her, but I would not do it now.

Sensing I was about to lose myself, she cowered as her eyes followed my every move. She knew she had gone too far, but she also knew it was too late to take back the things she had said and done.

Placing my hands on my hips, I looked toward the sky and took a deep breath. I spun to her, lifting my hand to my face and rolling my bottom lip between my fingers.

“I-I’m actually sorry.”

“Sorry you got caught.” I slid my hands in my pockets. “How could you think I’d want you after that? Aside from the things you just said about the woman I love, you could have gotten Chiara killed! And you could have gotten my girlfriend killed!” I thought about what Nick told me about Sofia being hit.

I pivoted to the men who were watching intently, waiting for my orders’ or maybe they were waiting for me to screw up. “I know there’s a place you guys take people who need to be dealt with.”

Joey stepped over nodding, leaning close to my ear. “We’ll handle it.”

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