Page 64 of Did My Heart Love Till Now?

“It’s fine.”

“I need to get out.” Gavino grumbled.

Joey stood slowly, stretching his neck up to peek in the window cautiously. He bent down and prowled back over to the car. “It’s your mom and Chiara. I thought they were gone?”

Gavino leaned forward. “They’re supposed to be. Let me out.”

Nick stood and let us out of the car. Gavino snatched the keys from Nick’s hand and sprinted up the stairs to the back door. His mother was at the counter while his sister was at the table crying. Startled by the sudden noise of us almost breaking the door in, they both jumped.

“Gavino!” They shouted together.

His beautiful mother hurried over and threw her arms around his waist. She pulled him tightly against her, shaking. “You haven’t been answering my calls! Your father is—”

“I know. They called me. And I haven’t gotten any calls from you.”

His mother backed away and shook her finger as she clutched a tissue in her hand. “I’ll tell ya who I know was responsible for that!”

“Uh, ma.” Gavino muttered.

“That fucking Alphonse Barone, that’s who!”

Wait what?! I gulped and began backing up. Nick stepped up behind me and placed his hands on my upper arms. He gripped tightly. I was not sure whether it was to hold me up or keep me from running out the door.

“Ma, stop.” He spun around to me.

Eyes widening, I shook my head.

“Come here.” There was no request. It was an order.

“Sofia and Nick Barone!” His mother snapped.

“Heyyy, Nicky.” Gavino’s sister sniffled from the breakfast nook. She stifled her emotions as quickly as possible, strolling to the island as she twirled a strand of hair around her finger. “It’s been a while.”

I swiveled my head around at my brother who was staring at Chiara with a smirk. “You know her?” I gasped. “Oh God, no.” I spun to Gavino, mouth agape.

“Really?” He sighed, glaring at Nick. “My sister?!”

“I don’t think you have a valid argument here.” Nick scoffed.

“Would someone please tell me what the hell is going on?!” Gavino’s mother shouted.

Gavino took my hand in his and glowered at Nick, whispering. “We’ll discuss this later.”

An evil grin inched on to my brother’s face as he crossed his arms over his chest. I squeezed Gavino’s hand as he drew me into his side, putting his arm around my shoulder. I took a deep breath, waiting for his mother to slap me. She lifted her hand to her head. I flinched, bracing myself for impact. When I did not feel anything, I opened my eyes. She was tilting her head at me.

“What happened to your face?” My new mother-in-law reached forward, placing her hand on my cheek.

Gavino gave my palm a tight squeeze. “Sofia and I got married last night.” She withdrew her hand as he continued. “We did it because we’re in love, not for family peace. Her father did this and Nick is going to help me.” Truthfully Gavino was in a hurry to fix things and turned our long story, short.

“Did your father do this to you?” She tapped my arm with her long, red nail.

I nodded silently.

“He killed my husband!”

“I-I—” I did not know what to say. “He’s a bad man.” It still pained me to say that about the man who was supposed to be my protector.

His mother reached out, wrapping her arms around my neck. “You’re safe here.”

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