Page 55 of Till Death Do Us Part

“I’m so sorry, bambina.” His voice cracks as he utters the words almost silently, just for me. “I wanted to tell you, for so long I wanted to tell you. You have no idea how much it tore me up to not tell you the truth.”

“Then why didn’t you?” I demand, pulling away from him and standing. The stool crashes behind me and heads turn in our direction, but I can’t focus on anything but the man before me.

“Because I couldn’t.”

“Yes, you could,” I snap, pushing him away. I take a step backwards, then another, never taking my eyes off the two men as they watch me warily. “You know how easy it would have been?Hey Pippa, guess what, kiddo? I’m not your dad. I’ve lied to you, your whole fucking life. I pretended to love you, pretended you belonged with our family. When really, I was just babysitting for the time being.”

A hollow laugh slips from my mouth, my hands trembling as I press them against my aching stomach. “God, it really does sound so fucked up when you say it aloud, doesn’t it?”

“It’s not like that,” he demands softly, grabbing me again. I shake him away, taking another step backwards.

“No, I’m sure it wasn’t that thought out honestly. Let me guess, Papá, you were just being a good old soldier. But for who? Who are you even with? Because this man that’s next to you right now? He certainly isn’t Italian!” I gesture to the man who only watches me with a blank expression. There isn’t an ounce of emotion in his gaze as his eyes follow me.

“Pippa,” Papá calls for me, but I spin on my heels and run. Pulling my phone out, I dial one of the few people IthinkI can trust. But truthfully, I doubt there is anyone in the world I can.

“Nico,” I say, tears spilling over my lashes when he answers the call on the second ring. “Can you come pick me up, please?”

With trembling hands, I pull the trigger, watching as the bullet flies through the air and clips the edge of the glass bottle. The wind whips around me, leaving a bitter kiss on my skin. Anger fuels me when I reload and aim again.

My fingers are turning blue from the cold, but I don’t care. To go inside would be to sit with my thoughts and face the lies and the devastation . . . and I can’t. So I’ll stay right here, for as long as my body can withstand. For longer, if possible, and perhaps the night will take me away with it.

Another bullet and another misfire. A frustrated curse spills from my mouth. I used to be so fucking good with a gun, but now that’s ruined too—like everything else in my life. Or maybe that was another lie. Maybe I wasn’t as good as I believed but everyone told me so to keep me happy.

Fuck them and fuck fake happiness.

That’s all my life has been.

Fake.

Footsteps echo behind me, heavy boots crumpling the leaves. I don’t turn around. Let them come. No doubt it’s yet another person who wants to sell me lies and heartache.

I aim again, letting out a slow breath before I pull the trigger. One second, then two before the bullet hits the neck of the bottle. Glass splinters into the air, landing on the ground in shattered pieces—a mirror image of me right now. Broken.

Finally.

A smile breaks free at my lips and a frenzied laugh slips from my mouth. For a long moment, I can’t stop. Laughter rings through the air, a bitter sound before it turns into heavy sobs that rack my body.

The footsteps move closer, and heat radiates over my back as a tall body leans into me. I revel in their warmth for a moment, letting it calm me until the tears stop rolling over my cheeks. Hands cup my shoulders, gently massaging the muscles before pulling away. There’s no need to turn around and face them. The settling effect they have on me can only come from one person. And for a second, I let myself focus on that before my mouth falls open. “Hello, Leonardo.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“Princess,you’llcatchachill,” he warns, his voice carrying over the wind and sending shivers travelling through me. I should have known that Nico would call him. He was worried when he picked me up, considering I was hiding behind a bin so no one would find me while I waited.

Questions were asked in the car ride, but I didn’t answer.

I’m not even sure I know how to.

I’m just grateful he brought me here, to his house, without demanding we tell anyone where I am . . . but I guess he decided doing just that was in my best interest anyway.Traitor.

“Do you care?” Scoffing, I swipe at the dampness on my cheek before grabbing another bottle to line up. Leonardo remains stoic behind me, his presence enveloping me in comfort as I raise my arm again.

“Would I be here if I didn’t?”

“You know that’s the most annoying, right?” I deadpan, snorting as I raise my arm.

“What?” he asks innocently, annoying me further. Instead of taking the shot, I spin around and press my gun to his head. There’s a flicker of amusement at the corner of his lips, and his eyes twinkle under the dim light of stars.

“Answering a question with a question, it’s so fucking rude.”

---