Page 56 of Beautiful Devil

Again.

CHAPTER20

FABRIZIO

It's almost eight p.m.,and today has felt like one of the longest days in history. I wanted to do nothing more than spend my day wrapped up in Gia, but unfortunately, it’s been a busy, work-filled day. I came back from handling my business in the city and have been locked away in my office with Marco. He’s updating me on information Luca found since I returned.

“So, let me get this straight. Gallo washelpingDante?”

Marco offers a stiff nod, giving nothing away, but if I know him, he’s as pissed off and confused as I am.

“Dante’s acoglioneand surely he has his own guys who would have been more suited and better equipped than Gallo to do shit for him. What did he need him for, anyway?”

“I have no idea boss. Luca is checking sources as we speak. He said he’ll work until he has every drop of information we need.”

I let out an exasperated sigh as I throw my head back onto my chair, losing my focus to the ceiling. What the fuck are we missing, and why don’t I know what thatcoglionewants with my wife?

Soon, I bring my attention back to Marco. “Want a drink?”

“Ah, sure?”

“Does that mean no?”

“Just thought you’d want to get back to your new wife is all.”

Pushing back from my desk, I make my way over toward the bar, picking up two glasses and a bottle of my favorite whiskey.

“Spit it out. I know you’re dying to say something.”

He eyes me suspiciously for a beat as I pour our drinks.

“To be honest, man, I’m afraid to say anything. Lately, no matter what I or any of the other men say, you fly off the handle,” he rushes out before taking his first sip.

I sit back in my chair, taking in his words, and…well, he’s not wrong. Ever since Gia came around, I’ve been on edge. I'm obviously attracted to her, but a part of me still thinks that she was helping Gallo and that all of this has been a ruse. The biggest part of me, though, believes that sheisinnocent and I wrongly accused her and merely wanted her around because of the attraction I felt for her.

Thinking of how my days are now spent looking forward to finishing work so I can see Gia and spend time with her…I’ve never felt this way for a woman before.

I lift my glass, savoring the whiskey, and let Marco’s words fall away. He’s my best friend, my second in command, and perhaps the one person who can help.

“I'm attracted to her.”

He deadpans beforeanotherfucking smirk pulls at his lips. This bastard is on a roll lately.

“You pussy-whipped, boss?”

“No, I said I'mattractedto her. I’m not stupid enough to fall in love with a woman I kidnapped for stealing from me—”

“Which she never did, by the way,” he bravely (or stupidly) interrupts.

At this point, the fucker is smiling. Like, full-on fucking smiling. I don't think I've seen a smile like this on his face since we were kids.

“Stronzo.”

“Sorry to break it to you, Fabrizio, but you haven’t exactly done a great job of keeping it a secret.”

“Yeah, well, once I figure out why Dante wants her and I get rid of him, she’ll be out that door with a signed set of divorce papers in her hand and out of my system for good.”

Those words feel like sandpaper coming out of my mouth, and an unfamiliar pain pangs in my chest.

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