The Accardi Twins: A Mafia Romance Duet

Chapter 18

Chapter Eighteen

Caleb

“ N ot here,” Dad says, pulling me back as I see red.

“He’s fucking mauling her in public, in full view of her family,” I growl, clenching and unclenching my hands at my sides as I watch that fucking preppy dickhead shove his disgusting tongue in Lili’s mouth and squeeze her ass.

“It’s not fun being on the other side, is it?” Cristian asks, materializing beside me. He must have just arrived. Over his head, I spot his girl making her way toward the bar. She’s linking arms with Zumo’s girl, but there’s no sign of our other buddy.

It’s not fun. It’s hell on earth, and I want to pump preppy boy full of bullets and bathe in his blood. The dick straightens up, and I make my move. “You’ve made your point,” I snap, yanking Lili out of his arms and into mine—where she belongs. “Make yourself useful. Go buy drinks.” I stuff a hundred-dollar bill in the top pocket of his blazer.

Taking the money, he literally throws it back in my face. “I don’t need or want your money.”

Lili squirms, attempting to wriggle out of my embrace, but I hold her closer, careful not to hurt her like that prick was doing.

The dick jabs his finger in my face. He’s got balls. I’ll give him that. “Keep your grabby hands to yourself.”

“Or what?” I’m tempted to run my hands all over Elisa’s body to wind him up, but I won’t objectify her like this douche just did.

“Or maybe I’ll be the one pulling a gun next time.”

Cristian stiffens. Leo narrows his eyes. Mom glares, and I laugh. “I’d pay good money to see you try.” I push up into his face, letting my true darkness rise to the surface. “I guarantee one of us would die, and it wouldn’t fucking be me.”

“Seb, just go to the bar. Please.” I can’t see Elisa’s face, but whatever she’s showcasing is enough to have him spinning on his heels and striding away.

“You cannot be serious about this guy,” I say as Lili whirls around, shooting daggers at me with her eyes.

“You just can’t help yourself, can you, Caleb? You can’t let me be happy. You have to try and ruin it before it’s even begun.”

Leo pulls Mom into his arms, and they move away to dance even though I can tell Mom is dying to say something. I know she’d love me with Elisa, but she’s got to butt out. When I reclaim Elisa’s heart, I want it to be for all the right reasons. Not because our moms want it and pushed us together.

I glance at Cristian’s retreating back before taking Lili’s much smaller hand in mind. Steering her off the dance floor, I guide us over to one of the alcoves. I shield Elisa with my body as her spine presses into the wall. “I don’t want to talk about him,” I say, looking longingly at her tempting lips.

“My eyes are up here, Caleb,” she says, timidly placing her hands on my chest and giving me a little shove. “And you need to back up. You’re crowding me.”

Reluctantly, I push off the wall and take a step back. Her hands drop to her sides. I keep my gaze trained on her eyes instead of the lush lips I really want to taste. I know I won’t have long, so there isn’t time to mince my words. “I love you, Lili. I love you so fucking much.” Her eyes pop wide in shock, and I press on. “I have loved you for years but denied it for a whole heap of reasons. I messed up the last time we spoke, and I didn’t explain myself clearly. I was struggling to decipher my feelings, but I’m not struggling anymore.”

Taking her hand, I place it on my chest, right over the spot where my heart is pounding. “I know what I feel in here is true. I love you, and I want to be with you. I understand it’s not as simple as that. I know I have hurt you, and I wish there was a way to take it all back, but I can’t. I’m just asking you to give me a chance. Let me prove to you I’m serious. Let me prove to both of us what you have always known—we are meant to be together.”

Tears well in her eyes. “You only want me because someone else does.”

“That’s not true.”

“Isn’t it?” She ducks out from the alcove. “You need to let this go, Caleb. It’s too late, and honestly, I, I…I don’t believe you.”

“I’m not giving up, Lili.” I take her hand and link our fingers. Delicious warmth inches up my arm, and my skin is tingling all over. “Tell me you don’t feel that.” She gulps, and I move my hands to cup her beautiful, beautiful face. “Tell me he makes you feel the same things I do, and I’ll walk away. I’ll concede defeat and leave you alone.”

Her mouth opens and closes. She wants to lie, but Lili doesn’t have it in her. “It doesn’t matter.” She removes my hands from her face. “I don’t want the same things I wanted before.”

“You’re settling, and he’s not good enough for you.” No one ever will be, including me.

“It’s none of your business, Caleb. You don’t get to control my life.”

“I wouldn’t dream of trying.” I reclaim the distance between us. “I want you to be happy. I only ever want the best things for you. We could be so good together. We are good together.” I thread my fingers through her soft wavy hair, silently berating myself for all the years I wasted when she could have been mine. “You can’t deny we’ve always connected on a deep level just like you can’t deny we have epic chemistry.”

“I’m not denying anything. I’m saying I don’t want it anymore. There is a difference. I’m making a conscious decision to close the door on any idea of us, and you need to respect my wishes. You have to stop sending me flowers and gifts. You need to walk away, Caleb.”

“Please, Lili.” I cup her cheeks again. “I know I’m not worthy, but if you give me a chance, I swear I’ll never let you down again.”

“Time’s up, dickhead.” Preppy boy hauls Lili into his chest, and pain stabs me through the heart when her arms go around his waist.

“Just like yours will be soon.” I eyeball him with all the contempt I feel toward him. “You’re not good enough for her, and it’s only a matter of time before she realizes it.” I swing my gaze to Lili. “I meant what I said. I will wait for you for eternity if I have to.” My eyes flicker over her gorgeous face. “I’m going nowhere. I’ll be patient and watch you work your way through a hundred assholes if that’s what it’ll take for you to accept you were always right.”

“Fuck off,” Seb snaps, earning a scowl from Lili.

“I’ll be watching you,” I warn him as I force myself to walk away. If I stay, I’ll only hit the prick, and I won’t ruin my brother’s plan. Glancing at the time, I quicken my pace.

Ignoring voices that call out and arms that reach for me as I walk across the room, I make a beeline for the bar where my brother awaits.

“Hey.” I climb onto a stool beside him.

“How did it go?” he asks.

“About how I expected.”

“She’ll come around. She loves you too much not to.”

“I guess we’ll see.” I clamp a hand on his shoulder. “Are you ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” He slides his hand in his pants pocket and smiles.

“She’s coming out of the bathroom now,” I advise, spotting Gia’s blonde head across the room.

“It’s now or never.” Joshua stands, letting his nerves show for a fleeting second.

“You’ve got this. You already know she’s going to say yes,” I remind him.

“She might not like I’m surprising her in front of everyone.”

“She’ll love it.” I give him a playful shove, and he walks off.

Cristian comes up beside me as Joshua makes his way to the DJ booth to collect the mic.

“First one down,” Cristian says as we stand side by side, listening to my brother call his girl onto the now empty dance floor.

“You’ll be next,” I say, stealing my brother’s scotch and finishing it.

A crowd has formed around Joshua and Gia, but we still have a good vantage point from here. Gia’s parents stand proudly at the front, looking like they’re about to burst with excitement. Joshua did things the traditional way. He visited Rico and Frankie last night and asked her dad for permission to marry his only daughter. A chuckle rips from my lips as I imagine asking Alesso for Elisa’s hand. He’d probably shoot me.

“You sure it won’t be you?” Cristian arches a brow, attempting to hide his smirk.

“He told you, didn’t he?” I ask. Cristian nods, and I shake my head as I watch my twin get on bended knee before Gia.

“Buying a ring is a big deal, Caleb. It shocked the shit out of me when Joshua told me.”

“It’s the perfect ring for Lili. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity even if it’s just burning a hole in my safe and it’s likely to do so for some time.”

Gia has tears in her eyes as Joshua asks her to marry him. Gasps and oohs and aahs spread around the room.

“I’m making a bet,” Cristian says, smiling as Gia flings herself at my brother screaming yes repeatedly while peppering his face with kisses. “Before the year is out, we’ll be attending a double Accardi wedding.” He bobs his head, still smiling. “Yeah, I can see it now.” His smile expands. “And yes.”

“Yes, what?”

“Yes, I’ll be your best man.” He waggles his brows and tugs on my arm, pulling me toward the soon-to-be bride and groom. “Time to offer our congratulations.”