Chapter 37
TERINA
Present
Today has been exactly what I needed—a perfect distraction. Catching up with Ciro has been awesome, and an impromptu dance party with hits from our childhood has my spirits higher than they’ve been in ages. He showed off his Stanky Leg while we both nailed the Crank That dance.
He’s a great guy, and I’m sad to realize what I missed by losing touch. When I met Craig, everything else ceased to exist, and after his death, there was nothing. I withdrew from the world as a whole.
Ciro’s a great reminder that I’m not as immune to the isolation as I’d like to think.
“Oh, thank God. A slow one. I forgot how exhausting this stuff is.” I take a long drink from a bottle of water as piano strains from Alicia Keys’s “If I Ain’t Got You” fill the air.
“You need to hit the club more!” he says, pulling me into his hold.
“No way, those days are done for me.”
We sway, and I rest my head in the crook of his neck, allowing myself to fully embrace the moment.
“I’m so sorry you’re in the mess, Rina,” Ciro says softly. “I’ve been worried ever since I heard there were threats on Renzo’s family.”
I pull back and smile up at him. He’s a handsome guy and goofy in the best way. “We’ll get through this. We always do,” I assure him.
He pulls me close again and spins us in a circle, drawing a giggle from me.
“The fuck is going on here?” DiAngelo’s furious words crack like thunder all around us. The music was so loud we didn’t hear him come home.
We instantly release one another and turn to face him while Bonny comes to my side and gives a low warning growl.
I pat her head and try to settle her despite my head spinning when I see the blood splattered all over DiAngelo.
It looks like he’s tried to wipe it off the side of his face, but it’s still caked in the hair above his temple and staining his T-shirt.
“Oh my God. Are you okay?” My hands press themselves over my mouth as though to hold back the panic rising in my belly.
DiAngelo ignores me. Instead, he crosses to Ciro until the two are face-to-face and grabs a fistful of Ciro’s shirt. “I leave you for a few hours, and you try to fuck her?”
My old friend blanches, his hands rising at his sides. “Hey, man. We were dancing. That’s it.”
“D, what on earth is wrong with you?” I grab his arm and try to get him to let go.
He releases his hold with a disgusted growl and turns around as though trying to calm himself.
“No worries, man, okay? Looks like you had a rough day. I’ll head out and let you two sort it out.” Ciro gives me a thin, apologetic smile, then leaves.
I stop the music, and suddenly, it’s just the two of us and a storm of emotions raining down on us. He’s obviously pissed. I’m a little dumbfounded, but more than anything, I’m horrified to see him covered in blood.
Fear wraps a bony hand around my throat and squeezes until tears spring from my eyes.
Photos from the scene of Craig’s murder flash through my mind one after another.
“What happened?” I’m barely able to force out the words.
He catches a glimpse of his reflection in the window. “Shit, I should have cleaned up first.” He goes to the kitchen and wets some paper towels. “It’s not as bad as it looks. It just bled a lot.”
“Bleeding is bad,” I say, the words sounding distant to my own ears. They’re drowned out by a voice screaming in my head that someone tried to kill him. DiAngelo was being attacked while I was up here dancing like a silly little girl.
It’s going to happen again.
This man is going to end up dead because of me.
Something in my voice must register with him because seconds later, he’s in front of me, coaxing my gaze up to his.
“Look at me, Ree. I’m fine. I promise. Just a little fight, okay?” His attempt at reassurance bounces off me like rain on a tin roof.
I shake my head, dazed. “No, it’s not okay.”
None of this is okay. My growing feelings for him. His willingness to die for me.
It’s going to happen again. He’ll die because of me.
“I don’t know what the fuck is going on in that head of yours, but I need you to stop, right goddamn now.”
Eyes wide, my gaze flits back to his.
“I was wrong,” he says in a ravaged voice tinged with the scent of liquor.
“I’ve known it since the minute I said being together was a mistake.
I was wrong.” His hands lift to cup either side of my neck while tears pool in my eyes.
“The only reason I look like this is because I was so goddamn mad that someone wants to hurt you. Today has made me realize I need to get my head out of my ass.”
I’m stunned. Trying to process what’s happening. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying you’re mine, and I’ll bleed this city dry until you’re safe.” Then his lips are on mine.