Chapter 40
DIANGELO
Present
I knew the second this woman walked up that she was trouble. First, she’s made up of enough plastic and chemicals that just touching her is probably a cancer risk. That’s revolting enough as it is, especially for a woman in her sixties, but something else about her is off.
The dress she’s wearing has a faint stain at the hem just above her knees, and the paint on two of her fingernails has completely chipped away.
The juxtaposition of vanity alongside neglect sends mixed signals that raise questions.
Is she simply clumsy, or perhaps she lacks attention to detail?
Or is there another, more nefarious issue, such as a drinking problem?
I don’t know the answer, but something doesn’t add up.
Already on alert, my feet are in motion the second I hear her vile words to Terina, blaming her for Craig’s death. Fuck if I’m going to let that shit happen on my watch.
“What the fuck did you just say to her?” I demand.
Rina spins to face me, but my attention is centered on the cosplay hag beside her.
I know how hard it is for Rina to be here. God knows I don’t visit my brother’s gravesite often enough because of the guilt. The last thing she needs is some psychopath spouting bullshit accusations.
The woman Terina called Kristi places her hand over her chest as though taken aback by my question. “I was speaking to my daughter-in-law privately. No one involved you.”
I position myself next to Terina but slightly in front of her, inserting myself between the two women. “I don’t care who she is to you. If you speak to her like that, you’ll answer to me.” I lean forward and lower my voice. “And if you think you’ve got a nasty temper, just wait until you see mine.”
Her jaw drops in offense. “Are you threatening me?”
“It’s not a threat. It’s a promise. Keep your fucking thoughts to yourself, or I’ll erase your thoughts entirely.” I place my hand on Terina’s lower back. “Time for us to go. I can’t stand the stench here any longer.”
Rina obliges, leading us swiftly back to the car while I try to tamp down my fury.
What a fucking cunt. Who says shit like that to family? Terina didn’t do jack shit to cause Craig’s death. Has that cigarette with legs been spewing venom like that for the past five years? Probably. And if so, it’s no wonder Terina has assumed some fictional role in the guy’s murder.
I drive us out of the cemetery with a strangled grip on the steering wheel. I only wish it were that bitch’s neck instead.
“The anniversary is always hard on her. She’s lonely without him. Craig was her only family.” Terina’s defense of her ex-mother-in-law has the opposite effect of its intent, amping up my irritation rather than quelling it.
“You can’t make excuses for people like that,” I say in a clipped but level tone, trying not to take my anger out on her.
“I know,” she says softly.
The broken words chip away at my heart. Fuck, I don’t want her to hurt, but I need to know more about this situation.
“Is she in contact with you beyond the chance cemetery encounter?”
Terina is slow to answer. “She texts sometimes,” she finally admits.
Not anymore. I’ll be goddamned if Rina ever hears from that woman again.
“Renzo know about her?”
“It’s not a big deal.”
“I didn’t ask if it was a big deal. I asked if Renzo knows.”
“No, okay. I’ve never said anything, and there’s no reason to,” she says forcefully, growing more defensive. I have to wonder why. Why would she want to keep this from her brother?
According to Renzo, Rina is under the impression that her husband’s death was a mugging gone wrong. If that’s the case, why would Rina and Crispy Kristi think Rina was to blame? Did they know about his shady extracurriculars? Even if they did, why would that implicate Rina?
“You keeping something from him aside from that?”
“No.” She crosses her arms, a clear sign that she’s closing herself off.
I spend the rest of the trip home mulling over the facts. Nothing seems to add up, but I’m not sure where the disconnect enters the picture. This would be so much easier if she’d just talk to me.
Is she truly still in love with Craig?
Why does she blame herself for his death?
Why can’t I shake the feeling that she’s lying to me?
I want to demand an explanation. What I should do is give her space until she’s comfortable enough to trust me with her story. That’s going to take time. I’ve always thought of myself as decently patient. Today, I’m proving myself wrong.
We’re halfway up the elevator to the apartment when my frustrations hit a boiling point. Using the side of my fist, I hit the emergency stop button, sending the elevator to a lurching halt. Terina gasps, clutching the handrail to steady herself.
“What’s going on?” she asks, wide-eyed.
I close the distance between us, crowding her against the wall. “It’s time for some new rules between us.”
She peers up at me through thick lashes, her lips slightly parted, and her chest rising and falling on rapid breaths.
She’s so damn beautiful.
“From now on, you’re going to do exactly as I say, without hesitation.” I place my palms flat on the wall, caging her in. “You’re going to start trusting me with your body and your truth.”
“What are you saying, DiAngelo?”
“It’s D. You call me D when we’re alone.”
“D…” she breathes, sending a jolt of lust straight to my swelling dick.
“That’s right. When you call me D, I know there are no barriers between us. No lies or judgment. Only trust. Because I don’t want any harm to come to you—physically or emotionally—and the only way I can ensure that is if you open up to me.”
“You don’t know what you’re asking.” Her face crumples.
“I tried so damn hard to keep myself away from you, Rina. Then I told myself we could take things slowly so that I didn’t rush you, but I can’t do it.
I want you too damn much. I don’t care that I’m too old for you, or that my best friend is your brother.
I don’t give a shit that the things I want to do to you will send me straight to hell.
I’ve never wanted to possess a woman more than I crave you. I need you. All of you.”
“You want … to possess me? What does that mean, D?” Her wariness is palpable. I’m going to lose her if I’m not careful. I have to word this in a way that won’t send her running.
“It means you give yourself to me, firefly. Tell me you’ll trust me to take care of you.”
Temptation shines in her eyes, but she’s scared. Fear holds her back.
“Why do you call me that? Why firefly?”
“Because you’re my light in the darkness.” I bring my lips to her neck and jaw, peppering her skin with reverent kisses. “Please, Rina. Try to trust me. I swear you won’t regret it.” My ragged plea is fraught with desperation.
Thudding heart beats pulse in my ears as I wait.
Finally, she breathes the one perfect word I needed to hear.
“Yes.”