Chapter 12
Stefan
Begrudgingly, I turned off the steaming hot water.
It felt so good on my sore muscles. Since I'd gotten home a few weeks ago, I'd ramped up my workout regimen.
I'd been doing regular workouts at Carlo and Giselle's place.
And I'd gained back most of the weight I'd lost lying around in the fuckin' hospital bed.
It seemed like the only thing that quieted my mind was an over the top workout. I'd added in protein drinks—which tasted a hell of a lot better than Giselle's horrible, green smoothies.
I saw a marked difference in my appearance. Not only in how I looked—but how I felt.
Physically, anyway.
My stamina was back. In fact, most days, I worked out twice—sometimes three times a day.
It wasn't like I had anything else to do.
Nick and Carlo had banned me from doing any kind of work for the businesses.
They said I needed time to recover. And they didn't want me involved in the day to day until I had my shit together.
Not that I ever likely would.
They still hadn't found Francesca. And that was pissing me off the most. Knowing she was out there somewhere, probably hungry. Needing money to live.
And there was fuck all I could do about it.
Last week, I'd lost my shit on my brother and Nick.
Again.
I'd yelled and ranted until my head nearly exploded.
Nick and Carlo didn't do anything. Except let me have my tantrum. When I was done, Nick said, “Have you considered the fact that Francesca does not wish to be found?” The way he said it—his fucking tone.
Christ.
That hit hard.
And deep.
And yeah, of fucking course, I'd thought about the fact that Francesca didn't want to be found. I thought about that every goddamn day.
No.
I thought about that every goddamn second of every goddamn day.
I just didn't know why.
Why she'd left.
Why she left me the shittiest goodbye letter in the history of the world.
“Stefan, I'm sorry. I can't do this. Love, Chesca.”
Was all it said.
No explanation.
The least she could have done was tell me she was leaving. Yell at me. Say how unhappy she was.
But that was the thing.
Francesca hadn't been miserable.
Had she?
I mean, yeah, she had been dealing with taking care of me. Feeding me. Cleaning up after me. Getting me medicine and all the other shit I needed.
And getting fired because of it.
But I'd told her—
I'd fucking told her that she'd never want for anything again.
She could go to school. Or sit on the beach with me for the rest of our lives.
Any fucking thing she needed—I would have given her.
Houses. Money. Cars. Babies. Love.
Whatever she wanted.
But that wasn't good enough.
I grabbed one of the soft, white towels from the rack and started drying myself off. I couldn't help but think that if I'd been healthy enough to seal the deal—to take Francesca's virginity—then she might have stayed. My fuckin' body wouldn't cooperate, though. Not back then.
Now?
Now, I'd be able to fuck her into next week. She was my only fantasy at night when I was alone in my bed. Visions of Francesca's warm lips, and huge tits invaded my thoughts. Her hot, wet cunt was the only thing I could think of while I stroked my hard cock.
Speaking of that—my cock just woke up. Like it did any time I thought about Francesca's naked body.
I sighed and wrapped the towel around my waist. I'd go get dressed and—then what?
Watch some shitty TV show. Make something to eat.
And go to bed.
Alone.
Again.
Nick had suggested I call someone up. “You need to get your rocks off, Stefan.
If you don't want to deal with any—complications, Giselle and Eve are more than happy to help you out.
You know that. Or call Ilona's. She'll send a nice girl over for you.” Ilona's was an escort service that we'd all used at one time or another. That was how Nick met Eve.
Giselle worked for Ilona, too. When she was having trouble making ends meet for her and Dani.
Of course, I'd thought about calling Ilona's. I was a man, after all. And it had been fucking ages since I'd gotten laid. But something in me couldn't pick up the phone and order a girl. I was still too fuckin' heart sick over Francesca.
Knowing that she'd given up on us so quickly—killed.
I opened the bathroom door and cool air wafted into the bathroom as I stepped out.
“What the—” I started to say as I took in the display in front of me.