“I’ll come with you to the parking lot,” Mick said quickly as he grabbed his bag from the floor.
“Didn’t you just get here?” Savio asked with cocked eyebrows.
Mick flushed. “Uh, yes, but I forgot something in my car.”
Forcing myself not to look at Savio, I gave a wave and followed Diego toward the exit. He obviously wanted to leave as soon as possible. I’d noticed rising tension between him and Savio, and knew it was because of me.
“Do you want me to carry your bag?” Mick asked, startling me.
He was walking close behind me, smiling. “Sure.” I handed my bag to him. It wasn’t like it was too heavy for me, but if he offered to carry it, who was I to say no?
“Your fighting skills are crazy good for a girl,” Mick continued, giving me another smile. He hadn’t even seen me fight today, and the last time he’d been around when I’d trained with Diego had been more than a year ago.
“Thank you. Yours are good for a guy as well.” They weren’t really but I had to say something.
Mick frowned, obviously not getting my jab. He gave a hesitant grin.
Diego threw a glance over his shoulder and slowed, falling into step beside me. He sent Mick a look I didn’t understand.
Mick appeared flustered after that. Glancing between the two of them, I tried to determine what was going on. We stopped at our car. Mick as well, even though we’d already passed his car. Diego crossed his arms in front of his chest. I raised my eyebrows. Why was he acting like a bouncer? Did he have problems with Mick as well? Diego could be difficult, I was the first to admit that.
“So, Gemma, if you want more opportunities to improve your skills, I could train with you as well. Under Diego’s supervision, of course.”
I really didn’t understand how Mick could be a Camorrista. He was far too nice most of the time. “Thanks, that’s really kind, but with my choir rehearsals, school and church, I don’t have time.” I couldn’t tell him the truth, that his skills weren’t on par with Diego’s or Savio’s. They wouldn’t help me improve.
“Oh, sure. Anyway, if you want to mix up your routine a bit. I could take over from Diego occasionally.”
Diego opened my door and motioned for me to get in. “We have to get home. Nonna won’t appreciate us being late for dinner. Bye, Mick.”
I slipped in, glad for his rudeness. He threw the door shut before I could say bye to Mick as well, and grabbed my gym bag from him. Mick still stood beside my door even when Diego slipped behind the steering wheel. He finally stepped away when the engine roared to life.
“What was that about?” I asked, confused.
Diego didn’t say anything, only floored the gas with gritted teeth.
I stared out of the window, frustrated with Diego for treating me like a small kid and with Savio for pretty much everything.
“Mick’s head over heels for you.”
I choked on a laugh, turning to Diego. He was clutching the steering wheel in a death grip. “It’s not a fucking joke. Haven’t you noticed how he’s been sweet-talking you for months now?”
I thought about it. Mick had been exceedingly nice around me, but I’d thought it was just who he was. “Are you sure?”
“Of course, I’m sure. Guys talk, and he keeps asking me about you.”
“What does Savio say about me?”
Diego slammed on the brakes and hit the steering wheel with his flat hand. I gasped in surprise. “Seriously? He doesn’t talk about you and if he did, it would be like he talks about every girl, as if you’re a piece of ass he wants to sink his cock into.”
I couldn’t believe Diego had said that. He usually didn’t swear or talk about sex around me. He wanted to protect me from all of that, so he must be really upset if he acted that way.
He took a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t use these words around you.”
“It’s okay,” I said.
He looked at me, and my stomach tightened at the worry in his face. “Promise me, you’ll keep your distance from Savio from now on. You’ll only get hurt. I know Savio, Gemma, and trust me, he’ll never give you what you hope for.”
I nodded. I’d already made up my mind to let Savio do the next step, but Diego’s worry affirmed my resolve.
I’d finished internalizing the lyrics for a new song when Mom came into my room. As usual, she didn’t knock. I’d given up trying to make her honor my privacy. None of the inhabitants of the house did. Mom walked over and kissed my temple. “Dad needs to talk to you about your future.”
That could only mean one thing. Dread settled in my bones as I looked up into her face. “Has he found… has he found someone?”