“Normally, I’d agree with you. Love can make you do crazy things, but I’m not in love with you, Anna. I’ve told you that before. I’m in love with someone else, and what you’re doing is just plain hurtful.”
“You never even gave us a chance!”
“There never was a chance!” My voice boomed throughout the room. “There was never a chance because my heart was taken when I was child. I can’t keep playing this game with you. I’ve tried to be nice, I’ve tried to be a friend, but you’re toxic to my life and to Sienna’s.” I waved my hand at her, wishing she’d leave my life forever.
“Toxic?” A pissy smirk raced across her lips, and I wanted to lash out harder. “Okay.”
“I found my person, and you need to find yours.”
“Got it.” She turned on her heel, arms straight at her sides, and left. I knew there would probably be more repercussions from her family, but I was done caring. I headed in the opposite direction to speak with my papa.
“Papa?” I knocked on the door and pulled the note out of my pocket. Roberto, Mariano’s father, glared at me. He was downing a cookie like it was the last one on Earth.
Yes, eat up, fat man. Eat until you explode.
“I’m sorry, Elio,” he held the phone away from his ear, “but whatever it is, it needs to wait.”
“The manners on you.” Roberto snickered then started to cough on the cookie. He turned red and gasped for air.
I stepped up to his side and whispered. “Does it hurt?” His fat face turned to look at me. “Maybe you should keep eating until you can’t catch your breath anymore.” I tossed another cookie at him and walked out, hoping to hell he choked to death.
“Where’s Sienna, Vinni?” I barked, entering the kitchen.
“No clue. I know she told me she was working on a project with Wyatt, but her purse is gone, so I’m not sure.”
I noticed Donte was working in the pantry, and chances were he’d know where she was.
“Have you seen Sienna?”
“She was with Ugo for the morning, then your aunt arrived and invited her to go horseback riding. I believe she’s still there.”
Shit.
Music pumped from my car speakers in hopes it would calm the rage that tore at my core. I had no idea what I was going to say, I just knew I wanted Sienna as far away from there as possible.
I hugged the corners of the twisted road. The trees and fields were a blur of color. I saw the lights of a patrol car in my rearview mirror, but with a shift of the stick, I lost him within seconds.
The rear of my car spun when I turned down the long road and came to a halt in the driveway. Dust rose in clouds behind me as I hopped out and raced up the stone stairs.
“Noemi!” I boomed as I entered the house, not caring in the least that I would terrify the house staff.
“In the kitchen, dear.” She came out holding a bottle of prosecco. “What’s the matter?”
“Where’s Sienna?”
“In the back garden. We’re just back from our ride.”
I flew out the back door, down the stone stairs, and found her deep in thought, staring off at the flowers.
“Bella!” I called, not wanting her to spend another second in this place until I understood what the hell was going on.
“Elio?”
“Time to go.” I took her hand and started to pull her behind me.
“Wait, what’s going on?”
“You shouldn’t be here. You don’t belong here.”