AllFreeNovel
Share Us
As we sit down to dinner, the conversation turns to Perfezione. Lou’s excitement about the renovations is contagious, and soon, we’re all discussing potential designs and ideas for the auction.
“We could have a fashion show!” Lou suggests enthusiastically. “With all your best designs, Mom!”
I smile at her enthusiasm. “That’s a great idea, honey. What do you think, Angelo?”
But Angelo seems distracted. “Hmm? Oh, yeah, sounds good,” he says, his mind clearly elsewhere.
I catch his eye, raising an eyebrow in silent question. He shakes his head slightly—not now.
After dinner, as Lou gets ready for bed, I can’t shake the feeling that something's wrong. Angelo’s been quiet, almost withdrawn.
Once Lou’s tucked in, I find Angelo in the living room, nursing a glass of whiskey.
“Okay, spill,” I say, sitting next to him. “What’s going on?”
Angelo sighs heavily, running a hand through his hair. “It’s Gino,” he says finally. “He’s got footage of Jonah going into Perfezione and… not coming out.”
The world seems to tilt on its axis. My ears start ringing, drowning out everything else. “What?” I manage to choke out, my voice barely above a whisper.
“He’s had eyes on the place since he got back to town,” Angelo explains, his words sounding distant and muffled through the roaring in my ears. “And now he’s using it as leverage.”
My heart is pounding so hard I can feel it in my throat. I struggle to breathe, panic clawing at my chest. “How… how is that possible? We were so careful…”
“Fee, breathe,” Angelo says, his hands on my shoulders, grounding me.
I try to focus on his face, on his steady gaze, but the room feels like it’s spinning. “What does he want?” I ask, dreading the answer.
“Perfezione, of course,” Angelo says grimly. “But that’s not all. He wants my business too. The cars, and… Fucina.”
The implications hit me like a physical blow. Not just my shop, but Angelo’s entire operation. All because of what I did.
It’s all my fault.
22
ANGELO
Color drains from Fee’s face, her eyes widening in horror. She starts to shake, her breath coming in short, panicked gasps.
“This is all my fault,” she whispers, tears welling up in her eyes. “I’ve brought nothing but trouble into your life. I… I think I need space. I don’t want to hurt you anymore.”
Her words hit me like a physical blow. “Fee, no,” I say, reaching for her hands. “This isn’t your fault.”
But I can see the panic taking hold, her eyes darting around the room as if looking for an escape. “When did Gino tell you this?” she asks, her voice trembling.
“He was the ‘vintage’ client my employee mentioned,” I admit, scowling at the memory of Gino’s smug and punchable face sitting in my office. “The bastard was waiting for me at the shop.”
Fee’s breath hitches, a small, pained sound escaping her. “Oh, God, Angelo. What have I done? I’ve ruined everything.”
I try to pull her close, to comfort her, but she resists, pushing away from me. “Fee, please. Listen to me. We can figure this out.”
But she’s shaking her head, tears streaming down her face now. “No, no, no. You don’t understand. I’mpoison. Everyone around me gets hurt. First Jonah, now you…”
“Fee,” I say firmly, trying to break through her spiral. “You are not poison. You’re the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time.”
For a moment, I think I’ve gotten through to her. But then her face crumples, and she backs away. “I don’t believe you. The only reason Gino is trying to punish you is because you have sided with me. I can’t do this. I can’t be the reason you lose everything. I… I need to go.”
I feel panic seize me, a cold grip around my heart. I lunge forward, grabbing Fee’s arm. “What do you mean, you need to go? Where are you going?”
