Page 147 of Alessio

And aching.

Actually, it hadn’t left him since he got the news Ginevra headed back to New York, but he got better at ignoring it. Now, it was back with a vengeance.

Fuck his whole life.

The call clicked, and Alessio’s standard message to leave a message came through the speaker. Corrado gritted his teeth, yet still left a simple message that said, “Les, call me.”

Stuffing the phone back into his pocket, Corrado navigated the halls of The League’s complex until he stood in the doorway of Dare’s office. He never understood why the man rarely closed his door, but he didn’t.

Not unless Cree was in there.

“What can I do for you, Corrado?”

Dare, with his back facing Corrado as he watched a screen on the wall showcasing a news reel, hadn’t even twitched a finger to let him know he was aware of his presence.

“Alessio arrived back from his assignment today?”

“Apparently.”

“What does that mean? Either he did, or he fucking didn’t.”

“It means yes, he was here, and no, I didn’t see him.”

“Well, where is he?”

“I’m not sure, but if he’s not picking up your calls, and he didn’t let you—”

“Try not being an asshole for five minutes.”

Dare shook his head. “Eh.”

Corrado clenched his teeth so hard his molars ached. “Dare—”

“I made a promise to Les—I would stay out of his business for you, and other personal issues. That’s what he asked, and that’s what I will do. But understand, Corrado, that if he’s taken off again because of something you did, I will cut your heart out and mail it to your father with blood still in the chambers. Do you hear me?”

He blinked.

Dare continued to watch the screen, unbothered.

Well …

“I’m not even sure if it’s about me, or not,” he muttered.

“Yes, well, that happens when you choose selfishness over selflessness.”

Right.

Dare made a good point.

And Corrado hated it.

“Thank you.”

Siena’s head popped above the island counter, so she could see Ginevra on the other side. Slowly, she stood, a casserole dish in her hands she planned on using to cook their dinner. “For what, Ginny?”

“Everything you did, I guess. For me, but also for the girls when I couldn’t.”

“But …”