Page 18 of Taking His Heart

Guilt eats at me. I know I hurt him. But it’s not like I didn’t hurt myself too. I will the tears not to come. I am not crying right now. Rosie reaches over and grips my hand in hers, squeezing, letting me know she’s right here.

“If you know what’s good for you, Alfie Giuliani, you will not speak to my sister like that. I’ll cut your damn vocal cords from your throat,” Rosie hisses.

My eyes widen at her. I know my little sister looks the part of sweet and innocent, but she is far from it. “Rosie, it’s fine,” I tell her.

“You and what army, Little Rosie?” Alfie taunts.

“Oh, I don’t need an army, Alfie. I can do it all on my own. Wanna see how?” Rosie hums in that sugary-sweet voice of hers.

“You Australians are fucking insane,” Alfie grunts.

“You should keep that in mind next time you threaten my sister,” Rosie counters.

I catch Aurelio’s gaze in the rearview mirror. He’s doing his best not to smile at our sister’s alter ego popping her psycho little head out.

Finally, we pull into the Royal Flush. I was standing on the street in front of this building when CJ got shot. Because of me. Just another time he got hurt because of me. Again, I’m consumed by guilt.

Rosie tugs on my hand as she steps out of the car, dragging me out behind her. “I wonder how many hot guys I can find in here. The last place was severely lacking.”

“Oh, little sissy, you don’t have to worry about that. Because you’ve got the ultimate cock-block right here with you,” Aurelio says while pointing a finger at his chest.

Rosie rolls her eyes while linking her arm with mine. “We need to find a way to ditch the wet rag,” she whispers.

“Or we just enjoy the fact he’s bringing us out and not dragging us home,” I suggest. I have no interest in men anyway. I’m more than happy to dance the night away, drink, and hang out with my sister.

By the time we reach the doors to the club Aurelio chose, we’re surrounded by all of our friends.

Frankie, Alfie’s little sister and Emilio’s wife, comes up to my side. “I’m sorry my husband told them where we were.”

“I figured he would.” I laugh. “It was only a matter of time.”

Frankie’s husband is the definition of obsessive stalker vibes. I don’t think she can go anywhere without Emilio knowing where she is.

“It’s okay, honestly. I’m just happy to be finding a dance floor,” I tell her.

I love dancing. It’s freeing, and when I’m on the dance floor, I’m able to let the music take over and clear my mind of everything that haunts me. Namely him. The one person I’m doing my best to ignore right now.

But when I take a quick look at him, I see pain etched on his face. His hand rubs at his stomach. I reach into my clutch and grab the two Advil I was planning on taking before I left the club tonight. It’s my no hangover method. Take Advil and drink a bottle of water. It’s never failed me.

As soon as we reach the booth, I’m quick to take the seat next to CJ, which gains the looks of everyone around us. I hand him the Advil under the table. “Take these.”

“You trying to drug me, darling?” he asks in a low tone.

I roll my eyes at him. “It’s Advil. You need something for the pain you’re in.”

“No amount of drugs can mask the pain I’ve been in, Dani,” he says, taking the Advil from me and popping them into his mouth.

Well, shit, I deserve that, I guess.

“We’re not here to fuck spiders, assholes. Let’s drink already!” Aurelio yells out across the table, raising a bottle of Cinque whiskey.

Picking up an empty glass, I hold it out towards my brother for him to fill. Having your family own and run a distillery means I am no stranger to the drink. I bring the glass to my lips and let the liquid slide down my throat, enjoying the burn from within.

Chapter Nine

I’ve been getting mixed messages from Daniella for the last hour and a half. She’s been on and off the dance floor with her sister. Every time she’s come off, she sits next to me. And every time, just that little bit closer.

“Having fun?” I ask her when she sits down, her leg brushing against mine, her chest heaving as she tries to catch her breath.