Raise Your Heart

Chapter 19

"You son of a bitch." Gio's fists balled at his sides as he zeroed in on Dante. "I knew it. I fucking knew it. You fucked her. You fucked the woman I love! I'm gonna kill you!"

Gio didn't waste time charging Dante, colliding with him in the middle of the kitchen, knocking into the center island. The collision earned a solid oomph out of Dante while sending food flying to the floor. Trinity and Katie's screams bounced off of the walls, causing an echo.

Despite being slightly winded from the impact, Dante quickly turned the tables. It took nearly all of his strength to gain the upper hand over his young nephew, with his moves earning him a few nicks from the glass shards of a broken water pitcher.

How interesting to see blood was definitely as thin as water. Nothing thick about it. But there was no more time to ponder the lack of respect. Gio's thirst to spill Dante's blood was evident. This kid needed to come down a peg.

Pulling back and letting loose, Dante drilled his fist into Gio's side knocking the wind out of him. He let his nephew slide to the floor, stepping aside to let him find his breath. Dante quickly scanned the room to see it emptied. Rick must have escorted the girls out. Good. He didn't want Trinity to witness him pulverize her friend.

"So she's pregnant?" Gio asked between breaths, clutching at his side.

"Yes. I'm going to tell my parents at dinner on Sunday. I suggest you get used to the idea. There's nothing you can do about it."

"Sure there is. I can tell her to run as far away from you as she can."

"I knew your apology was a bunch of bullshit. What the fuck is wrong with you? You have Sarah. She loves you."

Gio's laugh was maniacal. "Good old Sarah," he spit, "She's not Trinity. That's what's wrong."

"That's not wrong, Gio. Trinity doesn't think of you in a romantic way."

"She just hasn't had a chance to know me in a romantic way. You're always there. Always in the way," he bit.

"Do you hear yourself? You need help, Gio. Let me help you."

"Fuck you," he spat.

If a good ass whooping was what Gio needed, maybe that's what he should get. No one attacked or spoke to him that way. In his own home no less. But, as angry as he was with his nephew, he needed to restrain himself. So, Dante waited patiently for Gio to gain his feet.

"We can settle this in the gym if you want, Gio. But, you're not going to destroy my home with your tantrum."

"I'm not going anywhere. You're gonna learn what she means to me, 'cuz you just don't seem to get it."

Again, he lunged. But Dante was quicker this time around and side stepped the attempt, sending Gio into a bank of cabinets. Dante's eye twitched.

"You're out of your mind, nephew. Pull yourself together."

"Or what? You'll kill me? Like all the other people who did something you didn't like. Fuckin' murderer."

Dante grinned. "And I'm good at it too. Aren't I, nephew?"

"You don't deserve her. She belongs with someone like me. Someone who can listen to her and understand her." Gio swiped his arm across his mouth erasing the spittle covering his lips.

"Perhaps. But, she'll make do with me. I'm not letting her go for anyone, Gio. Least of all, you. So get used to it."

"Never. I'll never get used to it!" he screamed, swinging his fist.

His moves were sloppy, and Dante was done with this. Absolutely finished. This time when he pulled his arm back, he didn't choose a safe location. This time he did something he'd been wanting to do for a while and punched his nephew on the side of his head, knocking him out cold. His body landed with a heavy thud.

"Fuck me," Dante breathed, wiping his neck.

Looking around, he shook his head. His kitchen was an absolute mess. So much for roast beef sandwiches. And he was really looking forwarding to them. Dammit. Grabbing Gio up by the collar, he started dragging him. Outside was a good choice. He could cool off on the patio. Maybe some fresh air would bring him to his senses. He really needed him to get it together. And quick.

But what was he hoping for? That his problem nephew would just shape up and everything would be fine? That was a joke. After speaking with Mirabella about her brother, he reached out to his sister who seemed to have her head in the sand. At the time, however, he thought she was going to do something. Gio was her son after all. He trusted her to do something.

The reality was that Gio was a problem way before Trinity showed up. He wasn't cut out for the life they led. He wasn't cut out to be in the family, period. It was a situation he feared.

If he didn't say something now, it would be worse for Gio later. He needed a serious conversation with his father, pronto. He would need to pull him aside before their meeting took place. Doing that would cause attention though. It was the last thing he wanted.

Dante huffed, stopping to take a rest. Gio was heavy as fuck. Maybe he should call his father before he arrived. Even if he was in the driveway already. It was the only way to have the most privacy. Deciding on that plan, he pulled out his phone and dialed his father's number. It went unanswered. Shit. He shoved his phone back into his pocket and ran his hands through his hair.

Dante looked around. Still no one. His staff wisely hid themselves away. He was almost to the back door. Before he resumed his dragging, he jogged over and propped the door open with a chair.

With a deep breath, he slipped his arms underneath Gio's and started to pull. This was so fucking stupid. Unbelievable. How had it come down to this? Was it his own fault for not listening? Probably. But for all the times Gio complained, he chalked it up to teenage behavior. Gio wasn't a teenager, but he certainly acted like one. He should have taken note of the signs. Done more.

Nearing the threshold of the door, Dante swore under his breath at the sound of footsteps. He prayed it was one of his employees. Of course it probably wasn't. A look up confirmed as much.

A stoic man stood in front of him in the middle of the hall. The man who made him who he was today. And he wasn't smiling.

"What's going on here?"

Dante laid Gio down and smoothed his hands over his face. "Dad, I think we have a problem."