Caught In The Crossfires - Spinoff

14

CHAPTER 14

Lola

Droplets of rain misted my face, concealing the tears that rolled down my cheek as I exited the building. Nothing seemed to ease them as I leaned up against the Sampson Hall brick wall. I prided myself on being a strong woman, yet here I stood crying over a cheating man. Though I wasn't even sure, it was him I was honestly crying over. Or if it was the prospect of being rejected once again.

My brothers had done that enough throughout the years, and it seemed this thing with Nat- Mr. Mullens stung just as badly. I eventually gathered myself and went home. I showered, changing into comfy clothes before heading over to my shop.

After recuperating in the parking lot for a while, I walked in and found Sophie was currently looking extremely pale while cashing her register out. She texted me if she could leave early. Since we were slow, I told her yes, leaving me to close up. Everyone on the schedule recently came down with flu-like symptoms. So I was on my own tonight, which was a welcomed distraction.

"I'm gonna head out," Sophie sniffled, and I gave her a tight nod. Lost in thought, Mr. Mullens was still heavy on my mind. I couldn't believe I had let myself go there with him again. As soon as she was gone, I pulled out the Clorox Multi-Surface Disinfecting Pads and began wiping down everything she touched. Cleaning steadied me when I was stressed—very therapeutic.

Two hours had passed. Still, no one came into the shop, and after a few more remedial tasks, I became restless. I pulled out my phone to scroll through my social media, but even Instagram was seriously lacking its usual entertainment. Against sensible judgment, I sent Cristiano a text telling him I wanted to see him—well, a bit more than that. But I didn't get a reply which was probably for the best.   

Huffing under my breath, I decided to close up when the bell above the shop door rang. I was thankful for an actual customer, so I put my phone in my back pocket and glanced up at them. "What the hell are you doing here," I asked, narrowing my eyes, staring at my jerk ex-boyfriend, who I hadn't heard from since Cristiano put him out on his ass.

I really didn't need this shit tonight.

"What? You didn't miss me," Brody smirked, and I had to fight the urge to heave.

"Not on your fucking life. How's Ava, by the way?" I laughed sarcastically. The girl was dumber than I was when it came to Brody, and part of me felt for her. No one deserved to consistently be somebody's second choice, no matter how desperate you are.

"Don't worry about Ava. I'm here to see you," he licked his bottom lip, scanning my body with hooded eyes. I snorted, crossing my arms over my chest.

"You're a real piece of work. You know that? Ava deserves so much better than you, and I pray one day she dumps you on your ass like I did. Now please leave and stay the hell away from me, yeah?"

"Funny you don't have that same sentiment for your professors," Brody tilted his head to the side and shrugged his shoulders. Shit, and the hits kept coming. My mouth went dry as he continued talking. "I came to see your English Lit class to see you. I wanted to work things out. But imagine my surprise when Professor Mullens called you into his office after class," he snickered, walking around the counter and standing behind me. I was frozen in place as both his hands came down on either side of my body, caging me between him and the register.

"So, what's your point," I croaked out, panic filling my chest.

"The point is I followed you. And do you know what I heard? You, Lola Mariano, being a dirty fucking whore for your married professor," Brody skimmed his nose up the column of my neck, causing me to shiver in disgust. Fuck. I knew he'd try to use this bullshit to try and weasel his way back into my life. I wouldn't let him—not again—not ever.

**

Cristiano

Sighing, I stared down at the meddlesome message on my phone. 'Hey, I was wondering if you felt like playing with fire tonight because I'd really love to get burned. You know where to find me. ;)' Jesus, the woman had no idea how badly I wanted to continue playing this little game of ours, but I couldn't. Not only was it careless, but it was also dangerous as well. I clicked off the screen and went back to reading the club's inventory, but my thoughts went right back to her.

My first misstep was walking into that damn coffee shop. My second and more critical oversight was kissing her. I could still taste the sweetness of her lips on mine, and it was becoming a problem—she was becoming a problem. I had to keep my distance. Alessandro already caught me in a highly compromising position with her. I needed to nip it in the bud now. She was a job, a means to an end, nothing more.

Even as I lied to myself, I scoffed at the ridiculousness of entertaining a relationship with her. I was in a war with her brothers and not only that. The girl drove me absolutely mad.

Lorella was spoiled, bratty, and privileged. That should have been enough to turn me away for good. But after watching her for so long, I also knew she was intelligent, forgiving, and, most importantly, lonely. I saw it every time I looked into hurt big blue eyes, the loneliness eating away at her—the yearning for someone to care.

I couldn't be that man for her. Could I? No. It was an absurd thought.

Tilting back in my office chair, I brought my glass of scotch to my lips, sipping on the cool, spicy liquid. Why her? Why did I have to want Lorella Elenora Mariano? I grabbed my phone, looking at the message again as a call from her came across the screen. I huffed, running a hand over my face before hitting the answer button.

"Hello, brat," I said into the phone, but there was no response. At first, I thought she might have butt-dialed me. I was about to hang up until I heard her voice.

"Brody, I'm not gonna tell you again. You need to leave my shop right now." My chest tightened, realizing she was speaking to her dirtbag ex-boyfriend. She didn't sound like herself, and it immediately put me on edge.

"What's the matter Lo, I can't touch you anymore. I recall you used to love the way I touched you."

"Get your hands off of me," I heard Lola yell along with what sounded like a hand meeting skin. "I told you we're done. I don't want to be with you anymore. So just leave me alone already!" It was silent for a moment, and I pressed the phone harder to my ear, trying to make out any noise. Then there was what sounded like tussling, and I clenched my fist, waiting to see if she was handling him as she did me the night in my club.

"You think you can end things with me then go whore yourself around like it wouldn't piss me off?" Brody screamed at her before another slapping noise rang through the phone, along with the sound of Lola whimpering then more fighting. I shot up from my seat, grabbing the keys from my desk drawer then jetting out to the parking lot. My cell connected with my Bluetooth as soon as I started my car. "You're mine. You will always be mine, you stupid bitch, and I'm about to remind you of that."

"Hold on, Lola, I'm coming."

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