Book two of 'The Vengeance Duology'
Five years ago, the lads and I made the biggest mistake of our lives-a reckless decision that shattered everything.
We destroyed what mattered most, but my deepest regret is how much I hurt her.
Every moment of pa...
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It's been two days since that conversation with Alessio. Two days of feeling like the world's been spinning just a little differently. I flew back to New York with Tom and Jacques yesterday. Mostly because Tom was annoying my brothers—acting like, and I quote, "their stepbrother." So, I figured it was safer to fly him back before one or both of them decided to shoot him in the head.
Jacques was amused, but even he knew the tension was getting too thick. Tom, of course, was blissfully unaware of how close he'd come to becoming a Sicilian bullet magnet.
I don't know if Tom just doesn't understand social cues or if he's genuinely stupid because my family isn't exactly subtle about their dislike for him. Theo and Lucas won't even talk to him, Alessio is either passive-aggressive or just straight-up aggressive, and Jacques—well, Jacques barely acknowledges him, and when he does, it's blunt, at best. Nicco and Gio have threatened him more times than I can count, and somehow, he still doesn't get the hint.
I swear, it's like he's living in his own little world.
He did, however, see Alessio and me talking on the beach. By the time I got back up the path, Tom was standing there, waiting—his expression tight, the jealousy practically rolling off him.
"What were you doing talking to him?" Tom asks, his voice tight, already suspicious.
"Just having a heart-to-heart," I shrug, trying to play it off casually, but I can see the gears turning in his head.
"A heart-to-heart about what, Valentina?" he presses, his eyes narrowing. I can feel the tension building. He's been suspicious about Alessio for a while now, ever since he noticed the way Alessio "looks at me".
I can't lie. Not now. "Clearing the air after five years. Closure, if you will," I say, trying to move past him, but he steps in front of me, blocking my way.
"Closure for what? Did you two... date or something?" His voice is sharp, and I can see the jealousy boiling over.
I let out a breath, meeting his eyes. "Briefly, yeah."
"What the fuck do you mean, briefly?" Tom snaps, his voice rising in frustration. His eyes widen in disbelief, and I can see the anger bubbling up.
I sigh, trying to keep my cool. "It was a five years ago, Tom. Before you were even in the picture."
"That doesn't matter, Valentina!" he shoots back, running a hand through his hair. "You didn't think to mention this at some point? You and him? Seriously?"
"It wasn't relevant," I say, my tone firm but calm. "It's over. We had a conversation, that's it. Closure. It's done."
Tom doesn't look convinced, his jaw tightens as he crosses his arms. "You sure about that?"
"Yes, I'm sure," I say, hoping to end this conversation before it goes any further. My voice is steady, but inside, I feel my nerves unraveling.
Tom's eyes narrow as he steps closer, refusing to drop it. "Do you miss him?" His tone is sharp, almost accusatory.
