And there it is. “You want to run that by me one more time? Just so we’re clear?”
He grinned. “You can act as tough as you want. But, I know you didn’t know that. You’re not that smart, Bonnie. Not by a longshot. The man you love and our father had lunch the other day, and our father tried to convince Israel that you’re nothing but a backstabbing bitch. But when Dad can’t get through to people? He calls me. That’s why I’m here. Your rein in Israel’s life is over, Moretti. And I intend to make sure my brother understands that, too.”
I lunged for him. “You’re the one that isn’t loyal. You’d rather slaughter your brother’s home and who he’s got in it than actually give a damn about how he feels. He and I are building something together. Yes, we’ve had some hiccups along the way—”
He snickered. “More like volcanic valleys.”
“But I won’t let you ruin what’s forming between us. I won’t let you come into our home—”
“His home.”
“—and destroy us further when my own damn family is trying to kill us both.”
He chuckled. “This is going to be much easier than I thought, beautiful.”
I hissed at him. “Don’t you call me that.”
Israel’s voice barreled down the hallway behind me. “What’s going on in there? You guys all right?”
I sighed. “Yes, handsome. Everything’s fine!”
I saw Giovanni peer over my shoulder before he reached for me. I backed up, trying to get away from him. But he quickly backed me into a wall. I felt his knee press between my leg and my hands planted against his chest. I tried to shove him away, but damn it, the man had himself firmly planted in front of me. “Get off me.”
His lips fell to my ear. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
I shoved his face away. “Get off—Isr—”
His voice boomed beside us. “What the fuck is this?”
I shoved Giovanni away.
He grabbed my wrist, dragging me along with him. He stumbled back against the chair, and I fell against his body, to which he caught me in his arms. He wrapped himself around me as I struggled to get free while Israel’s anger mounted. I felt it growing in the room, like a balloon being filled with hot air. I watched Giovanni’s disgusting smile spread across his lips as I struggled against him, but when I managed to steal a glimpse at Israel, he looked furious.
He doesn’t really think this is consensual, does he?
I pushed against his brother. “This isn’t what it looks—”
Giovanni chuckled. “And here I thought we’d have a bit more time, butterfly.”
I slammed my fists against his chest. “Let me go!”
He held up his hands. “Not what you were insisting on a few minutes ago.”
I whipped around to face Israel. “The man’s lying. He’s come here to—”
He held his hand up to me, stopping my words in their tracks. I’d never seen the kind of rage I witnessed in Israel’s face. And at that moment, I knew for certain he was going to kill me.
“Gee? Get settled in. I’m having dinner brought to us tonight.”
“Israel, please,” I whispered.
Giovanni walked by his brother and whispered something I couldn't hear.
I glared at the man before he winked at me over his own brother’s shoulder. Then, he walked down the hallway with his suitcase.
Israel’s hand slowly lowered.
I wanted nothing more than to rattle off what really happened. But I knew better than to speak.
“Upstairs,” he said quietly.
“Israel, I—”
“I want you upstairs until dinner.”
I balked. “Are you kidding me? Your brother trapped me in a corner.”
“Now, woman.”
I stepped toward him. “No.”
His face turned red. “Excuse me?”
“I said, no. I’m not going anywhere until we talk. Your brother has come into your home—”
“So, it’s my brother’s fault that you wanted him so close?”
“What? No. I tried to get away, and he kept blocking me from moving. He pinned me down. That’s what happened. You—you saw it.”
“Didn’t seem like you were trying so hard to get away from him when I walked in.”
How could he not have seen what had just happened? “That’s what he—he wants you to think. He just told me that—”
Israel waved his hand in the air. “I’m too tired to deal with this.”
“Please.”
“Get away from me.”
“You have to listen to me.”
“I don’t have to do a damn thing you ask me to. Now, get yourself upstairs. I’ll call you when it’s time for dinner.”
I didn’t listen to him, though. Instead, I pursued him down the hallway. I followed him into the kitchen, forcing him to listen to what I had to say. Because I wasn’t going to let some slimy little snake use his family ties in order to rip us apart. I wouldn't let that happen. Giovanni was a disgusting excuse for a human being. He’d flirted with me at our wedding, and now he was in our own home doing the same damn thing.
I wasn’t sure if Israel was even listening, though.
I wasn't sure of anything anymore.
6
Bonnie
I sat on the edge of the bed and stared out the window. I never thought I’d grow tired of seeing the Chicago skyline sprawled out before me, but it happened. I was tired of staring out those windows. I was tired of keeping the bed beside Israel warm without him ever touching me, or even going to bed when I slipped in myself.
I felt like I was living alone in some ivory prison where nothing but tortures unseen beat down against me. I had plans to stay up here this entire time, if that’s what it took to get Giovanni off my back. If I needed to lock myself away until that slimy asshole left, then so be it. But, I needed to speak with Israel, and it needed to happen quickly.
Because the compromising position he caught me in with Giovanni earlier still hadn’t been resolved.
Israel’s voice echoed down the hallway. “Bonnie!”
I sighed, my head falling back. “Yes, Israel!?”
“Dinner’s here. Come on down.”
Not
