Quietly, I keep walking, careful with my steps until the voice becomes clear, and with it, my caution goes out the window. That red ball of rage inside me flickers to life when I hear her exasperated voice say, “Get away from me, Joseph.”
Then I practically run.
Chapter 6
Vinnie
“Get away from me, Joseph,” I say through gritted teeth, willing everything I have in me not to scream.
Iknowhe’s the one behind August’s sudden interest in me; feeding him lies laced with promises he can’t keep.
August is a disgusting man. He puts on quite the facade for the newspapers, but behind that is a selfish, degrading, and pigheaded man.
A shudder rolls through me, his words replaying in my mind.
“Smile, Vinnie, you’re dancing with the city’s most desired man.”
“What’s the matter, Vinnie? You’d be lucky to have my cock inside you.”
“Just you wait, Vinnie. One day I’ll make you my wife, and you’ll have no choice in the matter. Didn’t you hear?Your father has pretty much promised you to me, thanks to the suggestion of your brother.”
Father wouldn’t dare…would he?
“What’s the matter, Vinnie?” Joseph sneers, his words echoing August’s. “You didn’t enjoy your time dancing with August?”
Turning to face him, I lift my hand, pointing my finger in his face. “Don’t you dare, Joseph. Youknowhe makes my skin crawl.”
Catching my finger, he squeezes as he pulls it away from his face. “And don’tyoudare, dear sister. August is his own man. If he wants to pursue you, who am I to stop him?”
“And his insane idea of marriage? That wasn’t your suggestion?Yourdisgusting idea?”
He smirks maliciously, his gray-blue eyes that match my own growing darker with the hatred within him. “Oh no, baby sis. That absolutely was my idea. I’d love to see you with a man like August. Someone who will put you in your place and keep you there.”
“How can your hatred for your own flesh and blood be so deep?” I yell, throwing both hands into the air.
“You lower your tone,” he seethes, his jaw tightening with force.
As much as it kills me to obey, I do. With a softer voice, I continue. “What have I ever done to earn the way you treat me, Joseph? I’m yoursister. The sibling closest in age to you. We used to be best friends…”
“I was a fool back then, but now I see you for what you truly are, Vincenza.”
“For what I truly am? And what exactly am I, Joey?”
“Do not call me Joey,” he snaps, taking a step toward me.
I watch as his hand balls into a fist, and it causes me to take a step back.
My brother has never physically harmed me, but I’ve also never seen him act like he is now. He’s scaring me, but I try not to let it show on my face.
“Joseph—”
His lip curls upward as though his name on my lips is the foulest thing in the universe. The second of silence is all it takes before we hear footsteps rounding the corner. Someone is coming, and the breath catches in my chest, wondering if it's August.
Joseph starts to walk away, but before he moves too far, he stops and says, “I can’t wait to make your life a living hell, sister.”
And then he leaves.
As he disappears down the corridor, the shadow of someone behind me appears.
