“Now, now, Luca. That’s no way to talk about a lady. Tell me, who are you looking for?”
“My girlfriend.”
“It definitely doesn’t sound like she’s your girlfriend. It doesn’t sound like she’s anything of yours. Especially not with those bruises you’ve left on her pretty face.” I said, my cocky demeanor changing to show him that I was pissed and ready for war.
“What does it matter to you? She’s my girlfriend.” The fucker spat at me.
“Not anymore. She’s mine.”
Luca stood up and lunged for me, but I sidestepped his attack.
“You don’t know her. She’s not worth starting this war over. She’s a worthless cunt; a used-up piece of ass who means nothing. She fuckingowesme.” Luca said lowly with a sadistic smirk.
I saw red. My entire line of vision narrowed to his slimy face and I cocked my fist. But wouldn’t let it fly. It took all of my willpower to hold back. But I promised her I wouldn’t start a fight. I was trying to earn her trust and this was how it would start.
“So, she sucked your dick too. Fucking slut.” He said, his eyes taking in my cocked fist.
“Shut your motherfucking mouth or I will shut it for you. For at least eight weeks.” I said through clenched teeth, my promise to Talia still fresh in my mind.
I wouldn’t break a promise to her. Too many men have done that to her and I will not be one of them. Not again.
“Talia Jones is mine. And I will tell you right now, if she is not back in my apartment tomorrow by 8 am, I will take it as an official call to war. You have been warned.”
“Take it however you want, Garzino. You won’t see her again, you won’t touch her again, you won’t think about her again. Do you fucking understand me?” I leaned in closer to him and grabbed the collar of his shirt, twisting the fabric and forcing him closer. I had a good five inches on him and basked in the satisfaction when he shrunk back, trying to get away. Luca brought his hands up and shoved me away with as much force as he had, but I barely budged. I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of moving me around.
“You don’t know what you’re doing. You don’t know her. She’s not some little girl that needs protecting, she is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. You’re starting a war over a nobody.”
I was so sick of his voice.
“I know exactly who she is. I bet I know her better than you do. And regardless, you’re a piece of shitabuser.”
He just chuckled darkly. “Your loss. I’ve given you my terms and if she’s not back by 8 am, we will be at war.”
“Understood. Now get thefuckout.” I seethed and shoved past him to open the door.
Luca didn’t say another word, and I was fucking glad because I was barely hanging on to my self-control. When he walked out the door, I let my fist fly.
I felt the pain when my knuckles broke through the drywall, but in that moment, letting myself hit something - even an inanimate object that was a poor substitute for the real source of my anger - felt amazing.
“Kieron?” I heard her twinkling voice that immediately brought some relief to my anger that was burning brightly in my chest.
“Talia? What are you doing in here?” I turned around quickly to face her but also to hide the hole in the wall.
“Cillian said it was safe to leave the viewing room, that security told him Luca had left the building. Are you okay?” She asked, walking into the room and coming up to me.
“I’m fine, are you okay?”
“I am. You did what you promised.” She took my hand and pulled it from behind my back to stare at the damage I’d done.
“I did, I tried.” I felt my shoulders drop with the statement. I didn’t hit him, I wanted to, but I didn’t. But I still hurt myself and she was going to take that on herself becauseIneeded to let my anger out.
“You still got hurt.” She whispered and took my already bruising hand in hers. It was covered in a fine dust but thankfully no cuts or broken skin. Talia brought my fist to her lips and gently kissed my knuckles.
I couldn’t help but watch her and hold my breath as she freely gave me affection. Being very cognizant of what happened last time, I froze.
“I’m okay. Just a bruise, it’s nothing.”
“What happens now?” She asked me softly, still holding my hand close to her face.
