I close my eyes, and when I open them again, he’s gone. As if he were never here and I dreamed up the entire encounter. My fingers feel for the charm. I bring it to my lips and kiss it.
“I really am trying to save hearts,” I whisper to my empty room.
Chapter Five
Idrop the last box in the living room.
“I really hope you know what you’re doing,” my father says, looking around my new apartment.
“I do,” I tell him.
“I will always have your back, Emilio. I just want you to be one hundred percent sure before I have to possibly start a war with my best friend,” he says.
“It’s not going to come to that,” I tell him.
“Let’s hope not,” my father groans. “But if it does, just know we will win.”
“Obviously.” I roll my eyes. No one stands a chance against my father’s empire. Anyone who thinks they do is a fucking idiot. Many have tried and failed to take us down. “Papa, I appreciate the support. But I’m not going to let the family get dragged into any kind of war. It’ll be fine.”
“Does she know yet?” Elias asks.
“No,” I tell him. When Frankie finds out I’ve moved into the apartment right next door to hers, she’s either going to kill me or kiss me. Odds are 50/50.
After Christmas, I decided something had to change. I was done waiting for her to come to some kind of realization that her pushing me away isn’t helping either of us. Which is why I decided to stop making myself scarce around her. I figured moving in next door puts me right in her path.
She won’t be able to avoid me. And hopefully, she’ll give in to what she really wants. I know what I want, and now I’m going to make sure I get it. Frankie Giuliani isn’t going to know what hit her.
“Okay, well, I’ve got shit to do. Call if you need anything,” Dad says.
“Thanks.” I nod and watch as he and my brother leave my apartment. I get to work unpacking boxes. I hate mess. I make sure everything has a place for a reason. I like things orderly.
Two hours later, there’s a knock. Pressing mute on my phone, which was blaring music, I open the door.
The smile of the woman on the other side drops the moment she sees me. “What?”
“Afternoon.” I smile at her.
“Why are you here?” Frankie asks.
“I live here. Why are you knocking on my door?” I counter.
“I was bringing the new tenant cookies. It’s a thing my mom told me I should do. But now that I know it’s you, I’m keeping them.” She holds the container closer to her chest.
“Should I call Aunt Charlotte and let her know how exceptional your hospitality skills are?” I laugh. “Want to come in?” I hold the door open, and to my surprise, Frankie actually walks inside.
I close the door and step away. The last thing I want is for her to feel trapped. I know she doesn’t do well when she feels trapped. Not since that asshole took her into that dark alley when we were sixteen. She never did find out that I killed him. I’m sure she suspected it when he disappeared never to be seen or heard of again, but she never asked.
“Why are you here, Emilio?”
“I wanted a fresh start. This seemed like as good a place as any,” I tell her.
“Here? Right next door to me?”
“Well, yeah, it’s a nice building, secure and all that shit.”
“Are you purposely trying to torture me?” she asks.
“Is that the kind of kink you’re into? Because I gotta say… I didn’t pick you for a BDSM girly. I’ll give it a go if you want, though. I’m pretty good at dishing out punishments. Maybe it could be fun.”