Page 152 of When She Falls (The Fallen)
A bitter feeling solidifies inside my gut.Home. Where we’re going isn’t my home. Not anymore. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to walk by Papà’s office without remembering what happened there.
“Why did you decide to come back?” Vince asks as we start moving.
The long flight gave me a chance to put together my official story, and it hangs on my ability to mask my true feelings for Ras. I’m going to say I begged him to take me away, and that he obliged despite the grave risk to himself. I’ll blame my poor decisions on my distressed state after Papà’s attack. And I’ll explain that when I calmed down, I realized my place is back in New York.
If anyone asks why Ras didn’t escort me back, I’ll say it’s because Damiano summoned him back to Italy.
By now, Ras has to be on his way back home, right? What else would he do? And Damiano will take him back. He has to. I wanted to call Vale as soon as I landed so I could tell her the same story I’m about to tell Vince, but my phone was practically ripped out of my hands by the guys who came to pick me up. Something tells me it will be a while before I get it back.
“Did Cleo tell you what happened before Papà got arrested?”
Vince looks uncomfortable. “Yes.”
“Then you can understand that I wasn’t thinking clearly. I convinced Ras to help me get away because I didn’t know what else to do. I was scared.”
A jolt of surprise travels up my spine when Vince reaches over and takes my hand in his.
“Gem, I’m sorry,” he says, his voice wavering. “I had no idea Papà was hurting you. Cleo told me you said it wasn’t the first time either.”
I bite my tongue.You may have had an idea if you hadn’t left us here to do whatever the hell you’re doing in Europe.
“It’s fine.”
“It’s not fine. I told Papà if he ever does it again, I’ll tell Rafaele to cut the five years Papà has left as don short. The only reason he’s getting out of jail is because you’re here now. He owes you everything.”
He squeezes my limp hand, but I quickly tug it back on my lap. His words feel empty and a few years too late. I don’t need his protection and love now. It’s too late for that.
“When are you going back to Europe?” I ask.
“After your wedding.”
“Want to make sure I don’t do anything else to make your deal fall through? Don’t worry. I’m going to marry Rafaele,” I say dryly.
He swallows audibly. “Gem, I should have been open with you about the—”
“I don’t want to hear it.”
He doesn’t listen and keeps going. “I didn’t think you’dmind. You never seemed like you wished for more than this. At least not like the rest of us did.”
Outrage unfurls inside my chest. How dare he? “Just because I wasn’t breaking into Papà’s bank account like you or doing outrageous shit like Cleo, you assumed you could take control of my life and do whatever you wanted with it? Did you really think I’d be happy being a pawn on your chessboard?”
“No, that’s not—”
“Should I thank you for making all these choices for me?” I pin him with my gaze. Whatever he sees inside of it makes him pale.
“Maybe you’re right,” I say coldly. “What more could Ipossiblywant?”
“I’m just saying—”
“Honestly, I don’t care what you have to say at this point. I’m tired. It’s been a long journey. You’re getting everything you want, so maybe you can be kind enough to give me just one thing in return.”
“What?” he asks.
“Silence. I don’t want to talk to you.”
There’s remorse in his gaze, but I don’t care. It does nothing to soften my feelings toward him.
“Okay,” he says quietly.
