I looked away and snatched my gym bag. “People can change. Sometimes it just takes finding the right person.”
“You don’t really believe that’s going to be you, right? You’ve been in front of him for years now, not to mention that you’ve been talking about Dad looking for possible suitors for months on end. Savio doesn’t give a shit. He won’t ask for your hand.”
“But I know how he watches me. He wants me.” The words turned my cheeks hot. It was the first time I admitted it to Diego, or anyone but Toni.
Diego grimaced. “Of course, he does. But he wants you for free and without any ties. That’s not going to happen, so he lost interest. You’re too much work for his taste.” Diego regarded my face then shook his head with a sigh. “Come on, let’s head home.”
He touched my back, but I stepped out of his reach and walked ahead, angry at him even though I knew he was telling the truth. Nothing of this was Diego’s fault. He’d warned me from the get-go. It was my fault for falling for someone like Savio Falcone. And it was Savio’s fault for being such a male slut.
Savio was still unwrapping his hands, immersed in a conversation with Mick and Nino, who must have come in while we’d been in the locker room. I was surprised to see Mick. He rarely trained with Savio. Maybe because he was embarrassed about his lack of skill.
“Keep it together, all right?” Diego muttered. “We were raised to be prideful, so stop throwing yourself at him.”
I sent my brother a scowl, but he was right. I’d been flirting with Savio like there was no tomorrow, had dressed sexier to catch his attention and had talked about my father’s search for suitors until I was blue in the face—without results. This was as far as I’d go. Maybe Savio wanted a taste, like Toni had said, but I wouldn’t give it to him. Either he wanted me and was willing to show it, or he wasn’t. My stomach tightened at the implication of that statement. The chances of me marrying the guy I was in love with were close to zero.
But I had some pride and even Savio couldn’t make me give it up. If he was looking for easy lays, he could look the other way.
Diego and I stopped beside the three men. “We’re heading home.”
Savio nodded. His eyes briefly slanted to me but then he returned his focus to unwrapping the bandages around his wrists. Nino gave me a curt nod.
“I’ll come with you to the parking lot,” Mick said quickly as he grabbed his bag from the floor.
“Didn’t you just get here?” Savio asked with cocked eyebrows.
Mick flushed. “Uh, yes, but I forgot something in my car.”
Forcing myself not to look at Savio, I gave a wave and followed Diego toward the exit. He obviously wanted to leave as soon as possible. I’d noticed rising tension between him and Savio, and knew it was because of me.
“Do you want me to carry your bag?” Mick asked, startling me.
He was walking close behind me, smiling. “Sure.” I handed my bag to him. It wasn’t like it was too heavy for me, but if he offered to carry it, who was I to say no?
“Your fighting skills are crazy good for a girl,” Mick continued, giving me another smile. He hadn’t even seen me fight today, and the last time he’d been around when I’d trained with Diego had been more than a year ago.
“Thank you. Yours are good for a guy as well.” They weren’t really but I had to say something.
Mick frowned, obviously not getting my jab. He gave a hesitant grin.
Diego threw a glance over his shoulder and slowed, falling into step beside me. He sent Mick a look I didn’t understand.
Mick appeared flustered after that. Glancing between the two of them, I tried to determine what was going on. We stopped at our car. Mick as well, even though we’d already passed his car. Diego crossed his arms in front of his chest. I raised my eyebrows. Why was he acting like a bouncer? Did he have problems with Mick as well? Diego could be difficult, I was the first to admit that.
“So, Gemma, if you want more opportunities to improve your skills, I could train with you as well. Under Diego’s supervision, of course.”
I really didn’t understand how Mick could be a Camorrista. He was far