on yourself. You invited him in, for Christ’s sake!” I dig the tip into his face and he lets out a high-pitched, ear-piercing shriek.
“If only your pal Moretti could hear you now,” I say, rolling my eyes. “You know, you’re really not cut out for this kind of work, dude. You need a bigger set of balls. And judging by that last scream, I wonder if you have any at all.”
“Please don’t! Tell me what you want me to do.”
“I want you to tell me what Moretti is up to.”
“I don’t know!”
I dig the blade in farther until a drizzle of blood courses down his cheek. “This is gonna leave a scar, Lorenzo. You wanna look like your new buddy, Rossi?”
His teeth chatter as I drag the blade a bit farther down his cheek. I don’t press too hard since I’m gonna save the best for later if he doesn’t do as I ask.
“Wh-what do you know about Rossi?”
I lean in, my voice hissing against his ear. “I saw him here before. And he’s been showing up around here a lot more. Why?”
“I really don’t—ahh!”
Now the blade is at his throat and I really think he’s damn close to pissing himself.
“You know and you’re gonna tell me.”
“Moretti is meeting with some real estate developers in the area!” The words tumble from his mouth with lightning speed. I guess he wants to keep his head attached to his body.
“What developers?”
Lorenzo shrugs. “He didn’t give me names. And Rossi was here asking if I wanted in on a new location that Moretti is scouting.”
“What did you tell him?” I growl into his face.
“I said yes!” he weeps. “He’d have killed me if I said no! I’m already in too deep!”
“That’s because you’re a greedy bastard.”
“No, it’s because I need to protect myself, Xander! Everyone knows your father is on borrowed time. Even you know it! If he doesn’t make some big moves, everyone who works for him is fucked!”
I grab Lorenzo by his shirt collar and slam him against a wall. “Don’t you ever say that again. He has the situation under control and he’s taking care of his own.”
“He’s not doing it fast enough. Moretti is coming and he’s got big money backing him.”
“Where’s it coming from?”
Lorenzo shakes his head, tears streaming from his eyes. “He didn’t say and I didn’t ask. I don’t give a fuck! I want to keep my place and make money! Period!”
“Well, guess what? If survival fits into your list of wants, then you’re going to do exactly what I ask.” My lips curl into a malicious smirk and I hold up the knife blade in front of his eyes. “You’re gonna help me get the information I need, or else keeping your dick attached to your body will become your top priority. Capice?”
Chapter 12
Charlotte
“Miss, we’re here,” Rolland calls out from the driver’s seat.
My eyes are still glued to my phone.
Nothing from Xander — all goddamn night. Nothing!
Feeling like a complete fool, I wave goodbye to him and exit the backseat.
I pull in a sharp breath.
Here goes nothing.
Ellie rushes up to me with a shit-eating grin and two Starbucks cups in hand.
“I thought you might need a little caffeine jolt to get you in the mood.” She hands me my latte as we start to walk to our first period together.
I take it, offering the nicest smile I can muster — even though my heart is twisting. “Thanks. You were so right.”
“I’m surprised you’re back already. I totally would’ve milked that shit for at least a week,” Ellie chortles.
I shrug. “I didn’t want to be cooped up any longer. I was getting a little bit of cabin fever.”
More like I was driving myself insane thinking about Xander. How he once again left me with empty promises and false hope. That I let myself believe him. And how stupid I feel for believing that he could actually love me. There is no fucking way that that man even knows what love really means. How could he? He’s the product of his brother Jase. A cold, heartless brute who uses people and throws them away with the next breath. It’s embedded in the Iazetti DNA. And I need to start remembering that. Words don’t mean a damn thing. Actions do. And Xander’s actions were showing his true colors for the hundredth time.
“I guess I can understand that. I, for one, am super happy you’re back. English class is so boring without you. If I have to hear one