The Prototype

66. Forgiveness

Pressing too hard.

I inclined my head slightly, filing the thought away. "I do have to handle some upcoming things throughout Italy, so whenever I decide to travel back, I'll let you know." My words broad, intentionally so. He didn't need specifics. Not now.

My eyes shifted over to Tempest, seeing her, Joseph and Leonardo share laughs.

My eyes shifted back to Vincenzo nodding his head, "Great, I'm really looking forward to it. I have some very important things to discuss with you."

His words piqued my curiosity, but my mind was already stretched thin, my patience already fraying.

"I'll email you or text you whenever I set up my schedule for Italy," I said, barely sparing him another glance before my gaze drifted back to her.

Tempest now standing with Vittorio, Adriano and Aldo with Joseph and Leonardo still with her.

My hands twitched inside my pockets, the fabric of my slacks doing little to suppress the tension knotting through me. I kept my expression cool, my stance controlled, but my body was on the verge of snapping. My jaw tightened, my teeth pressing together as I watched Adriano's gaze linger on Tempest—hard, dark, hungry.

Vincenzo's voice barely registered anymore, his words an afterthought in the chaos of my thoughts.

"Okay, great. Hope to hear from you soon," he said, his tone tinged with urgency, almost suspicious.

My gaze flicked back to him, but only for a second. He didn't matter right now.

"You will, you have my word," I assured him, my voice clipped, my patience wearing thin.

"Great," he replied, his lips twitching in something close to a smile. "I hope you and Tempest are doing well."

There was something underlying in the way he said it. A note of something I didn't fucking like.

"We are," I answered, my tone firm, final.

His lips curled into a forced smile, a poor attempt at sincerity. "That's great to know."

"Is there anything else you needed to talk to me about?" I asked, my brow lifting, my patience running out.

He held my gaze for a beat before shaking his head. "Oh, no, that was it."

I nodded once, dismissing him without another thought. "Well, you have a good night. Enjoy yourself."

I strode back over towards Tempest with now everyone still standing alongside her but now with Gia and Gabby who was standing on both sides of Tempest as protection barriers. Even with them standing with her, I wanted to be next to her.

As I approached, all of their eyes shifted to me. "There he go," Gia said, a smirk playing on her lips.

"Just the man we've been waiting for," Vittorio added, his expression warm but carrying an edge I didn't ignore. He extended his hand.

"Vittorio." I clasped his hand firmly before moving to the next. "Adriano." Our handshake lingered a second longer than necessary, his grip a fraction tighter, his eyes holding something I didn't like. I met his stare, unflinching, before finally moving on. "Aldo." I shook his hand last. "Great to see you three."

Vittorio gave a nod, "No, it's a pleasure and an honor that you even invited us to such an important event as this." his voice carrying that smooth, calculated politeness.

"Oh, of course. Glad you decided to make it." My voice even and composed.

Vittorio glanced at Adriano and Aldo briefly before speaking again. "We don't take it lightly, and please know that we did our part."