Tangled In Strings

Chapter Twelve

"How?"

"My lawyer informed me."

"And you just don't care?"

"He's my brother. Of course I care. But he needs to account for his actions."

"This is her. I swear it is!"

Valentina's sweet eyes reluctantly meet my own. I quickly divert my attention to the floor, listening closely now that I've been mentioned. My stomach has turned.

"This has nothing to do with Scarlett," Giovanni growls, lowering his voice considerably.

"How can you say that? He's told me about her threats to him. He's told me that she's had it out for him from the moment you began seeing each other! She obviously is trying to get back at him for what he did to you with Lola!"

"Are you insane? Scarlett was my publicist. It was her job to handle Tony and Lola."

"No, are you insane? She's only with you for what it can do for her!"

"You don't even know her."

"Giovanni, I love you! I am your mother. And as your mother, I can see through the people you can't. She is not worth all the trouble you've been put through."

"Stop right there." My eyes close at the snap and crackle of verbal thunder in Giovanni's voice.

"You can have anyone, Giovanni. Anyone in the world. The girl is a broken degenerate. Have you actually asked her about her past? Her father is a murderer, Giovanni."

"You're embarrassing yourself."

"NO, you are embarrassing this family by even associating yourself with her!"

"One more word, and I'm gone. One more."

"Or what? You'll leave us for good? You'll–"

I can't listen to it anymore. I leave Valentina's side, heading for the staircase, climbing with a purpose. To get away from his mother's voice by any means necessary.

I open doors randomly, looking for someplace to re-gather. The fourth door is the jackpot, a bathroom. I shut myself inside and don't even think about it. I down the entire martini, standing in the middle of the tile.

I set the glass down onto the sink with a thud, bracing myself at the counter. I study my pale features, convinced I can see my own heart pounding against my chest through my skin. I rub my face roughly, blowing out a breath.

"Fuck. Fuck. Fuck, fuck."

Get ahold of yourself. I shake my hands, refusing to be trembling when I head back out. I refuse to let her words get to me. I refuse to let Giovanni know I heard anything she said.

I open the door just in time that Valentina is making it up the stairs. She holds up her hands in clear distress, but I shake my head, offering her a reassuring smile.

"It's fine."

"No, oh my god. I'm so sorry. I had no idea she'd say anything like that."

"It's okay, Valentina."

"No, it's not."

I shake off the discontentment, trying to conceal the fact that the things his mother said about me struck a nerve.

"I think it's better we don't tell Giovanni we heard anything," I tell her quietly. "How about you show me your room?"

I hear a door slam, and we both flinch, collectively jumping forward into action. I follow her, only relieved when we're shut inside her room. It's definitely a teenager's room.