Chapter 6
Carlo left to use the men's room, leaving me and Cole alone at the table.
"So..." Cole says, breaking the awkward silence.
"What happened earlier at the Winery?" his whole demeanour changes, demanding answers.
Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!
Why did he have to ask that?
I try thinking of an excuse, but my brain seems to have left this conversation.
"I have PTSD." I reply simply.
It's technically not a lie. I do have PTSD because of them.
"Well obviously. But..." he trails off, probably thinking of how to phrase it.
Please don't ask. Please don't ask. Pleeeeease don't as-
"What set it off?" he finishes the previous question, and I gulp nervously.
Fuck. Shit. Crap. Fuck- I already said fuck. Ugh!
"Why do you care?" I challenge, hoping to change the subject.
This would be a great time for Carlo to walk in.
"I don't. But my uncle does. So, what. Set. It. Off?" he stresses and I try reactivating my brain.
Luck isn't on my side and I -once again- come up blank.
"None of your business." I reply.
"Oh but it is, piccola. You being involved with zio's business makes it my business." he smirks.
Ugh! Drop it already Santini!
"It has nothing to do with you, or your uncle." Just the lifestyle you both live.
"That's not the point, amore. Tell me. Now." [love.] his voice becomes firm and I gulp once again.
"Ciao ragazzi. What're you talking about?" [Hey guys.] Carlo quizzes, finally returning to the table and freeing me from this interrogation.
"Nothing important." Cole responds, looking at me with a 'this isn't over' look.
I look away nervously and the waitress returns with the mouth-watering food.
"Thank God, I'm starving." me and Cole state at the same time, and Carlo chuckles.
"Tell me about it." he says.
After talking about nothing, we finish and get ready to leave.
"Oh dio. I have an emergency meeting to get to. Cole pay the bill please. I'll see you later Cassie." and Carlo leaves, leaving me to fend for myself from the devil.
Cole pays for the bill which comes to €96.50 and my eyes widen to the size of plums.
"€100 for food?" I question, stunned by the amount printed on the receipt.
"No. €96.50 for food." he grins and I roll my eyes.
"Don't roll your eyes at me piccola. It's rude. I'd hate to have to teach you some manners." he sternly whispers in my ear, and I shiver at his seductive voice.
"Teach me some manners? And how would you do that?" I challenge.
"Do you really wanna find out?" he says lowly, opening the door for me as we walk out of the restaurant and back towards the car.
I look at him and roll my eyes at him again.
This man does not scare me. What on earth does he think he ca-
"Put me down!" I shriek.
He ignores my pleas and slaps my ass. I gasp, concealing my moan that wants to escape, and try getting out of his hold, but it's futile. He sits me in the back seat of the car, locking the doors so I can't get out. He gets in the driver's seat and starts the engine.
"Was that supposed to scare me or something?" I challenge with confidence that's appeared from thin air.
He chuckles as he dials someone and places the phone to his ear.
"Per favore, dì a Carlo che la signorina Clarke farà tardi. Grazie." [Please tell Carlo that miss Clarke is going to be late. Thank you.] He hangs up without a reply and begins to drive.
"Where are we going?" I demand as his lips turn into his famous smirk.
"To teach you some manners..."