I’m sitting here looking into the barrel of a proverbial gun. If I tell the truth, it might go off. But there’s nothing for it. I love Carina. No bullet will ever change that fact.

“I know because she spent the night with me last night.”

Antonio’s mouth drops open.

“I know because I love her, Antonio. I’ve loved her ever since she came back from school. She’s it for me. I know this might get me killed. Hell, for all I know, Butcher is pointing a knife at my neck right now.” My hackles rise as I say the words. “But that doesn’t matter because I love her. I love Carina, and I want to make her my wife. I know I should’ve told you, should’ve come to you first. But this thing between Carina and me … it’s not something I can describe. It’s not something I planned.” I shrug. “But it’s also not something I can deny. I want Carina for myself. Forever.”

Antonio slowly rises, thunderclouds gathering across his brow.

I take a deep, calming breath and send out a silent message to Carina. It contains an apology for leaving her so suddenly, and more than that, it contains all my love.

20

CARINA

“You guys still here?” They really aren’t going to give up on this one. I towel dry my hair as I walk toward my closet to find something to wear. I wonder when Gilly is going to tell my brother about Falco. I should have told him to wait for me so we could go to Antonio together. It’s my mess, and I’ve pulled everyone else into it.

“We left and came back,” Bianca says. I can tell she wants to say more but is holding herself back.

“You should get dressed,” Angelica tells me. “Quickly,” she adds. I pause at my closet door when I hear the concern in her voice.

“Why, what’s going on?”

“Dressed,” she snips to hurry me along. Sure, Angelica can hand out orders, but she’s not one to be bossy unless there is a reason. It doesn’t take long before that reason dawns on me.

“Oh God, he knows.” I rush into my closet and quickly throw on some clothes. “How mad is he?” I ask when I exit my closet. “I didn’t know it was Falco’s warehouse when I took it down.”

“What warehouse? How do you take down a warehouse?” Bianca gives me a confused look.

“You bomb it.” I sigh. Antonio must be really mad if Angelica rushed up here to give me a heads up.

“You blew up a warehouse?” Bianca’s eyes widen with surprise. “That’s kinda badass. I thought this is about you and Gilly hooking up.”

“He told my brother?” I hiss. What the hell? That was the one thing I told him not to do!