Unraveled (Guzzi Duet Book 1)(95)

“Carolina’s House,” Gian said, naming the shelter.

He knew it, because he donated to it often over his adult life for personal reasons.

Cara didn’t know that, though.

She didn’t know Gian watched her at all.

Dom nodded. “Still there. She’ll be back in school next month, probably. I’m not sure about the shelter after that.”

Knowing Cara, and what she wanted to do with her life, if the shelter allowed her a position while she remained in university, she would take it in a heartbeat. Gian hoped they gave her the chance. Dreams were worth following, after all.

“That’s about all I have to tell on that side of things,” Dom noted.

“Nothing else?” Gian asked.

Dom gave his brother a side-long look. “She’s not been out with anybody, you know. And you could just outright ask that, instead of posing it like it’s something else. I don’t think she’s even got time for a man, Gian.”

He doubted that. Cara had time, if she wanted to make it. For whatever reason, she just hadn’t made the time.

Yet.

Jealousy burned hot and heavy in his gut at the thought. Gian ignored the reckless, violent emotion, because what in the hell else could he do?

He couldn’t force his wants upon Cara.

Hadn’t he already hurt her enough?

“You could go see her,” Dom suggested.

Gian scoffed. “Our last encounter did not end well. I doubt me showing up would go over spectacularly, either.”

“Then why not leave her alone, man?” Dom nodded down the aisle where Elena had disappeared to. Most of the people had also cleared out of the church. “You do have a wife, Gian. Focus there, maybe.”

“Right, my wife.”

Fuck that.

Gian decided their conversation was going nowhere, and turned around to leave only to come face to face with his father and mother. Frederic and Celeste made no attempt to hide the fact they had been standing there eavesdropping on the brothers’ conversation.

“Do you have something you would like to add?” Gian asked his scowling father.

Frederic had no qualms about sharing his opinions with Gian, especially regarding his unconventional marriage, and the affair his son had with Cara for months.

“Your brother has a point,” Frederic said. “Don’t go getting yourself caught up into another mess with the Rossi girl. Not now, Gian. You have better things to focus your time and energy on, and Elena is just one of those things.”

“Or you could mind your fucking business.”

“Gian!” his mother said, horrified and glancing toward the pulpit.

Gian wasn’t in the mood to tone down his attitude for the sake of sensibilities. “I said what I said, Ma. I meant it.”

“You married your wife,” his father said, paying no attention to his wife or what his son had told him. “You chose to marry that girl, and now you have to live with it.”

“I never got a choice, actually. I was given the illusion of a choice, which you’re aware.” Gian slid on his aviator sunglasses, and pushed past his father to head down the aisle. “It still makes no difference to what I told you. Mind your fucking business.”





BethanyKris is a Canadian author, lover of much, and mother to three very young sons, one cat, and two dogs. A small town in Eastern Canada where she was born and raised is where she has always called home. With her boys under her feet, a snuggling cat, barking dogs, and a spouse calling over his shoulder, she is nearly always writing something ... when she can find the time.