Twisted Hearts (The Camorra Chronicles, #5)

by Cora Reilly

“Maybe you should move your ass over there and apologize to your fiancée,” Fabiano suggested. “You think?” I muttered. I turned around and headed toward my Bugatti, only to remember that it was still in front of the party mansion, covered in cake. Grabbing the key to Nino’s Tesla, I headed out to the Bazzolis.

Theres literaly no fixing this

I won’t let you go, Kitty. I promised to marry you and I will. Thanks for the cake, by the way. I guess I deserved that. It wasn’t an apology, but it was the best I could do. The Falcone gene seemed to make it impossible to utter the actual words.

Why be so arrogant about it. Some advice,love, SAY SORRY

My phone beeped. I skimmed over Savio’s message, then shoved the phone under my pillow. That was his version of an apology? Did he really think that was all it took to make up for his actions and words?

The Russians said something else, then one of them left. The other moved toward where Nonna had been and whatever he did to her, it made her hand move so I saw it. Unmoving. Lifeless. Was she… was she dead?

NONNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA #crying even more now

Remo whirled around, pointing his guns at us then pointed them back at the kitchen doors, approaching them slowly. Nino knelt beside a body. Diego rushed toward them. His father lay in a pool of his blood. Bullet wounds littered his body. His eyes stared unseeingly up at the ceiling. Diego made a small choked sound. Two dead assholes lay near the bar, dead. Russians, no doubt. The waiters next to the bar were dead as well.

Im crying sm rn

Diego’s nonna lay on the floor, a bullet hole in her forehead. Dread settled in my bones and my heart slammed against my ribcage. Diego pushed past me and Remo, and stormed toward his grandmother, then he looked at something to his right. He let out a hoarse cry, his face scrunching up with despair and he dropped his gun. “No!”

Im never getting this emotionally attached to fictional ppl ever again

I looked up at him and for some reason he was blurry. I couldn’t stand the look on his face and so I looked back to Gemma. Fuck. The last words I’d said to her flitted through my head, the horrible things I’d told her, how badly I’d treated her. As if she was nothing but a sex toy for me, nothing important when she was the only girl who’d ever been a friend, the only girl I’d ever wanted for more than sex. Yet, I hadn’t shown her. I had clung to my freedom, because the rush of those meaningless flings and party nights had brightened the darkness that so often filled my insides. It hadn’t worked, not for long. Like a flash that broke through the night for only an instant, the thrill of my flings hadn’t banished that darkness for long. I bent over Gemma’s head, cupping her bloody cheek and kissed the tip of her nose. She was even still warm. She couldn’t have been dead for long and that realization made this even harder. If we’d been quicker, maybe we could have saved her. Regret over the past is wasted time—that was Nino’s credo. The fuck did he know? Stroking her blood-covered face, I leaned down to her ear. “I was an asshole. I’m so fucking sorry, Gem, so fucking sorry. I’ll miss you so fucking much, every annoying little thing. You are the only girl I ever truly wanted, and I fucked it up.”

I forgive u savio xxx

I swallowed past the lump in my throat. My fingers traced her throat, so soft. So fucking gorgeous even in death. I’d thought I’d have time, that we’d have time to be together, had taken it for granted. The speared watch on my forearm taunted me as I stroked Gemma’s skin. Outsmarting time, what a stupid thing to think. A gentle pulse throbbed against my fingertips. I jerked my head up, staring at Gemma. “What is it?” Remo asked immediately. Diego lifted his tear-stained face. I dug my fingertips into her throat. A pulse. A fucking pulse. For a moment, I didn’t dare believe it. “Remo,” I got out. He knelt beside me and shoved my hand aside, then he pressed his fingers against her pulse point. “Nino!” he roared. “What… what’s going on?” Diego whispered. Nino came in then rushed over to us and bent over Gemma, feeling her pulse. “She’s alive.” Diego sucked in a sharp breath. Relief washed over me.

led Gemma toward her nonna. She grasped my hand in a crushing grip as we stood over her nonna’s body. Someone had closed her eyes. Gemma twitched in my hold. Silent tears still rolled down her pale skin, caught on her full lips. She looked up. “My dad?” “Are you sure you want to see him?” She tried to shake me off but I tightened my hold. “All right. I’ll take you to him, but he’s been hit by more bullets than your nonna.” Gemma swallowed, resolved. We stepped through the swinging door into the restaurant. Daniele’s eyes were closed as well. Yet, he looked less peaceful than Gemma’s grandma. His expression was frozen with determination and his body littered with wounds. Gemma tore from my embrace and stumbled toward him. For a moment, she simply stared down at him, then she began to sob. Every single sob wracked her body, shook her shoulders. She sank to her knees beside her dad, pressing her palms against his chest as if she hoped for a heartbeat. “Fuck, Gem,” I said gently as I crouched beside her and touched her shoulder.

She shook her head. “Dad, please.” Slowly she pulled away, then looked at her palms now covered in his blood. Her clothes and hair were already soaked with her and the Russian’s blood. She began quivering, her wide-eyed gaze hitting me. “Savio…” “Shhh,” I crooned, touching her cheek. She threw herself against my chest, wrapping her arms tightly around my waist. I almost lost my balance, but then I tightened my hold on her. Her body vibrated with her crying. I hugged her and pressed my cheek against her hair. Maybe I should have said something, consoled her. Words never failed me, but now I couldn’t come up with a single thing to say. Nothing that wouldn’t sound empty or like a goddamn Hallmark card. For a long time, she only cried. Nino walked past us to let the arriving soldiers in. Soon the room was filled with our men, who kept their distance to Gemma and me.

Im crying too xx

“Does… does Mom know?” “Not yet.” “Oh God.” Gemma pressed a hand over her mouth, horrified. “What are we going to do now? Without Dad? How’s Mom going to pay the bills for Carlotta? How are we going to get by without Dad? Without the restaurants?”

THE DAD AND NONNA WONT BE AT HER WEDDINGG NOOOO

“What do you want in return?” “Fuck,” I breathed. “You think I’d want you to sleep with me, so I’ll help your family and baby sister?”

Yes. yes i do.

“You hurt me,” she breathed. “I won’t hurt you like that ever again.” It was a promise I’d do my fucking best to keep.

If u do im puling gemma out this book

“Kiss me. I want to feel something else than this pain.” She shuddered. “Please, Savio, make me forget.” Screw it. Who was I to deny her? Cupping her face, I kissed her lightly, fully determined to leave it at a chaste kiss, but Gemma’s scent and the warmth radiating from her was too much for my non-existent self-control. My tongue stroked along her lips, tasting the saltiness of tears, and something sweeter. Unable to resist, I parted her and dipped my tongue into her mouth.

NO WAIT TILL MARRIAGE GEM

“Kiss me. I want to feel something else than this pain.” She shuddered. “Please, Savio, make me forget.” Screw it. Who was I to deny her? Cupping her face, I kissed her lightly, fully determined to leave it at a chaste kiss, but Gemma’s scent and the warmth radiating from her was too much for my non-existent self-control. My tongue stroked along her lips, tasting the saltiness of tears, and something sweeter. Unable to resist, I parted her and dipped my tongue into her mouth.

GEMAMAAAAAAAA STOPPPPP

“Gem?” “No,” she said hoarsely. “I just realized that Dad can’t walk me down to the altar.” She started shaking and harsh sobs burst out of her. I rolled off her and pulled her in my arms, rubbing her back. She cried against my throat, big gasping wails that rocked through her body.

I feel so bad

“In my bed.” Kiara looked at my naked chest, worried. “Please tell me you didn’t sleep with her, Savio. She’s vulnerable after what happened today.” “Of course not.” I was starting to grow annoyed. “Where are my brothers?” “Gaming room.” I left her standing there and headed toward the common area. Like Kiara had said, I found Nino and Remo in the living area, probably going over counterstrikes. They looked my way. “How’s she?” Nino asked. “Good.” Remo raised an eyebrow. “Don’t tell me—” “No, I didn’t fuck her for God’s sake!”

“Where’s Gemma?” “In my room.” Without warning, Diego lunged at me, aiming a punch toward my face. I blocked him with my forearm and we both tumbled to the floor. Diego landed on top of me. I tried to shove him off and he punched my cheek. Growling, I bucked my hips, throwing him off and rammed my fists into his stomach, then another uppercut against his chin. We struggled, but eventually, I knelt over Diego and held him by the collar. He was panting. “What the fuck is wrong with you, man?” “You are such a bastard. I trusted you with my sister and you don’t hesitate to take her into your bed. She’s broken up over Nonna and Dad, and you use her.” “Fuck, why does everyone think I’m that much of an asshole?” I released him and staggered to my feet.

Bcos u are?

“Gem, say something.” His voice was rough, a purr deep in his chest that I could feel where our bodies touched. Even on my tiptoes I couldn’t reach his lips. “Savio,” I said softly. “Please.” I didn’t need to say what I wanted, he knew. “You’ll regret this.” “Maybe,” I said, but right this second, I needed this more than air. Finally, Savio let me pull him down and his lips pressed against mine.

THIS IS SO MESSED UP YOU'RE IN A CHURCH. AT YOUR DADS FUNERAL AND UR NONNA'S IDIOT

“We’re in church,” I whispered horrified over my own shamelessness. How could I have let this happen? Nonna and Dad would have been so ashamed of me. This was a day for grieving, not for this.

Their poor ghosts probs watched that

Fabiano shook his head, covered Aurora’s ear with his palm. “Aurora will be banned from visiting your mansion once she’s older.”

Auroraaaa You're Fabi's daughter!?!?!? WHAT

Luca Vitiello towered in the doorway with his stunning wife and even more stunning daughter. His son was already taller than his three years older sister. “How old is she?” Diego asked. “Twelve,” Fabiano said in warning. “And you better look at something else when they come over, or Luca’s going to cut you down.”

Yes diego LOOK. AWAY. AGE GAP. ITS GIVIN PEDO

Gemma’s hand was shaking against mine, beckoning to my protective side. I slid my thumb over her soft skin and was rewarded with a small smile. Leaning down, I whispered. “You look like a princess, Gem.”

Awwww

“That’s a lot of trouble for a piece of virgin ass,” Remo muttered. Gemma stiffened beside me. My hand around his tightened, my lips curling in anger. “Careful.” Remo’s mouth twitched into his twisted smile. “I see. Not just some hot ass after all.” He stepped back with that insufferable knowing expression and Serafina took his place. She smiled. “Congrats.” Then she hit my arm. “Don’t mess this up. I love her.”

Indignation flashed on her face, a flicker of childish poutiness. “Marcella Vitiello.”

THE BLACK SWAN AGHHH

Fuck, that truth hit me like a sledgehammer. Gemma huffed. “You’re already regretting this, aren’t you?” She tried to pull away, but I tightened my hold on her. “I’m not,” I said firmly. It was the truth.

Toni and Diego stepped out from behind a bush, looking ruffled. One of Toni’s spaghetti straps hung off her shoulder, her lipstick was gone, and her hairdo was ruined. Diego didn’t make a better sight with his wrongly buttoned shirt, open zipper and tousled hair. I grimaced.

Nope nope nope

I tried to sit up, but the dress prevented that. Sighing, I held out my hands. “Can you help me up?” “Only if you can help me get this down,” he said with a nod toward his crotch. “I could kick you between the legs…” Savio shook his head with a chuckle.

I reached out and touched her cheek. “How about you come closer?” Suspicion flickered across her face. I guessed I deserved that. “Only to cuddle.” “Cuddle?” she repeated with a small laugh, finally relaxing. “That’s what Greta calls it.”

“She is trustworthy, don’t worry. Gem has a heart of gold.” Repeating the words her mother had said to me, I knew they were true, which made me feel like an even bigger asshole because she deserved better than me. “Then what’s the problem?” I gave him an ironic smile. As if he didn’t know. “Me. The problem is me.”

“You threw someone through a window for talking to me, don’t you think that was bad enough?” “He survived, didn’t he?” She huffed.

His eyes softened. “I married you, Gem. That’s not a game, I fucking know that, okay? You make me laugh. You are the only girl who ever made me slack-jawed in the gym. You are the only girl I can watch cage fights with. You don’t screech or puke when you see blood. You are tough and soft, heaven and hell. You’re the full package. That’s why I wanted you.” My lips parted in surprise. “Only because I like to joke and play around doesn’t mean I don’t know what kind of responsibility I have now. I do know and it’s new for me. As new as all of this is for you. I’ve never had a relationship. I’m fucking winging it, and I’ll mess up over and over again, probably until we’re old and wrinkly, or Botoxed and face-lifted in our case.” I allowed him that joke because his words before had been more than I had expected from him at this point. Standing on my tiptoes, I kissed him.

Savio helped me put her in the seat then we headed back home. “You sure nobody will mind?” I whispered. He gave me a stern look. “Gem, you’re family, so your sister is family too. It’s fine.” God, I loved him. My heart thudded wildly as I considered telling him. Yet, knowing Savio’s reluctance to talk emotions, I swallowed the notion.

She threw her arms around me and kissed me. Unbuckling, I leaned over to deepen the kiss. I could spend hours kissing Gemma. A bang sounded, driving us apart. Nevio knelt on the hood of the car, pressed his face against the windshield, and hammered with his fists against the glass. I shoved the door open. “That’s it,” I growled. “I’ll dunk your head in the toilet, PIA!” Turning to Gemma, I said, “Help me catch the monster.” We both got out of the car. Nevio slid off the hood, giggling, and darted away.

BAHHHHA I LOVE NEVIO SM 😭

I put Greta down. She looked shy. “Come on, Greta. Show Gemma what you can do.” Greta got into that ballet position and did a small curtsy. Gemma pressed against me, kissing my cheek. “You are so cute with her.” Then she applauded. “I wish I could do ballet, but I’m too clumsy for it.”

I wanted the ground to swallow me. Shoving Savio, I muttered. “You’re impossible.” He chuckled, kissing my ear. “That’s what you love about me, admit it.” Done. The word was only a thought, yet I might as well have said it. I tensed and Savio, too. He pulled back, suddenly not playful. “While your awkward attempt at young love is a sickeningly entertaining sight to behold, you’re distracting Kiara from making me breakfast, so how about you get a fucking grip?” Remo said from his spot at the kitchen table. Nevio giggled. Serafina gave both her men a stern look, which had no effect.

Wrapping my arms around her from behind, I kissed her neck. “Don’t cry, Gem. I hate seeing your tears. They feel like a punch in my heart.”

Savio stood and slid the ring on my finger. Wrapping an arm around me, he pulled me against him. “I love you, Gemma Falcone.” I swallowed, trying to form words. Savio kissed my wet cheek. “Now you have to say I know.” I slapped his shoulder, laughing through my tears. He grinned, but a hint of vulnerability showed in his eyes. I grabbed his head and gave him a sloppy, wet kiss. “I love you so much.” Savio tightened his arms around me and lifted me off the step.

AWWWWWWWWWW