Russo: His Untold Story (Blacklisted #3) by Maria Delaurentis Page A

suck the fun out of it. But that was alright—I had no problem courting her. She didn’t know it yet but she was going to be mine again. I was going to make this girl my wife one day.
    "I know, but it's a step in the right direction.” After our successful breakfast date we parted ways. I headed to the restaurant and worked on ordering little things I knew I’d need. I was in regular contact with my realtor, and dutifully checked on the licenses though I knew it was too early for an answer. I took the time to reprint, laminate and binder my mother’s original recipes. I made four copies and placed them in the kitchen, knowing that I’d feel a little bit better having a piece of her here at all times.
    I had contractors come in and add a small stage to the front of the building, and called to have a baby grand delivered. I wanted to reunite with all of the things that made me who I was, and music was a big part of that. The contractors gave me a three day timeline and I paid everything up front.
    As it got late into the night I began to think about Gabriella more and more. I figured now that we were on normal speaking terms it was okay to text her so I sent over a quick casual message, wondering if she would reply.
    Thinking about you. How's work?
    It'd be a lot better if Mrs. Genovese wasn't here sinking her claws into me, metaphorically anyway. She had to be fucking kidding. This old bitch wasn’t going to learn the easy way. I had been so sure everything was being handled that I hadn’t even bothered to fucking check.
    She's there?! Oh fuck. Brie I'm sorry. I swear I'm taking care of this—things are just taking a little longer than expected. Just stay away from her.
    I can't—she requested me as her server.
    Please keep your phone on you, I'll meet you outside when you're done I don't want her surprising you. I didn’t trust that bitch around her for a minute and I’d be damned if I left Gabriella alone with her.
    I don't need you to do that.
    It wasn't a question, Gabriella. I'll see you in half an hour.
    I finished up a few things and turned everything off, locking the restaurant up behind me. Within twenty minutes I was hauling ass over to her restaurant, barely putting the SUV in park before I got out. My heart broke when I saw her sitting outside crying. Her body was contorted into a small ball, and I could hear the sobs clear as day. I ran up to her and wrapped my arms around her, holding her tightly.
    “Brie…what happened?”
    "She—she got me fired! She lied to my boss and told him that I was taunting her with my affair.”
    "Oh god. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Fuck. Things will get better—I swear.” Everything I fucking did was coming back ten-fold. I was ruining this girl’s life over and over without even fucking trying. I held her tighter, willing everything to just fucking stop.
    "Really? When's that gonna happen? Cause I'm pretty sure I've got my fair share of shit by now.” I could hear the anger in her voice, but she wasn’t mad at me. I could tell by the look in her eyes that her ill feelings were no longer directed towards me but towards the situation, and for that I was thankful. When she pressed her face into my chest it was all I could do not to cry along with her.
    “Please just take me home.” Your wish is my command. I silently got her to my SUV, and drove to her apartment without another word. When we arrived I pulled her out and wrapped my arm tightly around her form. She leaned on me, her body weak from the crying. When we got upstairs I pulled the key from her purse and got her inside. I went directly to that bathroom and began running a bath for her. I didn’t ask her anything, I didn’t wait for a response—I just took care of her the way I knew how to. I pulled each item of her clothing off slowly, my eyes never leaving her face. When I lowered her in I began to light the candles she had placed in the bathroom, then shut the light off and left her alone.
    I paced her