Page 261 of The Italian Obsession

“Francesca has been here every day for weeks.”

“So? She’s studying.”

I watch Francesca’s car arrive and pull into the parking lot. She gets out of her car with her driver and walks up the front steps. “I smell a rat.”

“You’re being ridiculous.” He scoffs.

I smile and sit back in my seat. “We shall soon see, won’t we?”

________

Twenty minutes later, Francesca’s guard is sitting on the front steps of the library, having a cigarette. He did his job, went in, and searched the premises with her. I get out of the car and cross the street. He stumbles to his feet as he sees me. “Mr. Ferrara.” He throws his cigarette to the side. “I just checked on her.”

“It’s fine. Stay where you are. I’m just here to talk to her.” I brush past him and walk into the library to take a look around.

Where is she?

My eyes scan the room until finally I find her. She’s sitting in the back corner with a boy. I can’t see his face. He’s wearing a cap. I walk over behind a bookcase and watch them. For five minutes, they talk, and then eventually, he picks up her hand and kisses the back of it.

They’re obviously more than friends.

I clench my jaw. I knew it. I march over there at once, and they both look up.

My heart stops.

Giuliano.

What the…?

“What are you doing?” I growl. His eyes widen in horror.

“Enrico,” Francesca whispers in a panic. “We’re just talking.”

Before I can help myself, I grab him by the arm and I’m marching him toward the door. We burst out the front doors and I throw him across the garden. He rolls spectacularly across the lawn.

“Rico!” Francesca cries from behind me.

“She is underage,” I shout.

He scrambles to his feet and steps forward. “You can’t stop me seeing her.”

Lorenzo comes running across the street. “Rico. Rico, no!” he cries, waving his hands in the air. “Stop it. Stop it now.”

For the second time tonight, I lose control. I grab Giuliano by the throat. “She is too young for you.”

“Stop it!” Francesca cries. “I love him. Stop it, Rico. Don’t hurt him.”

I turn to her, my eyes wide. What the fuck?

He’s her brother.

Lorenzo’s horrified eyes meet mine and he shakes his head in disbelief.

I squeeze Giuliano’s throat so hard that his eyes nearly pop out of his skull.

“You go near her again and you will be dealing with me.” I throw him across the garden once more and he falls to the ground.

Francesca runs to him but I grab her arm and tear her from his side. She fights to try and get back to him. I drag her to the car and throw her inside, slamming the door shut behind me.