“Then why are you in here?” he asks sharply.
That’s a good point. Why am I here, ready to beg for his blessing?
Shrugging, I stand up and walk over to the door. “You’re right. I came in here because I wanted you to accept that I’m old enough to make my own decisions, but this whole conversation has made me realize you’re not capable of letting me do that. I’m going to New York, Dad. I hope one day you’ll be able to understand why.”
I walk out, my head held high. Closing the door behind me, I begin to doubt what I just did. It’s the first time I’ve really stood up to my father for something I believe in.
And while it feels good, I’m as scared as hell that I’ve just made the biggest mistake of my life.
Chapter 4
Pietro
I wince as I hear Lucy’s voice rise, followed by Giovanni’s. The yelling wasn’t a good sign. My fears are confirmed when I hear his door slam shut, followed by the front door. Glancing out the window, I see Lucy get into her car. The wheels screech as she speeds away.
“You heard all that¸ I take it?” I jump as Giovanni appears behind me. His expression is dark and I’m hesitant to get involved, but then I remember, I’m always involved.
“It could have gone better,” I admit.
“You know, I’m guessing?”
“She told me just before she told you.”
“And you think I should let her go?” he growls, scowling at me.
“I think you know the answer to that. If you try to hold on to her you’ll end up losing her.”
“Fuck,” he curses, slamming his fist against the wall. “I can’t look out for her over there, Pietro. At least here I can make sure she’s safe.”
I shrug. “It’s your call whether you support her on this, but I don’t think there’s much you can say that will stop her.”
He breathes out sharply. “You think she’ll go regardless of what I think.”
“She just told you she would.” I laugh. He scowls at me, which wipes the smirk off my face. “Look, I think she knows this opportunity is too good for her to pass up.”
“She’s a good girl. She wouldn’t go without my blessing. I don’t care what she says,” Giovanni mutters. But even he doesn’t look convinced.
“Even if that’s true, is that really what you want? Her hating you because you’re trying to stop her from growing up?” I try another approach. “You’ve seen her dance, Giovanni. Do you think she can make it?”
“Of course she can. She’s a Spontagio. She can do whatever she puts her mind to.”
“Not if you don’t let her,” I say, leaving it at that. I don’t want to push him too far. He just needs to think about it and he’ll realize that I’m right. “While I’m here…” I hesitate, questioning whether or not to bring up my family again.
“If this is about your parents, please, not now,” he mutters irritably. “I’m sorry, but it’s not a good time.”
I want to laugh.
When is it ever a good time?
“Fine.” I sigh. “I have some things to do. I’ll see you later.”
I walk out to my car, get in, and then sit there for a moment, before revving it to life. I’ve been putting off going home for days—mostly because of the mess I left it in, but now seems like as good a time as any to go. Maybe cleaning would take my mind off her.
I walk inside and toss my keys on the kitchen counter. Apart from the pile of dirty dishes in the sink, it’s not as bad as I remembered. I contemplate buying some new plates rather than dealing with the old ones. The only thing that stops me is the fact that I can’t be bothered going out again.
I spend the next ten minutes tidying up the kitchen and then run the vacuum over the floors. Standing back, I survey my work. Much better. Now it only looks half inhabitable.
Next I go through the pile of mail I brought inside with