Twisted Hearts (The Camorra Chronicles 5)

I gritted my teeth, trying to stop myself from lashing out.

He sat on the edge of my table as if it was his throne and we his subjects. By now almost everyone had turned toward us, listening in. Across the room, I could see Noemi practically glowing with amusement. So that’s how it was going to be? She was going to sick her lapdog on me? The cow was too scared to face me.

“I hear the brothers share their women. But Remo Falcone always calls dibs first. Because he’s Capo, he’s going to fuck you first. Do you think Savio will watch when his brother will pop your cherry? Maybe they’ll both fuck you. Ever heard of a sandwich? One up your pussy, one up your ass.”

I jerked to my feet. My chair tumbled over and crashed to the ground. Before I could consider the consequences of my actions, I swung my arm back and smashed my fist straight into Will’s face. He fell backward from the table and curled up on the floor, holding his bleeding face. I was fairly sure I had broken his nose. He began sobbing, rocking back and forth.

Toni grabbed my arm as if she thought I’d attack him again. “Gemma, what have you done?”

My eyes followed her line of sight toward three teachers heading our way.

I took a step back when two teachers crouched beside Will. He was crying as if someone had cut his arm off. Diego hadn’t shed a single tear when he’d had bullet and knife wounds. Normal guys were such wusses.

“Gemma, in the principal’s office right this second,” Mrs. Montgomery said.

Noemi, who had finally dared to approach, now that enough teachers were around to protect her, gave me a triumphant smile.

Sending her a last glare, I headed out of the cafeteria. Toni was hot on my heels. “Will’s such an asshat. That right of the first night is an urban myth. The Falcones don’t do that.” She paused. “Right?”

I sent her a disbelieving look. But I wasn’t really in the mood to talk. My knuckles hurt like hell from the punch. Usually I only fought with bandaged hands or boxing gloves.

We arrived at the secretary’s desk. She motioned for me to take a seat on one of the chairs.

“Antonia, you have to wait outside,” she then said. Toni gave me an encouraging smile before she left.

The door to the principal’s office swung open and he motioned for me to come in. I strode inside and sank down, knowing what was coming. I’d probably be banned from school for a few days. “You know we have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to violence, and what you displayed today was an intolerable act of brutality toward one of your fellow students. You realize that Will’s parents will ask me to remove you from this school.”

My eyes widened. “Forever?”

He gave a stern nod. “This is no small transgression.”

I blinked, stunned. Dad would be furious, and Mom would cry fat ugly tears as if I’d personally stabbed her in the heart. “But… things like this have happened before.” This was a school filled with kids from Made Men, or kids who were in the process of becoming Made Men. Violence did happen. Of course, I was a girl and my family wasn’t one of the leading families of the Camorra. Only mere soldiers. And Will’s parents owned several hotels and had an assload of money and influence. They sponsored many school events.

“I already called home. I left a message for your parents because I couldn’t reach them and also a voicemail on your brother’s phone.”

Oh great. Diego would be delighted. “Will insulted me.”

“What did he say?”

I frowned. My engagement wasn’t public yet, so I wasn’t sure how much to say. “He called me names.” I couldn’t even say the word ‘whore’. It was the worst insult anyone could throw at a girl in my circles.

The principal frowned. “If you can’t be more concrete, I can’t help you, and even if Will insulted you, that’s no excuse to punch him. From what I hear, you broke his nose, Gemma. His parents might press charges against you.”

I sunk deeper into the chair. A Made Man would die before he admitted that a girl had beaten him up. But Will would probably tell it to anyone who wanted to hear it.

“I need to have a word with Will in the infirmary now.”

Will definitely wouldn’t say anything in my favor. I walked back out and took a seat on one of the chairs across from the secretary’s desk. I wanted to scream in frustration.

I wasn’t sure how much time passed but suddenly Diego appeared beside me, looking like he was close to exploding. The secretary looked up. “Name.”

Diego glared at me, then at her. “Bazzoli. I’m here to pick up my sister.”