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I make to stand because I want to punch Ricardo in the face but Luke clamps down on my shoulder and I have no choice but to stay in my seat.
I settle for crossing my arms and glaring at him out of my good eye.
“I know it was her!” DeLuca screams.
“How?” Ricardo counters.
“It doesn't matter how. But she will be taken care of.”
“Whoa, Babbo. Hold up. That's not going to happen. This is club business. I have a say in what happens to any and all employees. We made a deal.”
He mumbles something under his breath before saying, “Fine. But first, I want to know what my bambina wants. It is her birthday after all. How do you want me to handle this, Lucia
Ricardo rolls his eyes and I flip him the bird.
Wow, you really think you know someone. I can't believe I ever thought I could trust him.
As usual, Bruno is the only one in my corner protecting me.
“I want the bitch fired!” I yell. “She stole my beautiful jewelry.”
I almost choke getting those words out but whatever, fuck Ricardo.
“I already told you what I overheard her saying to her friend on the phone. She was trying to use you, mio amore. I had every right to kick her ass. Unlike some people...I protect what I love, always.”
For a moment, I swear I see Ricardo's jaw flex and his nostrils flare.
“Well, it's not her decision,” Ricardo says. “We need to vote on it. You, me, and Luke—seeing as he's the ring girl supervisor. Majority rules regarding Scarlet getting fired or not.”
“Fine,” DeLuca agrees. “I vote for her to be gone.”
Ricardo stares at me. “I vote for her to stay.”
It would hurt less if he kicked me in the heart.
Ricardo gestures to Luke. “What's your vote?”
I turn in my seat to face him. I never thought I'd be in the position to have to beg him to do something for me. “Please,” I whisper. “I want her gone.”
Luke gives me a smirk. “Okay. I'll do you a solid.” He looks at Ricardo. “Scarlet's fired.”
Ricardo makes a face. “This is bullshit.”
“Bullshit?” I scream. I'm about to remind him that the girl he's defending was only using him and that I pummeled the crap out of her for him, but DeLuca clears his throat. “Don't worry, Lucia
“No!” Ricardo yells. “The girl has suffered enough. She has a broken nose, 3 broken ribs, and a concussion.” He rubs the back of his neck. “Look, you know I really can't stand your girlfriend, Babbo.”
I open my mouth in shock. He's like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
I can't believe I ever thought we had some kind of co
I can't believe I thought I was falling for him.
I can't believe I almost slept with him the other morning.
Shit, he was probably turning the tables on me. Trying to seduce me to report back to DeLuca that I slept with him.
I'm so ashamed I was stupid enough to almost fall for it.
Ricardo runs a hand through his hair. “You asked me to be nicer to your girlfriend the other day, remember?”
“Yes,” DeLuca hisses.
Ricardo looks like he's swallowing a brick. “Well, I'll try and be nicer to her. I'll really make an effort. All I ask, is that you don't attack Scarlet.” He pinches the bridge of his nose. “She was only doing what tons of other girls before her have done. She's a gold-digger, you can't blame her for wanting to sink her hooks into you. I'm asking you as a personal favor to me, don't kill her. Just let it go.”
It's not so much that I mind Ricardo asking for her life to be spared, because although I hate the bitch, I don't think she should die.
Hell, I was pla
The thing that really hurts is the way Ricardo's defending her.
Like he's supposed to be defending me.
“Fine, son. But be nice to my Lucia
“Will do.”
That's when I spring up from my chair. “Don't do me any favors, asshole!”
“Calm down, Bambina,” DeLuca barks. “I'll see you both in a few weeks. Try and get along until then. Enjoy the rest of your birthday.”
My eyes become glassy and I stare at Ricardo. “Yeah, what a great birthday it's been.”
He sucks in a breath and looks like he wants to say something but I grab my purse and leave.