When She Falls (The Fallen, #3)(31)

But forcing that kiss on her was wrong.

My chest constricts at the memory of how disgusted she looked afterwards. What the fuck is wrong with me? I’ve never done that before to a woman. Never even thought to do it until I met Gemma, who I’m starting to realize has some kind of a unique ability to get under my skin.

The sound of her violent retching echoes through the door.

Cazzo. That sounds awful.

I get up and head downstairs to get the first aid kit from the kitchen. If the pills don’t help, I’m calling her a doctor. I’m not taking any chances with this. I know taking care of her now won’t redeem me in her eyes, but I’m not letting her suffer unnecessarily.

Pills in hand, I pop back into her bedroom. The tap runs in the bathroom while I send a quick message to Dem and Napoletano to let them know I left the party to take Gemma home because she isn’t feeling well. After a moment of deliberation, I decide not to mention just how sick she is. Dem and Vale deserve to enjoy their night. Plus, I’m taking care of the situation.

The door opens just as I press send.

Gemma shuffles out in a set of blue pajamas, and when she realizes I’m still here, her tired eyes narrow. “Ras, what are you doing? I told you to leave.”

Her skin has a gray undertone, and she’s keeping her palm pressed firmly against her abdomen. Something squeezes inside my chest. She looks miserable.

“I’m not leaving you while you’re in this state,” I say. “Here, take this.” I stand and give her the bottle of pills.

She snatches it out of my hand and sinks onto the bed, taking my earlier spot. “Will you leave if I take these?”

“Possibly. Here’s some water.”

I watch her pop two pink pills and follow them with a small gulp from the water bottle. She makes a grimace, her nose wrinkling adorably. “Even water tastes disgusting right now.”

“You must have picked up a bug somewhere.”

She hands the bottle back to me and stands back up with a groan. “I guess. I think it might have been some fish from earlier.”

“Sit back down. You’re practically swaying.”

Of course, she doesn’t listen to me. Instead, she walks around the bed as if to use it as a barrier between us.

Her stomach makes a loud gurgle. She winces and grabs one of the bedposts. “Honestly, why are you still here? Enjoying watching me suffer?”

Her words cut through me. “I’m really not.”

“Let me rest, please.”

“Lie down, and I’ll leave you.”

She shoots me a suspicious look. When I hold her gaze, something like fear flashes across her expression.

My stomach drops. She doesn’t trust me. Is that surprising after what I pulled?

“Gemma, the kiss was a mistake,” I say in a low voice. “I’m sorry.”

“You already apologized.”

“I promise I won’t do that again.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Do you really think I’m that much of a liar?”

Her eyes narrow. “Yes.”

“Why?” I ask, exasperated. I’ve never lied to her.

“Ras, I already asked you to leave. You can’t be in this room when my parents return, or I’ll be in deep shit. I don’t want to talk to you. I don’t want to see you. Thanks for bringing me here. Now, for the love of God, leave.”

Of course. She’s worried what it will look like if someone discovers me here with her. I’m a man who isn’t a blood relative. It’s bad enough we left the party alone. If I’m discovered in her room, her fuckface fiancé won’t be happy.

I feel a sudden irrational urge to put that bullet through his head after all. Thankfully, he and Nero are leaving at the crack of dawn.

“Do you want me to call Cleo?”

She shakes her head. “No. Let her enjoy herself. I’ll be fine.”

I take a step toward the door. “All right. I’ll be in the main house. Call using the landline if you need anything.”

“Goodbye.”

As soon as I shut the door, I let out a heavy breath and press my forehead against the wooden surface.

Well, that’s that.





The next morning, I get up before everyone else. And by get up, I mean I unfurl myself off the couch in Dem’s living room, wincing at the ache in the center of my spine.

I chose my spot with utmost precision. From here I could watch the guest house through the window. The Garzolos arrived about an hour after I left Gemma in the guesthouse, and it was only after I saw them enter through the front door that I finally allowed myself to get some sleep.

It’s a lot of effort for a woman who wants nothing to do with me, but something prevented me from just forgetting about her. Now, that same something sends me out the door to check on the situation in the guesthouse.

I make it as far as their entryway before I’m stopped by Stefano Garzolo. Good, I can ask him for a status update on Gemma’s condition.

“How’s—”

“Who gave you permission to take my daughter home last night?” he interrupts, his eyes flashing with anger.

“She was about to be sick all over the dance floor. Getting permission to do the obvious thing didn’t seem like a priority.”