•KINLEY•When I opened my eyes it took me a moment to remember what had happened.I sat up, ready to start screaming again, despite my raging headache.But I didn't need to. Gianni was sitting on a chair near the door.I noticed he was still in the same clothes as the night before."You locked me in here. Who the hell do you think you are to do this to me again?"He looked over at me with an unreadable expression on his face, "You were drunk and acting irrationally.""Why? Because I refused to allow you ownership over me? Or because I asked for a divorce?"The moment I said it I saw the anger flash across his face."We are not getting divorced."I scoffed, "And once again, you think you have the right to tell me what to do," I got out of bed, "Gianni, listen to me. I don't want to do this anymore. You don't own me. You have no right to lock me up and keep me captive every time you don't get your way." Even though I loved him dearly, I knew that this was a toxic situation between us an
•KINLEY•Gianni walked into the bedroom, closing the door behind him.I was curled up against the headboard, watching him as he walked around the room as if everything was fine.Earlier in the day he sent someone in to clean up the mess he had made while he had been throwing a tantrum."Did you eat?" He asked me."No.""Why not? I sent food up for you."I pulled my knees up to my chest, "I know. But I've lost my appetite, what with being locked up again."He paused at the closet, turning to look at me, "Kinley, you say it as if I'm some kind of monster. I'm not. I love you. I'm just doing this so you have time to calm down and think about things. I'm doing this so we can be together."I raised my brows, "Really? Because all you're doing is making me want to get further away from you."He sighed and walked over to sit on the edge of the bed, keeping distance between us, "I can't let you leave. Do you understand that?""I don't. I've never felt the need to force someone to love me." The
•GIANNI•Seven days.That is how many days had passed since Kinley had left me.I found I was fine during the times I kept myself busy running around to handle shipments. I found that it helped when I got back into the swing of things and began handling more of the business.Especially when it came to making statements.When I was threatening and hurting someone, I felt better for a little while longer.But when I got home it was the worst. When I sat down to eat dinner and she wasn't there with me, it was a harsh reminder.When I got into bed and it was empty, my heart was shattered. When I woke up and I didn't see her sleeping beside me, it felt as if a knife had been lodged into my heart.I kept asking myself 'why?', why couldn't she just stay? Why did she do the very thing she promised me she would never do?I was out of it the majority of the time., but it still didn't help take away any of the pain.Sure, it numbed it. But it was still there. Consuming me like a black cloud."Gi
•GIANNI•I was pacing the outside porch while Barney and Luca watched me with concern.Of course, while trying to find Kinley I spoke to my contacts at the airports. So I found out she had left to go to Bali.Now I was trying to formulate my plan.Both Barney and Luca thought it was a bad idea to go to her."So am I expected to sit here and do nothing? What if she ends up in danger?"Luca sighed, "Gianni. You need to calm down. She has chosen to do this for a reason. I know it's hard but you need to take a step back instead of acting like an obsessed stalker.""Obsessed stalker? This is my wife we are speaking about, Luca! My wife!""I can go up and check on her. Pretend that you and I had a falling out again?' Barney suggested."No." I didn't trust Barney."He might be on to something, Boss," Luca spoke, "Think about it. She doesn't want anything to do with me because she knows I will be reporting back to you. Barney might be a good idea."I shook my head, "No. I will give it another
•KINLEY•A week had gone by since I arrived in Bali and Billie called to let me know she would be arriving.Matius had been showing me around often, and we would meet for coffee from time to time.I called him to let him know he should join us when Billie arrived.I was sure the two of them would hit it off well.I was still hurting every time I thought about Gianni, but my therapist assured me that this was completely normal. Gianni had texted me a few times since our phone call, but I was doing better at no contact now.I would find things to distract myself with.It wasn't the healthiest of ways to deal with things, but it would just have to do for now.I couldn't do it any other way.I got dressed and ready for the day before heading out to meet Billie at the airport.It was while I was waiting for Billie that I saw a picture of me in one of the tabloids.I couldn't understand the language so I hunted the stall until I found one in English."Fuck." Gianni was bound to be pissed wh
•KINLEY•I attempted to hide the fact that was feeling like a truck had hit me and dumped a tonne of grief over me.But, apparently, I was doing a terrible job at it.That night while we were visiting a local club, Billie pulled me aside."Okay, what's going on? You seem miserable. You were totally fine earlier."I handed her my phone so she could read the text from Gianni.I didn't want to speak it out and risk the tears again.She frowned at the phone before looking up to frown at me, "What? This makes no sense. He was fighting to stay with you, and now suddenly he wants to divorce you?"I shrugged, "I don't understand it either. But, I am just going to take it a day at a time now. I like to believe that everything happens for a reason.""Speak to him! What is wrong with the two of you? Communication, remember?""Billie, can we please just drop it? I'm trying to have a good time tonight, and forget that Gianni even exists.""Fine. But tomorrow you are calling him.""I'll speak to my
•KINLEY• I walked down the street in Italy, shopping bag over my shoulder, sunglasses on my face. It had taken me a long time to feel normal. It had taken me an even longer time to feel happiness after Gianni. But I was finally there. I had finally reached a point in my life where I wouldn't think about him and our failed marriage every day. I knew he had looked for me for the first few months after I left Bali, but I assumed that was because he wanted me to sign the divorce papers. Instead of being mature about it and calling him, I didn't. I hid away until I was able to pretend my life with Gianni never happened. I smiled as I watched a family with a little boy. Seeing children always brought back a bit of a painful pang. I would wonder over what could have been. I shook my head to get the thoughts out of my mind and continued with my walk. Although I kept in contact with Billie and Matius via social media, I had never told them where I was. But now, after so long I deci
•KINLEY•I remained silent about my run-in with Luca on the drive back to the cottage.After we had dinner I decided to breach the subject."Billie, have you spoken to Gianni at all?""Yeah. I spoke to him yesterday.""Well, I saw Luca here. Did you tell them I was here?""No, you asked me not to. Luca is here on holiday with his wife, you have nothing to worry about," she placed her glass of wine down, "But, I do think you need to be fair and sign the divorce papers. It's not right to do things this way."I knew she was right, but I was being a coward, I didn't want to have to speak to him."Could you get them for me?" I asked.She glanced at Matius before nodding. I could tell that a silent conversation had passed between the two in that look. I knew it had something to do with Gianni."What are the two of you not telling me?"Billie sighed heavily and I knew this was about to be something I wouldn't like."Um, there's a bit of a fight going on between Gianni and an Irish mafia fami