Ruins Of Roses BOOK 2 (Rebuilding Ruins Series)

41. I DON'T WANT THE MONEY

FRANKIE

After a steamy hot shower the next day I decide to show Angel another Island, a public Island to be exact. We sail to the Island of Ischia and just like I thought she loves it. She's all doe eyed taking in everything as we stroll the picturesque coastal towns hand in hand. I take lots of pictures of her and our surroundings so she can remember this. To the outside world we look like a couple in love and though the love is one sided I don't mind the inaccurate assumptions.

Angel is a cutie no doubt about that. I see younger guys checking her out and I have to keep from punching someone. They are probably drawn by the innocence in her eyes which is such a turn on. If only I'd met her before the mother of my kids maybe things might have worked out but I'm damaged goods now. What I got just won't be enough even for her. Soon she'll see my flaws and would thank God this marriage is only temporary.

"Don't you just want to move here?" she smiles up at me as we walk through one of the oldest villages in the Island.

"Nope. I like it better where I live"

"You seem like you've been here before" she pushes her sunglasses over her head.

"I have. My grandfather used to take us with him on his business trips"

My grandfather would come to places like this to do business. He owned an underground w***e inn here where lying cheating married men would go do dirty things with random women with no worries of getting caught. When he felt like me and my cousins were ready for s*x he'd bring us here. I learnt a lot from the women there not that I'd tell anyone that.

"You spent a lot of time with your grandfather growing up" she asks as we enjoy a variety of seafood dishes over lunch.

"I did. He liked having me and my cousins over quite a lot. According to him he wanted to teach us to be men" I smile at the thought.

"You two were close?"

"I was sort of a mama's boy growing up. He liked my brother more" I take a sip of my champagne.

My brother was the intelligent brother and I was more into sports. I wasn't much use in the family business unlike my brother. My grandfather wanted Lorenzo in the law field so he could help free his colleagues when they got in trouble and my brother didn't disappoint even though my grandfather had long died by the time Lorenzo graduated.

"You were a mama's boy" she laughs.

"I'm not proud of it but yeah" I feel my ears turning red.

My mother and I were close when I was growing up. It irritated my dad that he had to sign me up for a private Martial Arts class just to get some alone time with her. That was before he turned into a drunk. My father was a different man when we I was a young boy. He was just like any other dad out there providing for his family and just being a loving father. He took me and my brother to the best schools in Italy.

Though he was a bit too controlling we had all that money could buy and lacked nothing but things got bad when he opted out of the family business. My grandfather cut off his credit cards and let him fend for himself. My father was trained to run the family business at an early age and that was all he knew. He depended a lot on my grandfather's connections and he didn't know what to do with himself without his father's help and he became bitter and we had to suffer the consequences.

"I can tell your mom has a soft spot for you" Angel tangles her legs with mine under the table.

"I guess" I shrug.

Angel's been a lot happier and loving since my confession yesterday. I felt bad that she was crying because she felt like I was only using her for s*x. I had no choice but to let her know she's special to me though I regretted it afterwards but it needed to be done. Now she's looking at me like I'm some superhero or something and I haven't done anything to deserve it. I guess it won't be so bad coming home to a home cooked meal and to a woman that loves me. The least I can do is treat her good. I promised to make our marriage bearable and I'm trying my best to keep my side of the deal.

"You should be nicer to her. She's really sweet"

"Is it because she likes you that you're team Melanie?" I raise a brow.

"She's your mother and she likes me. Of course I'd be her cheerleader" she giggles.

"Still on the mom subject your mother was acting weird at the wedding" I smirk.

She groans "Don't remind me. Apparently she likes you now because she thinks I married another rich guy"

"She must have figured out my family has money. I bet she probably thinks I have access to their money or something"

"Don't mind her. The addiction is kind of driving her to be this person but when I get money I'll check her into a rehab center cause I miss the old her" she looks down sadly.

"You had money before...you could have taken her back then"

"It wasn't my money" she glares at me.

"Same thing" I tease.

"It was Carl's money not mine"

"Didn't he give you half his money after the divorce?" I raise a brow.

"No" she mumbles.

"What do you mean no?"

Ignoring my question she says "Anyways I checked my mom into rehabs back then like multiple times but she'd check herself out when the detoxing became too much for her"

"It's common for addicts"

"Yeah. I hope she stays there this time to save her relationship with Wyatt" she puts her hand under her chin.

"Thing is she's got to want this for herself because if she doesn't then it'll be easy to go back to her old ways"

"I wish things didn't have to be this complicated" she sighs worriedly.

"Don't stress about it" I squeeze her hand.

It feels weird caring for someone other than my family but if I'm claiming to be her best friend then I should act like it. Being nice to her has gotten easier since becoming intimate. I thought I was about to lose my mind when she told me she wanted to cut the intimacy from our arrangement. I just can't see myself married to her without the intimacy. I'm addicted to her. I had to tell her all the sweet nothings otherwise I'd have been forced to go back to my life of entertaining different women each night and it would have caused more problems in this marriage and I'm not trying to deal with marital issues especially when I only have three months with her.

***

As we sail back Angel is all smiles with her arms around my waist. I had opened up to her more the past few of days than I had the months I've known her. Maybe it was the fact that we were in isolation but I have to admit I enjoyed spending time with her. I have to find a way to keep from falling for her without pushing her away. If I'm being honest with myself I like having someone to cuddle up with each night. Maybe a little too much.

Though I'm doing my best to act normal things had slightly shifted between us since my confession to her yesterday. I could feel myself sinking deeper into this thing we have going on and it is making me want to pull away from her every time she touches me but I can't bring myself to do it. I want more of her. She said she liked the the sweet side of me yesterday which came naturally after spending time with her with no interruptions.

When we get to the villa we get off the helicopter and as we walk to the entrance Angel looks up at me and smiles. She pulls me in for a passionate kiss which I gladly return. We stop walking and make out. I scoop her in my arms and she wraps her arms around my neck resting her head on my shoulder and I carry her to the entrance. I can tell she misses me cause I haven't touched her since she confessed that she feels used yesterday. It took all of me not to take her when I saw her in that sexy dress when she came out for dinner last night.

I want her now like I've never wanted her before. It's a good thing she will be moving in with me when we get back home because she might start thinking I'm clingy when I start spending more time with her. I hear some of my family members singing out of tune as somebody plays the piano and guitar in the living room. I take Angel to my room where I have kinky s*x with her. At first she's shocked but I can tell she likes the change.

When she falls asleep I untangle myself careful not to wake her. If I was to move on with another woman it will have to be with her. She's everything I want in a woman. She's proven her loyalty to me. I mean she was willing to suffer the consequences of paying back a million dollars when I told her to go tell my uncle she didn't want to get married anymore. If only I wasn't still holding onto past love.

I put on my clothes and walk back downstairs where I find everyone present having a glass of wine.

"Hello son. Welcome back" my dad hugs me.

I just stand there unresponsive. This guy confuses me. He was insulting me on my wedding day just the other day now he's acting like we're cool as if he's running for the Father Of The Year Award or something.

"When did you two love birds get back?" my Nonna beams.

"Not too long ago" I go kiss her on the cheek.

"Where is your wife? I hope you did not drown her and bury her under the sand while out there" uncle Leonardo drinks from his glass a smirk playing on his lips.

He's sitting in front of the grand piano while my father has a guitar in his hand with Bella and Skylar standing next to the piano. I guess they were the ones doing a horrible job singing. What they were doing can't be described as singing. Maybe squeaking yeah that's what it was.

"Why would I murder my wife?" I roll my eyes.

"I bet he was enjoying her too much" my dad says in amusement.

"Love" Issabella sighs dramatically.

"Really Bella" I glare at her.

"You know what I mean" she fake laughs.

"I asked you a question young man" uncle Leonardo repeats.

"No uncle Leonardo I did not murder my wife. She's in my room sleeping. She had a long day" I say through clenched teeth. He just has to start this s**t.

"She must be tired with all the love making you two made since you left" aunt Francesca smiles and I feel the need to roll my eyes.

"Am I going to be a great-grandmother again soon?" my Nonna smiles hopefully.

"Can you guys not talk about Frankie and Angel making love. That is a picture I don't want to have playing in my head ever" Isabella makes a distasteful face.

"Don't think I don't see you and that boy stealing flirty glances at each other. I know he's in your room every time he comes here" my Nonna looks between my cousin Isabella and Luca the man my uncle raised as his own whose standing next to Mateo.

"Wait a minute. Madre did you just say my son is sleeping with his cousin?" my uncle asks disapproval in his face.

"Let's not forget he's your adopted son" Bella mumbles.

"Don't cause any drama Leonardo. You knew Luca had a crush on her since he layed his eyes on Isabella all those years ago"

"Well I told him to look at her as his family. I thought he would do what I told him to do" uncle Leonardo gets on his feet and Luca pales.

He knows what my uncle is like. He's part of this family's illegal businesses and has seen what he's capable of. I mean if my uncle can threaten to shoot me his blood for displeasing him he won't be any different with Luca.

"Luca is part of this family but he's not blood related to us. Let them be if they want to be together" aunt Francesca cuts in.

Boy am I glad the attention is directed at somebody else for a change.

"I'll deal with you later" uncle Leonardo says to Luca who is now white as a sheet in the face.

"Sante" I motion for the exit and he follows me outside.

"Hey bro. Miss me" I pats my shoulder but I push his hand off me.

"Why did you think it's okay to set me up the way you did" I fix him with a stern look.

"Bro I don't know what you're talking about" he shoves his hands in his pockets his lips twitching.

This guy is trying my patience.

"I'm talking about you flirting with Angel Rose and the fact that I'm a married man because of that. You understand how messed up that is"

"Look man I was sick of seeing you drink your life away. It was time to get your act together" his face turns serious.

"Why do you care anyways" I clench my fists.

My cousin Alfonso and Mateo exit the house but I ignore them.

"Because we are family Frankie. I couldn't continue watching you throw your life down the drain. You need a woman like Angel. I mean it's obvious you care for her" Sante throws his hands in the air.

"You know nothing about what I care about"

"I know you didn't bother dating anybody till she came along. She must have done something right to spark such change in you"

"Sante that's enough" Mateo cuts in.

"It doesn't matter. I'm getting a divorce in three months" I say matter of factly.

"You know dad would never let that happen" the side of Sante's mouth lifts.

"Let him do his worst" I clench my teeth.

"Open up to her Frankie. I know she'll make you happy. You're becoming a better man since the last time I saw you"

"What are you talking about" I frown.

"The old Frankie was a zombie. He'd have never let the woman he likes come here with him business or not"

"That's a bunch of bull" I scowl.

"I'm serious man. She's changing you and I like it. Don't toss her aside like the others"

I'm dying to punch him right now so he better watch what he says. Just then the door opens and uncle Leonardo exits.

He points in my chest "You. Follow me" he heads back inside.

"This is not over" I glare at Sante.

"Oh but it is bro" he smirks.

I follow my uncle to his office and close the door behind me. He goes to sit behind his desk and I go sit opposite him.

"Pour your uncle something to drink" he commands.

I sit there staring at him. Why didn't he say so before I took a seat. Oh right, he wants to be the bossy.

I get on my feet and pour him that drink. I'm tempted to spit in his drink but I'm not going to risk going back home with a bullet wound in my body so I'll pass. I pick the drink and walk to him and hand it to him then walk back to my seat.

"How was the low budget honeymoon?" the side of his lip lifts.

"It was amazing. Thanks for asking" I sarcastically say.

Yes the yacht and the beach house belong to the family but he had to pay people to take us there out of his pocket. Oh and while we were there we ate the best of everything. Nothing about the past few days sounds low budget to me .

"Mateo said you are all heading back tomorrow" he opens the drawer next to him and takes out a cheque book.

"I can't wait" I say jovially just to irritate him.

"Don't think because you are miles away I won't know what you get up to" he glances at me as he writes in the cheque book.

"What are you going to send your goons to spy on me or something"

"Let me worry about that. This is what you're going to do when you return to your day to day life. You are going to move in with your wife and this is going to help you start your life with her" he tears off the piece of paper from the cheque book.

"I don't need your money"

"Mateo told me that you wanted to start your own business and I'm assuming all this sudden need to better your life has everything to do with that beautiful angel you married" he gives me a sick smile.

I should have known Mateo was going to tell on me. But then again my uncle can force information out of anyone if he wants to.

"I will get a loan from the bank"

"What if that business of yours fails? How will you pay back the money when you earn peanuts?" he raises him eyebrow.

"I'll figure it out"

"Don't be stupid. This is money your grandfather left you but the family thought it was best not to give it to you because we knew you would spend it recklessly. Besides your high maintenance ex would have asked for a divorce the minute she saw the amount on that check and walked away with half" he slides the cheque over the table to me.

"And you are just giving me the money now. I could have gone to college and made something of my life. Natalya would have stayed with me because we'd have been on the same level. If it wasn't for you and this family I would still be married to the love of my life and we'd still be living under the same roof with our kids as a family. This is unfucken believe" I run my hand through my hair in frustration.

"I seem to recall you getting a small potion of this money. What did you do with it again"

"That is not your business. You should have given me all of it"

The will said I'll only get the money when I got married and when I married Natalya I was given 100K. I rented a nice apartment for my wife and kids and it didn't come cheap. I bought all of Natalya's heart's desires, she wanted it I bought it for her.

"You were young and stupid and you would have spent it all on useless things as you've done in the past now take the money and stop whining"

"Does Nonna know? And my father?" I question.

"Of course they know"

"Can't believe you were all in on this" I slam my hand on the table and stand.

"You need to calm down boy. You can't blame the family for your wife leaving you. You ruined your marriage all on your own but you are going to make things work between you and Angel Rose. Remember there's no getting out of this. If you throw her out or try to get a divorce it will be your miserable life down the drain. I will ruin your already ruined life till you are homeless and have nothing to eat. I'm sick and tired of seeing Mama worried about you and your father and since I can't threaten your father with anything I'm going to give her one less thing to worry about which is helping you fix your life"

"I can fix my life all on my own. I don't need you or a wife to do that" I clench my fists till I feel my nails digging into my palms.

"I decide what you need or don't need. I know you don't see it now but you do need Angel. I know I may seem heartless-" he starts to say but I cut him off.

"-you are heartless"

"I know I might seem heartless but I have your best interests at heart. Some day you will thank me for this. I'll see you in the morning" he dismisses me.

Feeling overwhelmed I storm out the room leaving the cheque behind. I hear my uncle calling me to come back and get the damn cheque but I ignore him. He and the rest of the this family can go to hell for all I care. I can't believe they all planned this and I didn't know about it. Maybe if the family had given me the money back then I could have gone to college and studied and gotten myself a better job not these dead end jobs I've been doing since highschool.

All the things that lead to my marriage falling apart was because I felt less of a man whenever my ex wife came home with more money than I did. I make my way to the living room where I find everybody still present and I grab the bottle of wine and exit the room without saying a word to anyone and make my way to the exit. I can't even look at them right now. Outside I walk towards the lake pouring the wine in my mouth like it's water.

"Frankie" I hear a familiar voice call but I ignore it.

I'm not in the mood for a chat right now. I continue walking till I reach the side of the lake and flop on the grass. When the wine bottle is empty I throw on the side and take out a pack of cigarettes and take out one. I put it in my mouth and light it up and drag from it. Something tells me the money my uncle used to pay for the wedding and to pay the people that will help make Angel's career successful came from my inheritance money hence the reason why my uncle wanted me married to Angel.

"Are you alright?" Mateo comes to stand next to me.

"Why do you care" I snap.

"I don't know maybe because we are family. You want to talk about what's bothering you?"

"No"

"You know you can talk to me if something is bothering you right?"

"Oh you want to hear about how your dad and the rest of this family ruined my only chance at happiness. Guess what, grandpa left me some money and while everyone got their share of the inheritance your father, my dad, Nonna and God knows who else decided to keep my share instead of giving it to me so I can study further but today they want me to have it. They can shove the money up their assess. Why was I born in this f****d up family" I get on my feet and pick the bottle of wine I disposed earlier and throw it into the water with all my might hoping it eases this pain I'm feeling right now.

"I've asked myself the same damn question since I can remember. I'm glad we're leaving tomorrow"