GIOVANNI’S POV
The laughter grated against my nerves like nails on a chalkboard. Franco's booming voice, the girls' high-pitched giggles, Salvatore's crude jokes, all of it pressed against my skull until I thought it might crack.
I couldn't take it anymore.
"Everyone out!" I stood abruptly, my chair scraping against the marble floor. "All of you. Get the f**k out now."
Silence fell like a hammer. The girls stared at me, wide-eyed, then scrambled toward the door when I took a step forward.
Within seconds, the room was empty except for Franco, Alessio, Salvatore, Enzo, and me.
I was breathing hard, my hands clenched into fists at my sides.
Franco leaned back in his chair, cigar smoke curling around his face. "Feel better?"
"No." I grabbed the whiskey bottle and poured myself another
