War for Love: A New Battle Rages

CH 16: Elena

**Gia's POV**

I feel like I'm a kid again. My cousin waltzing around my home, making herself far too comfortable. Inserting herself in every conversation and every situation. There hasn't been a moment where Jeremiah and I could spend time alone just being together. She has to be right there talking or making everything about her. The clothing she wears around is best described as skimpy. I am seriously starting to think that she has histrionic personality disorder. Or she just craves all the attention because that is how my aunt and uncle allowed her to act. A complete bitchy brat.

"Gia, remember when we were thirteen, and you had the biggest crush on Bernardo across the street, but he was more into me?" She laughed at the dinner table.

It was supposed to be dinner for two, but she had the staff set another setting for herself, right on the other side of Jeremiah. Her obnoxious laugh was irritating Jeremiah, but I begged him not to make waves. She is very theatrical and will make any small confrontation seem like she was mistreated and will cause further problems in the family. I have tried my best to get her to leave, even going as far as calling my father, but it has been almost two weeks, and she is not showing any signs that she will be leaving. I am supposed to start touring the art programs at some of the institutes in New York, but I fear starting class while she is here will further complicate things.

"You were always crushing on the boys that had their eyes on me." She giggled around another bite of food. I had lost my appetite long ago, and just pushed the food around the plate.

"Probably looking at you wondering when you would shut the f**k up." Jeremiah mumbled too low for her to hear, but I did and snickered silently, then tried to cover it with a cough. "So, Elena," Jeremiah wiped the corners of his mouth and turned his body to face her. "When is your return trip to Italy? I ask because Gia and I were talking about visiting her family soon before she starts school, so it would be great for all of us to fly together. I can let my pilot know to be ready as early as the day after tomorrow."

"Oh?" Elena took a sip of her wine. "Well, I was actually talking to the family, and they thought it would be a good idea for Elena and I to attend college together." She smirked at me.

"Wait, what?!" My anger was boiling over at this point, and I don't think I could resist wrapping my hands around her f*****g neck. "You have never wanted to go to college. You only have a diploma because you were sleeping with the tutor! You don't want to go to college, you just want to stay here and try to take everything away from me because you're jealous my life turned out better than yours." I shouldn't have said that out loud, and by the crocodile tears in her eyes, I knew I would get a call from my uncle or my father soon enough. I sighed and softened my voice. "I just mean... why do you want to go to college all of a sudden? You never expressed an interest before."

Elena wiped her mouth, and stood up from the table slowly. "I think I will head to bed. Jeremiah, I think it would be a great idea to book that flight, but sooner would be great. Thank you."

"Elena, I'm sorry. Can we just talk about this." I tried to reason with her, but she pulled away.

"Good night, Gia." And she was gone.

I slouched back in my chair, knowing that the visit to Italy would be torturous. If I know Elena as well as I think I do, she will wait until we all get to Italy before she tells her family everything. The maximum theatrical performance including tears, and feelings of being unloved and unwelcome. Even though I know I should put my foot down, I just didn't want to cause any issues between the family that might spill over to Jeremiah and his family or businesses. After so long, there is peace among the Italian families, and I didn't want to be the one to stir s**t up.

"Come to bed, baby." Jeremiah reached for me, and I willingly went into his arms. "No matter what happens next, you're my wife and my priority will always be you." He bent down and kissed the curve of my neck, whispering in my ear. "I'll make you feel so much better in bed."

It was hard to be in a sour mood when Jeremiah's hands and lips were on me. He is sinfully delicious, and far too good in bed for any sane person. The way his body moves, the things his tongue can do. I am still trying to figure out how he could be just a man. From the moment our bedroom door closed behind us, he was surrounding me, cocooning me in pleasure and love. He was always touching me, always kissing me. Telling me the sweetest things. Telling me the nastiest things that made me blush, but made my p***y weep for him. How the hell will I ever not be obsessed with my husband?

The next morning, our flight was booked, and we would be heading to Italy soon. Jeremiah and I never discussed going to see my family before I started school, but I knew it was just a cover for getting her out of here already. I hardly saw any of his family because I could tell Elena was too much for them. They would shoot her if they stayed around, and I honestly wouldn't have minded. Elena had the staff pack her things quickly, and she was waiting in the kitchen, sipping coffee with a blank expression on her face. Most likely planning her performance.

I tried to talk to her, even make polite conversation, but she just stared out of the window ignoring me. The ride to the private airstrip was no better, and I could tell it would be a long, exhausting flight. I couldn't even enjoy how Jeremiah was being so sweet to me because I was dwelling on what was going to come. I could tell he was in a better mood, ready to be rid of our unwanted house guest, but he was more confident than me. I was weak when it came to my family. I was raised to always obey them and never be disrespectful. Even though I know Jeremiah is the only family I need now, I can't imagine not having the approval of the family I came from.

Eight hours later, and the pilot was announcing our decent. My nerves were now taking over my heart, making me dizzy and nauseous. Jeremiah reassured me again, but I could see the slight smile on Elena's face. She was really about to make my life a living hell. All because I called her out on her bullshit. Why couldn't I just bite my tongue? There were probably a hundred different better ways I could have gotten her to go home. But I honestly believe she was there for one reason only. To ruin any happiness I had. She may have succeeded.

The drive to my family's estate seemed to go by too quickly. I was trying to figure out what I would say, how I would apologize. What could I do to make it better? No matter what my mind came up with it would never be enough. Throughout our childhood and teenage years, Elena's theatrics were just too good. I know my father could see through it, but it didn't matter. His brother was ruthless when it came to his little princess, and my father never fought with his brother. I was doomed.

Outside the SUV window, I saw both my family and Elena's family waiting on the steps with happy and excited faces. I knew Elena would wait for maximum damage. As soon as the vehicle was parked, she wasted no time in jumping out and running into her father's arms with tears. I couldn't hear what she mumbled in his chest, but by the look of hate in his eyes targeting me, I knew it wasn't good. Probably wasn't true, or maybe it was because I did say some nasty things to her. It didn't matter if they were true.

My uncle stormed towards me, his hand raised to slap me. I closed my eyes and flinched away, but the slap never came. I peeked and saw Jeremiah holding my uncle's wrist midair, a murderous fire burning in his eyes. "Raise a hand to my wife again, and I'll rip your heart out of your chest and hand it to her as a gift."