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"Hi, Gi. I need you to hear me out OK. I know it is going to sound completely mental, but I need you to listen and not talk right until the end." I want her to just hear the whole idea before she flips out.
"Uh, okay?"
I explained the plan to her. More than once. I am fumbling over the words and taking a little too long to explain, but the truth is that I have so much hope now that I am terrified she is going to say no and crush the last chance I have of having her in my life. So, I talk and talk. Eventually, I have to accept that there is nothing more to add and I wait in silence for her to process what I've said. She did not speak for a long time, and I began to fear the worst. "Gi?"
"It sounds horrible, Hudson." That was the response I expected. It was my first reaction too.
"We need to beat them at their own dirty game, Gi." I try, hoping she'll at least consider it.
"I know, but a bargaining chip. Is it like blackmail? It's so dirty." Gianna is nothing like my ex and my brother.
"Gi - you need to understand that at this point I will literally do almost anything to have you in my life. I can't lose you, baby. My life is incomplete without you. Please. We have to try." I all but beg.
Gianna is reluctant, but finally, she agrees. My heart leaps in my chest. This might actually work! We might actually be able to get them to back off with their ridiculous conditions in the contract!
She sighs. I can feel she is nervous, but at the same time, I know that hope is infecting her as well.
* * *
That evening Gianna is wearing the most elegant outfit I have ever seen. The short sequin dress hugs her body and curves in all the right places. Her breasts are full, and the plunging neckline shows them off elegantly. She is wearing red bottom heels, and her legs look absolutely incredible.
"OK, so keep the earpiece on at all times. I will be listening to everything and recording it all OK. It has a really good range so don't worry too much."
She is climbing out of the taxi, looking nervous. We couldn't take my car as it would have been spotted. They need to think she is here alone. Finding out where Karla and Daniel are going to be this evening is easy as they love to let social media know their movements. "I'll be right around the corner ok." I squeeze her hand for reassurance.
She nods and walks away into the cocktail bar where she is about to find my brother and my ex-wife.
CHAPTER23
GIANNA
Iwalk over to the bar and stand they're trying to look relaxed. The bartender asks me what I want. "Martini, please."
I do a small glance around the room and spot Daniel sitting at a table to the far right. I know I do not have to go to him or make any attempt to get his attention. If he sees me, he will not be able to resist coming over here to let his presence be known. That is just how his ego works.
I sit on the tall bar chair, looking as elegant as possible, feeling like my stomach is in a thick knot. It does not take long at all. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Daniel watching me. I ignore it. Soon after that, he is headed my way, holding Karla's hand, and pulling her in tow. She doesn't look pleased.
"Gianna, what a lovely surprise." He reaches out to hug me. I give him a sideways half hug. "Good to see you, Daniel. Karla." I nod towards her. "I'm surprised to see you out and about, Gianna." She smirks at me.
"Why is that?" I ask.
"Well, you know after your breakup I would have expected you to lay low for a while." I'm sure they did.
"Oh, don't be silly. It was never that serious." I laugh lightheartedly. "I mean, sure, he's ridiculously rich but let's be honest, he really is a bit boring you know what I mean." Karla's eyes widen in surprise.
"Girl? I thought you two were a proper item!" She says and glances at Daniel.
"Oh goodness no. It would never have lasted. You know he didn't even want to go clubbing with me." Daniel and Karla look confused.
I smile, broadly, feeling more confident. "Can I buy you two a drink? Bartender. What are you guys having?" I smile, and they both look at me as if I have two heads.
"Uh, I'll have whatever you are having, but tell me then, I mean did he break up with you?" She's taking the bait.
"Actually no. It was kind of amusing though. I broke up with him a day or two before you two sat down to have your final custody contract discussion. Then afterwards I found out what you put in there. Geeez Girl, you are wicked." I laugh again and place their drinks order with the bartender as though it were the most casual conversation in the world.
Daniel speaks, "You guys broke up before the contract?" He sounds upset.
"Yes, it just wasn't working. I guess you missed a chance to put something better in the contract to annoy him with." I poke at her fragile ego.
