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“Of course, Pietro.” She blows him a kiss and then walks around the desk and out the door. Not even glancing at me or Dante. I see the worry in Dante’s eyes as he tracks her steps, but then it’s gone and he’s back to my ruthless Underboss when he steps into the screen.
Pietro loses all friendliness as he looks at me. “You will let her come home whenever she wants.”
“She’s always been free to leave whenever she would like. I have offered many times, but she’s devoted to her job and she feels that if she leaves the place will fall apart. I do not keep my staff hostage.”
“No, but you do take women against their will from what I’ve heard,” one of the sons remarks, leaning forward. He looks like a younger version of his father, but instead of dark brown hair, his is darker blonde. His dark eyes are hard as he stares at me.
“Zeno,” Pietro says calmly.
“A lot of people have been saying things lately. The question is, how are you hearing them?”
“I’m tired of the careful speak,” Pietro huffs. “We are men, and I am tired of these stupid games you Americans think to play. So let’s just get things out on the table, hmm?” He gives me an assessing gaze and then he leans forward. “You are correct that Marco De Luca approached us for an alliance. Normally, I would not be interested, but he assured me that it would be an excellent alliance and one that would make us both rich and powerful.” He scoffs. “As if I need more power, but I was intrigued so I listened.”
“And what did he offer you?” I ask, since we’re going to put all our cards on the table.
“He offered me a marriage contract for the lone female De Luca member,” Pietro replied. “His sister, I believe. And the very one that you have in your possession now.” He stares at me, daring me to lie to him.
I have two choices. I can lie, and hope that I get it past him, or I can tell him the truth and let him know Gia will never be available to him or his sons. Knowing little about this man, I need to be careful. But like he said, my father was an idiot, and I’m much better than him. So I lean forward and reply, “Gia De Luca is in my home, my bed, and my life, and no one else is going to have her. Not even you.”
None of them react. I have essentially informed them I did indeed take the woman promised to them, and the one who could very well start a war if they take exception to it. Especially since I’ve also just admitted the virginity promised to them is gone.
Finally Pietro looks at the son to his right. “Alessio? You were the one she was promised to,” he remarks.
I look at the man who I spoke to on the phone. He’s also a younger version of his father, but a slightly thicker beard than his brothers. His face gives nothing away as the two of us stare at each other. Finally he asks, “Did you take her knowing she was promised to someone else?”
“No. I took her because I wanted her, and before I knew who she was.”
Alessio arches a brow. “And now?”
“Now, she’s mine and I will never let her go.”
“And she is willing to stay with you?”
“She does not want to return home.”
“So you are holding her hostage, and while she, according to you, does not want to go home, you are not giving her an option of another spot.” His voice is hard.
I narrow my eyes at him slightly. “Giulia De Luca is mine, and she’s not going anywhere.”
“I want to speak with her.”
“No.”
“Then I can only assume you are worried she’ll speak to us and tell us that she wants us to rescue her, because she is indeed unwilling,” Pietro interjects. “Which would mean that you are giving credence to the De Luca claims you are trying to keep her from fulfilling her contract with us.”
I grit my teeth as I try to figure out what to say. Any of it makes me sound like I am indeed playing right into the De Luca’s plans, and will no doubt cost me the alliance that I want. Especially one that will stave off a war on multiple fronts. Fucking hell, this is a fucking mess. The damn De Lucas are going to die slowly and painfully. Finally, I reply, “Gia has been through years of abuse and isolation at the hands of her family. She is safe here with me, and considering you are not the only family she has been offered to, I will do whatever I have to do to protect her. Even if that means keeping her away from you.”
“How can she be safe with you when you have kidnapped her and are holding her against her will?” the third son demands. This one must look like his mother considering the slightly softer features, dark blonde hair, and hazel eyes. Though he certainly has his father’s scowl and hard glare.
“Because I will make sure that no one harms her again,” I snap. “And she is safer with me than anyone else.” My frustration is mounting and I’m barely able to keep from turning off the computer and ending the conversation right now.
“It sounds to me like you care for her, Signore Armani,” Pietro says thoughtfully. “Though Massimo’s question is a valid one. Your feelings are only a small part in a bigger puzzle.”
Suddenly the door to my office opens, and in walks the woman we are currently discussing. And the expression on her face tells me that she’s been listening for a while. Without a word, she shuts the door as soon as Davide steps in behind her, looking harassed, and says, “I’ll talk to them.”
I stiffen, because there is no way the men on the call haven’t heard her. “Gia,” I say warningly, while also glaring furiously at her guard. He’s going to get the beating of his life when we’re finished.
She lifts her chin, her gaze defiant. “I want to talk to them, Nico, and I’m not leaving until I do.”
