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Before I can reply, Pietro says loudly, “Come around so we can see you,cara mia.”
Gia and I don’t move, staring each other down. I fight back the panic that wants to bubble up inside me. There is no way Alessio won’t find her beautiful, and if he decides he wants her, he’ll attempt to take her, and I will never let that happen. No man is going to come between Gia and I. Ever.
After another long moment, she moves around the desk, and steps in front of Dante. She looks at the screen and blinks a couple of times before she awkwardly says, “Hello.”
All of the men watch her for a moment. “Hello, my dear,” Pietro says warmly, his tone friendly, those his eyes are shrewed. “I must say, seeing you, even if it is through one of these blasted screens, I can see why Signore Armani does not want to release you. Aren’t you stunning.”
She blushes, and I clench my hands on my thighs. I barely resist the urge to grab her and hold her close, or better yet, take her completely out of here. “Thank you, Signore,” she replies. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t catch your name and I don’t want to be rude.”
“Now, see, she has learned some lovely manners. I am Pietro Caruso,cara. And these are my sons, Alessio, Zeno, and Massimo. And it seems that there are a lot of people looking for you.”
I stew in anger, but I manage to keep my mouth closed.
Gia surprises me, however, by saying, “Yes, I know. My family seems to think that getting me back will be the answer to all problems. But I’m afraid, Signore Caruso, that I am not of much value to them.”
Pietro doesn’t react to that other than an arched brow, but his sons are not as careful in their expressions. Especially Alessio, who looks slightly pissed. “Ms. De Luca, I can assure you that you have great value,” Pietro tells her, “Your hand has been offered to many families, including my own. Your brother proposed you marry Alessio. I would think that a brother who would want to secure a strong marriage like this one would mean you have great worth.”
Gia gives him a rueful smile. “I’m sorry, Signore Caruso, but my brother is much more interested in securing power than making sure that I am happy and taken care of. If it were up to him, I wouldn’t be around at all.” She sounds so sad about it that I don’t even stop my hand from coming up to wrap around her waist and pull her to my lap, holding her when she looks at me in surprise.
“And what of your uncle?” Pietro asks her curiously. “Surely he has your best interests at heart.”
She shakes her head. “My uncle is worse than my brother. He wants to be top dog, and he will do anything to get it. Including auctioning me off to the highest bidder.” Pietro’s mouth turns down in a displeased frown. To a man like him, family is everything, and he certainly isn’t a fan of the De Lucas after this conversation.
“I think the bigger question is your current situation,” Alessio says, leaning forward. “I have no intention of forcing you to live up to the deal your brother struck, Ms. De Luca, but if you don’t want to be with Signore Armani, all you need to do is say the word and I will ensure you are safe. I did not plan on taking a wife this soon, but I can assure you that you will be happy, and you will also be safe. And I will ensure, personally, that you are free to come and go as you choose.”
Panic mixes with fury at his words. At what he’s offering her. He has just given her the option of the one thing I can’t give her. The question is if she will take it. And if she does, what I’m going to have to do to make sure it doesn’t happen. Because I’m not about to let my little mouse go, no matter how hard I have to fight and how much blood I need to wade through.
CHAPTER27
Gia
I don’t needto look at Nico to know that he’s not happy with Alessio’s offer. And it’s not lost on me what he’s offering to me. Freedom, but with strings. And in another country and far away from my family. Far away from the life I lived here. But also far away from Nico.
That’s the crux of it, though. As much as I want to be free, I also can’t bring myself to agree to it. And that’s the goddamn problem, isn’t it? I told myself that I would get away, that I would be free, and here I am with the opportunity and I can’t say yes. What the hell is wrong with me? I should be jumping at it. Hell, I should be screaming it.
So why aren’t I?
My mind is spinning, and the man in front of me is watching me expectantly. He doesn’t push me, he just holds my gaze, communicating things to me without saying anything at all. I don’t know why, but he strikes me as a good man. One that many believe he’s the son of the devil, but I see something else. Maybe it’s because I’ve never seen that expression on any of my family members' faces that I can recognize it. Still, I don’t know this man, and men are very good at hiding their true nature until it’s too late.
“Giulia,” Alessio prompts, bringing me out of my thoughts.
He wants an answer and I need to give him something. I take a deep breath and I say, “Thank you for the offer, but I want to stay here.”
No one reacts to my words, not even Nico. Alessio’s eyes bore into me. “You want to stay there,” he repeats. Suddenly, he lifts his hands and surprises me.
Alessio: Are you being told to say that or are you saying that because you want to?
I stare at him for a moment. Wait, how does he know American Sign Language? And how does he know that I know how to speak it?
Me: I’m saying that. No one is forcing me. Nico has treated me well, and I’m sorry, but I don’t know you. And how do you know that I can understand you?
Alessio: I made it my business to know everything about my potential future bride. And that is fair, but I promise you will be safe here. Sofia is a valued member of our family, and she will vouch for us.
I’m surprised at that. Wait? They know Sofia?
“What the fuck are you two doing?” Nico demands.
We both ignore him, though I don’t miss the flash of amusement on Alessio’s face before he quickly masks it.
