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“I can’t wait to see them,” Victor says softly. “Actually, I can’t wait to seeyouagain. I miss you, Gia.”
His words warm me. “I miss you, too. The bed feels kind of empty. I miss your arms around me.”
“God, mine too.”
“You could always come home. Antonio mentioned that Helena was with Marco, there’s no reason for you to stay there now.”
“I’ll be home soon, sweetheart. I promise. I can’t stay away from you for too long.”
I sigh with his response. It’s not what I wanted to hear—especially since I know why he’s staying.
“What’s your plans for tomorrow? I’m not used to you being off work.”
“I’m actually missing work, but they’re remodeling the entire building. We were lucky to get a grant to do it. The place will be amazing when it’s all said and done. They’re even going to make playrooms for the kids and a small play yard out back.”
“That’s great, Kitten. Although, I have to say, I’m a little bummed that you’re on vacation and I’m not with you.”
“Then, come home,” I plead again, only to hear him exhale in frustration.
“I have to do this, Gia. I get you don’t want me to, but I have to. It’s who I am. So, tell me what you’re doing tomorrow. Are you going to see the babies?”
“Probably not. My friends need time to recover and time with their men. I don’t have anything planned until later in the day,” I tell him, wondering if I should have just lied. He still would have known, because it didn’t slip by me that I had a bodyguard at myhouse yesterday when I got home. I started to invite her in, but I didn’t. I feel a little guilty about that, but I told her to go home, and she refused. It’s not my fault if she wants to be nuts.
“What are you doing later?”
“Won’tSloanreport and tell you?” I huff.
“Gia, I told you I’m going to keep you safe. That’s with or without your cooperation.”
“It’s your money you’re wasting. Have at it, I guess.”
“I have more money than I’ll ever need. Spending it to keep you safe and trying to spoil you is all I want.”
“You should probably see a therapist for your issues, Victor.”
“Smartass. Why do I get the feeling that you’re trying to avoid telling me what you have planned tomorrow?”
Because I am, and you’re really smart?
I rub my forehead a little harder than necessary. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know what Victor’s reactions are going to be to my plans. I don’t want to tell him, but I also don’t want to keep secrets either. Besides, I wasn’t joking. Sloan would tell him where I was. This would be easier in the long run. It’s kind of like ripping a band aid off.
“I’m going out to dinner again with Sam.”
“You’ve already had dinner with that prick,” he growls, his voice dark and deadly. It’s enough to send goosebumps over my skin.
“Victor—”
“You’re pushing me too far, Gia.”
“Don’t be like that. I told you that Sam is family. He came all this way to see me and I’m not going to ignore him. He was my lifeline when my mother moved in with Abram. You know how my mother is?—”
“Of course, I do. But?—”
“Well, she was a hundred times worse with Sam’s dad backing her. He and I bonded over that, and Sam will always be a part of my life.”
“Bullshit. You haven’t even seen him in years.”
“We kept in touch in emails. He didn’t know about the attack, or he would have been here, Victor. He’s important to me, but there’s no reason for you to get upset.”
