My chest burns. “You’re mad?”
“I didn’t fucking need your help!” he rages.
I feel sick in my stomach. I vividly remember my father screaming the same thing at me after I drug him from a bar for the one-hundredth time. He had a habit of throwing punches with his words. For the first time since we’ve left the casino, I’m happy he’s in another car.
I take a deep breath and try to suck in my tears. I don’t want to cry in front of Gio.
“Don’t speak to her like that.” Gio’s tone is calm when he talks to Johnny, but I can see his hands tighten around the steering wheel.
‘Fuck you.” Johnny shouts through the speaker.
This time the tears do break through and I hiccup a sob.
“Where do you want me to take him, skip?” Frank’s voice comes through the speakers now.
“Home.” Gio responds. “I want a soldier outside his apartment and I want to know if his moves an inch, got it?”
Frank makes an affirmative noise and ends the call.
I feel broken as we drive in silence. Johnny is all I have, and he’s pissed at me. For helping him of all things. I wrap my arms tighter around myself.
All I ever tried to do was create a life for us.
Yet, here we are.
“It’s not your fault.” Gio breaks through my inner monologue. “Stop beating yourself up over there.”
“I’m not.” I lie.
“I can see it, sweetheart. You are. I get it, he’s family, but he’s shitty to you. You think you deserve that?”
He looks over at me when I don’t respond.
“You don’t.” he answers for me. “You’re a good person. Don’t let him bring you down.”
“I’m not a good person.” I return with a sad laugh.
He chuckles. “Yeah, sure.”
“I’m working for you. How does that make me a good person?” I look away from him, not wanting to see his response to those words.
“You think that makes you a bad person?” he asks, his voice sincere.
“Yeah.”
“Look at it this way, you’re only here to help your brother. Sometimes good people do bad things for good reasons.”
I study him for a moment. His dark hair slicked back, a single hand loose on the wheel, tight jeans pressed against his thighs. Is Gio a good person or a bad person?
“He’s my brother,” I finally say. “I have to help him.”
“Yeah, but sometimes family isn’t always blood.” he tells me.
I huff, pivoting my body away from him again. “Do you have siblings?”
“Two. A brother and a sister.”
“Would you cut them out of your life like you're asking me to do.” I give him a pointed look. Case made.
“If they treated me like Johnny does, without a doubt.” Of course, he would.
“But they’re perfect I imagine, right?” I say sarcastically.
“No, sweetheart.” he smiles lightly. “Far from it. My brother is under a lot of stress right now, but he’s patient. He’s worked really hard for this, and he’s going to succeed and I’ll be right by his side. My sister, Gemma, she’s going through something.” he pauses.
“What is it?” I ask softly.
“Our mom died last year, and Gemma is having a hard time coping. She’ll get through it though.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” I pause, mulling over his words. “You love them?”
“Yeah, I do.”
“I know he’s not perfect, but he’s my brother and I love him. He wasn’t always like this.” I sigh, telling him.
“I’m sure he wasn’t.”
“Why are you making someone watch him?” I ask after a moment.
He’s silent beside me, eyes steady on the road in front of them. “I don’t want him to gamble.” Gio gives me a sympathetic look. “It’s not good for my bottom line.”
“Oh. I never said thank you.” I nearly whispered.
“I would love to hear that.” he flashes a wicked grin.
I laugh for a moment. “I guess, thank you.” I turn to face him and smile softly. “You know, for not making me swim with the fishes.” I gesture with my hands and attempt to mock an Italian accent.
His laughter fills the car. God, I love the sound.
Sexy as sin.
I could listen to that all day.
“And thank you,” I continue, a more serious tone now. “For taking care of Johnny and not letting them beat the shit out of him.”
His laughter settles. “Were you scared of them?”
“Not as much as I am of you.”
He turns his face to meet mine. All sharp lines and angles, but right now he looks soft and approachable.
“That’s probably a good thing.”
Was it a good thing?
Gio walks me to my door when we arrive back in Providence. It’s a weird tradition I’ve become accustomed to. He’s quiet as we approach my apartment, both hands jammed into the pockets of his jeans like he’s trying to prevent himself from reaching out to me.
“I’m sorry.” he finally speaks as my key turns in the door lock.
“For what?” I ask, pausing, and angling my body to face his.
“I’m sorry he hurt you.” he inches close to me, backing me through the open door way until he’s able to shut the door behind us. “But I don’t mind being here for you.” he raises one hand to softly caress my cheek.
“Gio,” my voice comes out strained.
“Annie.” he looks down and then lifts his eyes to meet mine. “I want to kiss you.” His breath touches my neck and I relish the feelings. He’s so fucking close to me.
“Then kiss me.”
I want him. More than ever, I want him to make good on that promise and kiss me.
He leans in close, gently pressing his lips against mine, then just as quick he presses in deeper, using
