Chapter 4 Gia
FOUR
GIA
“Gia, it’s good to see you at the table,” Franco said as he joined her and Marc for dinner.
It had been three days, and Gia had avoided her family even more than usual. She smiled sweetly. “Good to see you too, Father. You’ve been so busy.”
A smug expression tugged at Franco’s lips. He’d aged unfairly well and always dressed impeccably. Marc had picked up Franco’s meticulous grooming habits, but their resemblance went beyond fashion sense, leaving no doubt they were related by blood.
Gia had always assumed the differences between her and her father and brother were due to taking after her mother. Her features were finer, her hair darker, but her tanned complexion and brown eyes fit in well enough with the rest of the family.
The truth lay in the details she’d overlooked. Seeing the picture of Jeffrey Lockwood that Ramirez had sent, it was clear she had his nose. Not her mother’s or Franco’s.
Franco waved a heavily ringed hand, and one of the men standing silently at the edge of the room disappeared into the kitchen.
“You know me, Gianna. There’s always someone testing my patience.
Never mind plenty of work to do. If I bothered to rest, all this would be taken away.
” He gestured around the opulent dining room.
He never missed a chance to imply rest was weak. Renewed anger surged through Gia, but she withheld her retort.
Mary entered with dinner and deftly transferred the various dishes from her cart to the table as the lackey returned to his silent place by the door.
“Nothing will be taken away. We’ll figure out who’s moving against us soon enough,” Marc said, reaching for one of the dishes.
Franco hummed. “As long as dealing with the problem doesn’t cut into our plans. Looking beyond Ashton Lakes is well overdue.”
“Of course,” Marc agreed.
Gia didn’t want to hear it. Listening to Franco express his never-ending need for more was exhausting. She served herself and let the others settle into eating for a few minutes before turning to her brother. “Are you stopping by Poison tonight?” It was the Balzanos’ most popular nightclub.
Marc’s brows rose. “Yeah. I have to check on a few things. Why?”
Gia shrugged. “I’m dying to go dancing. Do something. You know?”
“Really?” Marc’s gaze darted to their father to check his reaction.
“Gianna.” Franco tutted right on cue. “Is that really a good idea?”
She forced herself to stay calm, her voice taking on a whiny, rather than desperate, edge. “Why not? I’ve been feeling great for days. All I’ve done is rest. Please. I need to get out of the house for a bit.”
Franco’s eyes narrowed. “You’re not meeting someone, are you?”
God forbid she have a friend or a date. “It’s not like that, I promise. I’ll be with Marc and Salvator.”
Marc caught her eye and flashed her a smile. “It’s best if Gia goes to one of our clubs. Come on, she needs a little fun. The boys and I will look out for her.”
Gia’s pulse spiked, and her father’s gaze narrowed in her direction, almost as if he could tell. Marc meant well, but his comment was infuriating. Was it too much to ask to be treated like an adult and not someone who needed supervision?
Fuck, she had to get out of here. How had she done this for so long?
Franco dabbed at his mouth with a napkin. “You’re right, Marc. But you’ll be fully responsible.”
“Nothing will happen, Father,” he promised.
Gia hated him for accepting the way Franco treated her. Whatever. She’d take it as a sign she needn’t feel guilty about the punishment Marc would inevitably receive for her actions tonight.
The picture the lawyer had sent her was burned into Gia’s mind. Her mother and Jeffrey, with a toddler between them. With Gia between them. They’d looked happy, but she couldn’t imagine how Ma had thought things could work out when she’d been married to Franco Balzano.
Gia felt trapped and watched. Had it been the same for her mother?
“Shall we leave at ten-thirty?” Gia asked her brother as if the insulting exchange hadn’t happened.
Marc pulled out his phone. “Make it ten. I’ll ride with you and Salvator, and text Jay to bring his girlfriend, so you won’t be bored while I talk shop. You know Tessa and the girls. I’m sure they’ll all come along.”
Yes, Gia knew Tessa and her friends, all of whom moved in organized crime circles. Gia hadn’t socialized with any of them since high school, though she’d run into them at various events over the years.
Gia glanced at her father, knowing he expected her to check for approval.
He nodded, his face impassive and eyes cold. “Home by two.”
“Yes, Father.”
Gia grabbed Salvator’s to-go cup of coffee from Mary on her way out of the house. She stopped in the bathroom by the gym and quickly added a laxative. A moment later, she was sauntering into the garage, designer bag slung over her shoulder, and a smile on her face.
“I’ve got you coffee, Salvator.” She handed him the cup.
“Grazie.” He had a sip, looking distinctly grumpy to be leaving the house this late at night. At least he was too well-trained to complain about her impromptu excursion.
Gia settled in the back seat and pulled out her phone, pretending to look busy.
Her pulse pounded. If she got caught tonight, she might never be allowed out of the house again, but her reclusive lifestyle and willingness to follow her family’s rules without a fight meant no one would suspect she was up to anything.
Marc slid into the seat beside her and bumped her shoulder. “Damn. I didn’t know you owned dresses like that.”
Gia generally favored button-up shirts and sweaters. Tonight’s outfit was skin tight except for the short, frilly skirt, which puffed out around her hips. Cute and very impractical. “You look the same as always, Marc.”
He snorted. “Let’s go, Salvator.”
The man was already reversing out of the garage. “Yes, boss.”
Marc’s phone rang, and he answered it with a grumble, shooting an apologetic look in Gia’s direction. What a relief. She hadn’t been looking forward to chatting. The less she said, the less likely Marc was to pick up on her nerves.
Would this plan work?
Franco would be enraged the second he realized she was gone. She had to make sure she wasn’t found, and wouldn’t have known how to accomplish that without Susan’s lawyer.
She’d verified some of Ramirez’s story through public records.
Her aunt’s death. Her relation to Jeffrey and the existence of the theater Susan had owned.
Gia didn’t doubt what he’d told her, but she was trusting his offer to help her flee without having a clue why he’d want to assist. Escaping a crime family wasn’t usual lawyer business.
But trusting Ramirez was Gia’s only option. She had no one else, and she couldn’t wait long enough to come up with another plan. The longer she stayed, the higher the chance she’d slip up, and Franco would discover what she knew.
Then she’d never get out.
Twenty minutes later, Salvator pulled up at the club. “Shall I wait out here or follow you in, boss?”
Marc ended his call. “Wait here. I’ll call if I need you.”
“Sure thing.” Salvator had another sip of coffee and got out to open Gia’s door.
She suppressed a smirk and adjusted her dress. Salvator would no doubt be occupied by the time Marc called to say there was a problem.
Marc appeared at her side and laughed. “Could you have brought a bigger bag, G?”
She rolled her eyes, her hold tightening on the massive purse. “It’s designer. You’re the one who invited Tessa. She’ll love it. It’s called a conversation starter, genius.”
“Sure. Great. Come on.” Marc had already lost interest and ushered her toward the entrance.
“Evening, Marco,” the doorman said, his eyes lingering on Gia. “Shit going down tonight?”
“What?” Marc snapped, stopping to glare. “No, we’re good. Chill.”
The man’s expression turned stricken. “Apologies, Marco. Everyone is already at your table.”
The annoyance faded from Marc’s face, and he clapped the guy on the shoulder. “Good man.”
Gia followed him into the club, noise hitting her like a slap to the face. Ugh, she was not a club girl. Lights and loud noises overwhelmed her even when they didn’t necessarily trigger her migraines.
Marc led Gia to a roped-off area where his friends sat with a bunch of women, some of whom Gia recognized, and many more she didn’t. Marc shouted introductions to a few people and snapped at his friends to behave themselves.
Gia barely heard any of it, and not because of the music. She was buzzing out of her skin, counting the seconds until she could slip away.
Tessa disentangled from her boyfriend and came over. “Gia, babe. It’s been for-fucking-ever. Love your dress.”
“Thanks.” Gia’s cheeks heated. Tessa was beautiful, and despite what Gia had said to Marc, didn’t give a shit about designer bags. At least not any more than your typical rich person did. “How’ve you been?”
Tessa tossed her silken hair over her shoulder, exposing her collarbone and slender neck. “Ugh, bored. We should dance.”
Gia’s stomach flipped. “Totally. Let me put this in Marc’s office.” She gestured to the damn bag.
Tessa chuckled, but more like she thought Gia’s inappropriate accessory was cute than like she was making fun. “Hurry back. Okay?”
Gia nodded, and Tessa turned to one of the other women, placing a hand on her elbow as she leaned in to speak to her.
Gia swallowed, her throat parched. Tessa had always been like that, touchy and incredibly friendly. Gia had spent a great deal of time in high school hoping it had meant something more. It hadn’t.
She elbowed her brother. “I’m going to leave this in your office.”
Marc shook his head like he found her ridiculous. “Knew your bag was too much. Let’s go. I’ve got to check a few things upstairs anyway.”
Gia gritted her teeth, but she’d suspected he wouldn’t leave her side so soon. Protesting his presence would only backfire. She’d have to wait for Marc to get bored of following her around.
They navigated the crowd to the rear stairs, where two men stood guard, preventing patrons from wandering into the office area.
“Marco, can I have a word?” one of the men asked as they approached.
Marc crossed his arms, inclining his chin. “Sure, what’s up?”
Gia seized her chance. “I’ll run to your office while you guys talk.”
Marc grabbed her shoulder, halting her. “Who’s up there?” he asked the guard.
“Top floor’s empty at the moment. Todd’s in the control room behind the bar. He’s got some footage you should see. Sooner rather than later.”
Marc sighed. “Shit. Go on, Gia.” He pointed a menacing, ringed finger at the guards. “She stays upstairs alone or waits here with you until I return. No one else goes up. Got it?”
They nodded so seriously you’d think Marc had asked them to look after live explosives. Gia could have rolled her eyes. The sheer drama.
Marc headed down the hall toward the security room and was soon out of sight. Gia hurried up the stairs. The top floor was deserted, as promised, and she slipped into Marc’s office, shutting the door behind her.
There were no cameras in here. It was one of the few places in the club that wasn’t under surveillance. Gia set her purse on Marc’s desk and pulled out the backpack she’d hidden within, leaving her wallet and regular phone behind.
Sweat beaded at the nape of her neck. Holy fuck, this was happening.
She took the backpack into the adjoining bathroom and pulled out the hoodie and leggings she’d packed along with the ten grand in cash she’d had stashed in her room. Gia might not have accomplished much over the years, but she wasn’t na?ve. She’d been tucking money away forever.
She pulled the clothes on, not wasting time removing her tight dress. The skirt tucked into the hoodie well enough and was out of the way. She swapped her heels for flats and powered on her burner phone.
Unknown: All set.
Her ride was waiting. Gia replied with a thumbs up and climbed out the bathroom window and down the fire escape. She didn’t look back.