Chapter 6
Finn
I wipe the steam from my bathroom window, tossing the extra water in my hair with my fingers before drying it. Even after a cold shower last night, I barely had a good night's sleep.
I have to go to work, but before that, Gianna and I need to talk. Yesterday was too heated, and I said things I regret. She just lost her family. Even though she wanted to escape her life, she must be devastated.
I take a deep breath. She must hate me. I step into my room and to my closet, my fingers trailing over rows of neatly pressed suits before settling on a black one.
I slide on my pants before I slip on the shirt and fasten each cufflink without thinking, muscle memory doing the work.
I put on the jacket next before moving toward the window, the city sprawling beneath me like a living thing, so loud, yet so far away. I stare down at it, jaw clenched. Is she going to talk to me today? Or just shut me out again like she always does.
I drag in a breath, wondering why she has such an effect on me. I reach my door and step out when I see Declan exiting her room, heading toward the elevator.
Why did he just come out of Gianna's room? My jaw locks so hard it aches. I remember telling her clearly not to let anyone in her room but me.
I move in anger to her room. I don't knock. I don't even think. I use the key I had a copy of, and the door swings open. She's halfway off the bed, her robe showing her bare shoulder as the blanket slips down her body.
She looks startled and surprised as she pulls the robe to cover herself better, adding gasoline to what I'm already feeling.
Declan was in here with her with nothing but a robe. "What the hell is wrong with you?" she yells, getting out of bed. "You can't just walk in here without knocking. Does everyone in this place not know the concept of privacy?"
"I didn't think you would welcome Declan in your bed," I say through gritted teeth.
She turns to me like I just said the craziest thing. "What?"
"You heard me," I say, my mind reeling through a series of reasons Declan could be leaving her room.
She runs her finger through her hair, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Just leave, Finn. I don't want to talk to you right now while you're being unreasonable."
"I want to talk. I want to know why Declan was in your room. I clearly remember telling you to let no one in here but me," I argue, my eyes landing on her open suitcase.
"Why should I take orders from you, Finn? You don't own me, and you have no right to control what I do," she raises her voice, and like that, we're back to arguing.
"As long as you're here, I'm responsible for you, so technically, I have every right to know what you're up to. Who you meet or sleep with," I counter with a clenched jaw.
"I can't with you right now. Just leave, Finn," she says, pointing to the door with one hand wrapped around her waist.
"I'm not going anywhere until you tell me why Declan was here," I state, wanting her to tell me whatever I'm thinking is wrong.
"Yesterday you called me a coward, and today, you accuse me of sleeping with your brother. Do you even hear yourself?"
"You still haven't given me an answer. Why was Declan in your room this early? Did he spend the night? Did he do something?"
She sighs, defeated. "I saw him sitting on that couch when I woke up. Nothing happened between us. He wants me to attend some meetings with him. He's insisting, honestly. Satisfied?"
I take a step back, relieved to hear nothing happened but still a bit livid and confused. "Some meetings?" I ask.
"Yeah," she answers, sitting on the bed. As she sits, her robe shifts, revealing her thigh, and I look away. She notices and covers herself.
"You said Declan just showed up. How did he get in?"
"Probably the same way you did," she snaps, and I realize all this is wrong. Declan has no right to do what he did.
I move closer to Gianna, crossing over her suitcase, until I tower over her. "Did he say anything else?" I ask, searching those intoxicating eyes.
We remain like that for a minute, just staring into each other's souls before Gianna looks away first. "No.
Can you leave now and next time knock before you enter," she says.
I stretch my hand towards her, and she backs away slightly.
I sigh, slowly pushing her hair over her shoulder before grabbing the edge of her robe and pulling it closer to cover her up.
"Did Alex return your phone?" I ask, and she turns to the shelf beside the bed.
"Yeah," she answers.
"Good. Settle in, and if you need anything, call me."
She gives me that familiar look again, the one that always paints me as a crazy person. Maybe I am crazy. Maybe Gianna has driven me mad.
"I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere," I say, walking towards the door.
"Like I have anywhere to go," she mutters as I leave her room.
I'm fuming. What meeting does he want her to be a part of? I'm responsible for Gianna. He didn't mention anything about a meeting to me and just went straight to her. That's where I draw the line.
I pull out my phone and dial Declan's number. It rings once, twice, and doesn't pick up. I try another number, my jaw aching from how hard I'm clenching it. The moment Alex picks up, I don't waste time.
"Where is Declan?"
There's a long pause. "Sir, I..." I hang up. If he can't answer in two seconds, I don't need him. I'll find him myself. My steps echo down the hallway. Each step is loaded, anger boiling at the surface, hands twitching at my sides like they don't know what to do with themselves.
I reach the elevator and slam my thumb into the button. The doors open too slowly, mocking me with every second.
I step in alone, and the mirror inside catches my reflection. Tense shoulders, eyes like a storm barely contained.
I adjust my collar out of habit, even though it isn't wrinkled. I watch as the numbers climb. Each floor a beat, a breath I can't release. By the time it dings, I'm already walking.
I walk down the corridor, past Declan's P.A, ignoring her greetings and her warning that Declan is about to have a meeting as I head to his desk.
Declan raises his eyes to look at me, his brow coming together in confusion. "What is this?" he finally speaks.
"We need to talk," I say.
"Whatever you have to say can wait," Declan says, his eyes returning to the paperwork in front of him.
"It can't wait," I begin, and he leans back on his chair, brows raised, arms folded before waving the P.A. to leave.
In half a minute, she scurries out of the room, and I close the door behind me.
"This better be a matter of life and death," Declan says, folding his arms on the table.
"Why were you in Gianna's room?" I ask.
"You interrupted me and are willing to shirk your own duties because of the Rosso girl?"
"Why were you there?" I ask again.
"I can choose to be anywhere I want. If you have nothing better to say, leave."
"That was a violation. Gianna is here because of me, and she's under my care," I say between clenched teeth. "You can't just sneak into her room. She's off-limits."
"Oh, I get what this is about." He chuckles. I'm sure my face is turning red with the anger I feel for my own brother. "I've got enough pussy around me. I don't need to care about hers. She's all yours," Declan says, leaning back in his chair.
"Don't speak about her that way," I say, raising my voice.
Declan slams his fist on the desk, his jaw clenched. "You don't tell me what to do, Finn. Know your place." I don't know what's worse, the fact that Declan sees me as some little kid or that he speaks about Gianna disrespectfully, but I'm beyond pissed.
"Gianna isn't attending any meeting with you. She'll remain here," I say, standing my ground.
"I don't think you get it. She's not here to play house. You wanted her to stay, and I'll use her however I see fit. That's how she'll be allowed to remain here unharmed."
"That won't happen. Gianna is off-limits, Declan. I'm warning you," I threaten. I've never wanted to protect anything more. I don't want her to get hurt, and I know Declan. He won't stop at anything to make her life here miserable.
"You dare threaten me because of some Rosso chick. I'm telling you she has a mission. I don't trust her, and the fact that you act this way just proves it. You can play in her pussy, I don't give a shit, but you need to use that head of yours."
"She's going with me for the meetings. You said it yourself. She can be useful," Declan says in a final tone, getting up from his chair to watch the city below.
"I didn't mean to use her this way," I say, starting to regret what I said.
"What way did you think, Finn? You thought I was going to pat her on the back while I begged her to let out any information about the Rosso family? She knew what she signed up for when she walked into this estate. She isn't that dumb."
I don't like this. I hate that Gianna will be used this way. I've never questioned or gone against my brother, but this is one thing I cannot allow to go on.