Chapter 19 #3
“Wink at her one more time and I’m going to shove your glass up your ass.” Gio glares. Matteo lets out a loud laugh. This is the first time I’ve seen him smile. He’s always so…composed and calculated. “I don’t know what you think is so fucking funny.” Gio turns his glare to Matteo.
Matteo leans back in his seat as he rests his leg on his thigh. “It’s just funny to see it happening to you. Karma’s a bitch.”
“Don’t think I still can’t charm the panties off Wren.”
I stiffen. Was there something going on between Wren and Gio that I didn’t know about?
“God, Gio,” Wren says as she enters the room with an eye roll.
“You’re making Bronwyn uncomfortable by being a dumbass.
” She picks up the little girl sitting next to Matteo and sits down next to him, settling her in her lap.
“We haven’t done anything, so please don’t let your mind go there.
” Wren’s face twists up in disgust. “Gio is just…charming.” Wren trails off, her tone laced with sarcasm.
The one guy in the room who I haven’t seen around or met snorts. “That’s one way to put it.”
“Shut up, Aldo,” Gio grumbles. “I don’t remember asking for your opinion.”
“You’re just mad the shoe is on the other foot now. I sincerely apologize for Gio being rude.” Aldo pins Gio a look as he stands up and crosses the room to us, holding his hand out. “I’m Aldo, Gio’s cousin. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
I place my hand in his. They’re surprisingly soft, and his grip is gentle in comparison to Gio’s. “I’m Bronwyn. It’s nice to meet you.”
Aldo gives me a low smile. “Take my seat.” He waves his arm toward the couch he just got up from. “What’s your drink of choice?”
“Oh no,” I wave my hands up. “I’m okay over here.”
My discomfort is growing by the second. I’m not sure where to sit, where to stand, or honestly what to do at all. It’s like I forgot how to interact with people even though I do it on a daily basis at work.
“Take my seat, Bronwyn,” Aldo says, his voice oddly calm but demanding at the same time. “Your drink of choice?”
“Um…” Shit. What do I drink? I can’t tell a family who doesn’t have a single lower-end liquor in sight that I drink box wine from the corner store. “Whatever you feel like making,” I finally say, not liking being put on the spot.
“I’ll make it,” Gio cuts in, glaring at Aldo, who looks to be enjoying himself as an amused smirk takes over his face.
“Be my guest,” Aldo says as he backs off.
“Holy shit,” a voice exclaims behind me as they enter the room, making me turn around.
A woman who looks around my age stands there with her hands on her hips, a smirk on her face, her eyes dancing between Gio and me.
“I never thought I would see the day you, of all people, get a girlfriend. How much did you have to pay her?”
My eyes widen as I freeze, my attention locked on her. Is she assuming I’m a…prostitute? Does Gio pay for girls?
Oh my god.
What if the hush money isn’t really hush money at all and it’s to sleep with me? Is that how he gets in? Preys on charity cases that he knows are a hook, line, and sinker.
“Fuck off, Delaney.” Gio looks at me over his shoulder. “Don’t believe a word she says, baby. I’ve never paid for a girl, and will never pay for a girl.”
“That’s because you have one who looks like she could be my next muse.” Enzo winks at me.
Before I can blink, Gio has reached over and smacked Enzo on the head. “Knock it the fuck off.”
“You believe me, right?” Gio asks me.
Do I? He hasn’t given me a reason not to trust him yet. He’s proven more than once that he has my back. Nothing says I’m into you like murdering someone for you.
Gio mistakes my silence for doubt as his brow creases and he begins to look frantic. “Delaney! Tell her you’re joking!”
Delaney laughs. “It’s fun to watch you squirm. I am kidding, though. Gio doesn’t pay for girls. I’m happy he found someone. I just didn’t believe it until I saw you with my own two eyes.”
I release a sigh I didn’t know I was holding in as my shoulders slump and my body releases the tension it was holding. I was really hoping it wasn’t true.
I give her a weak smile.
“Jesus, bitch. Way to make an entrance,” Wren cuts in. “Bronwyn, this is my best friend, Delaney. She’s basically my sister and this little princess’s godmother.” Wren tickles Viviana.
“Welcome to the family.” Delaney smiles as she sits next to Wren.
Holy shit, I’m overwhelmed.
I knew this was a bad idea. I wonder if they would notice if I slipped out the front door and went home. There’s so many of them that I doubt it.
“Dinner will be ready in about thirty minutes,” Camilla calls out, interrupting my internal freak-out as Gio hands me a wine glass.
At least I’ll have this to take the edge off.
“I saw the box of wine in your fridge when I stocked it a while ago. This stuff won’t give you the headache that one does,” Gio says low enough so only I can hear. “Come with me. I want to show you something before we eat.”
“Where are we going?” I ask as I follow Gio out of the living room. Matteo’s eyes are on us the entire time.
“Relax, cara. It’s nothing bad.”
I’ll be the judge of that.