Page 43 of Undeniable

Tasha

Gio is in the Mafia. An Underboss for the Mariano family, to make matters worse. I feel like a complete idiot that I didn’t see the signs earlier. I was so hell bent on keeping things casual and trying not to catch feelings that I blinded myself.

I know that it was stupid of me to cave so easily. I know that I should have snuck out last night. As soon as Gio fell asleep, I was already planning out exactly how I would slip out from underneath his hold and out the house without waking him. But as soon as I went to move his arm, I looked over and saw Gio’s sleeping face. It wasn’t peaceful or seemingly content like it has been other nights that I have seen him sleep. Last night, his brows were permanently furrowed while his mouth was pulled into a tight frown.

I couldn’t stop myself from wondering what was plaguing his mind. Was it work? Maybe memories of his wife? Or maybe, it was because of me. I saw the fear in his eyes when I tried to run. His expression was harsh and angry but his expressive eyes, they looked at me with so much worry, like he was afraid that I would disappear into thin air if he didn’t hold onto me for dear life.

He has experienced a pain that not many live through already, and in that moment, I knew I would do anything to prevent him from feeling an ounce of hurt again, if I could help it. Even if that means putting my anonymity at risk. He is worth it, Alessandro and him both.

Since I unexpectedly spent the night, I borrowed a pair of Gio’s sweatpants that I had to tighten the all the way and then roll the top down a couple of times just to keep them on me. I also swiped one of his shirts and knotted it to the side.

Alessandro and I spent the day just hanging out. He asked me why I was wearing his dad’s clothes and I went for the half-lie half-truth answer.

“By the time your dad got home it was really late, so he told me that I could sleep on the couch instead of driving all the way across town and then coming back a few hours later.”

He nodded like that made sense before he began eating his pancakes.

Once we finish up with breakfast, we are settled in watching cartoons on the couch when my phone buzzes in my jean pocket. I pull it out with one hand to see who it is, either Becca or Ashlynn probably, when I still.

Unknown: Are you hurt? Or just stupid? You need to move immediately. Call me.

Before I can even think of a response, my phone starts to ring. I know I should answer it, I know it is important. But if I do, then it all becomes real. If I do, I know that I won’t be in New York 4 hours from now. I glance at Alessandro out of the corner of my eye before I squeeze my eyes closed and shake my head. No. I can’t.

I lock my phone and shove it under the couch cushion where it continues to buzz. Alessandro gives me a funny look which has me reaching out to silence it. I give him what I hope is a comforting smile before I turn back to the cartoon show on the TV. The perceptive little thing continues to watch me for a few beats before he does the same.

Hard as I try, it is becoming more difficult to ignore the warnings. He never gets in contact with me unless it is ultimately necessary. There must have been something that happened or will happen soon. I am being stupid, I need to take the warning and run. I just can’t though. Not anymore. I am in too deep.

Hours earlier than usual, I hear the door open and close. My back straightens as I carefully step into the entry way, not relaxing a muscle until I see that it is only Gio. I glance back at Alessandro to see that he is zoned into his cartoons before I close the distance between Gio and I, leaning up onto my toes and stealing a quick kiss.

“Hey,” I smile softly when I take a step back.

He gives me an exhausted smile before he buries his nose into my neck and inhales softly.

“Hey baby.”

My stomach flips at his casual term of endearment as his arms flex around me like he never wants to let go. I try to pull away after a few moments in case Alessandro comes out, but Gio holds me tighter.

“Alessandro,” I murmur into his shoulder, reminding him that his son is only 20 feet away from us.

“It’s fine,” Gio says as he brushes my hair away from my face and cups my cheek adoringly. “I missed you. How was your day?”

His eyes seem a bit hollow today, not nearly as bright and sharp as normal. There also seems to be shadows lurking underneath his eyes that definitely weren’t there this morning.

“It was good. Better than yours, I am guessing?”

He shakes his head as he looks to the ground. “I just had to tell a wife and her child that their husband and father was killed today.”

I cover my mouth with my hand as I see the utter devastation on his face.

“She is pregnant too. A little girl. She just found out today and was going to surprise him with a cake when he got home.”

My stomach twists in pain. I can’t even describe the heartache I feel for that poor woman, for those poor babies.

“I am so sorry,” I whisper softly.

He nods. “Me too. He was a good man.”

I pause for a second before I take a half of a step back to look at him better. “Were you there?”

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