Page 20 of Capone
I personally didn’t get it. Love was love. I couldn’t care less who the next person wanted to date. Gender and race shouldn’t make a difference.
“Well, I don’t blame you for cutting him off. Gabi is a blessing, and she should be addressed as such. Sometimes you have to take a step back from people. Even your family.”
“You sound like you’re speaking from experience?”
“I guess you could say that. Like you, my father had expectations from me that I wasn’t willing to fulfill, so when I turned eighteen, I ran away and joined the Navy.”
“Do you ever regret leaving?”
“No. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I miss my mother and my little brother, but ultimately, I had to choose my peace of mind.”
“I can understand that. As much as I miss my siblings and my mother, I would rather stay away then to constantly be at war with my father.”
We spent the rest of the night just talking. Never had I enjoyed just talking to a woman. Normally, I would become uninterested in less than an hour but with Giovanna, I didn’t want it to end. Before I knew it, she had fallen fast asleep with her feet still in my lap.
I got up and picked her up bridal style, carrying her to Gabrielle’s room. She had mentioned how she had been sleeping in there ever since Gabby was taken. After I laid her down, I placed a kiss to her forehead. She snuggled into her pillow, releasing a small snore.
Even in her sleep, she was the most beautiful woman I had ever laid my eyes on. I found myself watching her for far too long before I snapped out of it. As I lay in my bed, the only thing I could think about was bringing Gabi back to her. She had been through enough.
Even if it was the last thing I did, I was bringing her daughter back to her.
Chapter Nine
GIOVANNA
We finally made it back to the clubhouse. Paul’s pilot called early the next morning to let us know we were in the clear for takeoff. As soon as we stepped into the clubhouse, Cara and Sara were waiting for us.
I tried to follow them into the cave, but they stopped me. When I tried to protest, they weren’t hearing it.
“This case is taking a toll on you mentally and physically, Giovanna. It's hard enough to function knowing your daughter is missing, but with every piece of information we discover, you fall deeper and deeper into a hole. Take some time andtryand relax. When we get Gabi back, she’s going need you to be healthy. As soon as we find something, I promise to tell you immediately.” Cara patted my shoulder before walking away with Sara right behind her.
I couldn’t deny her words. I’d had so many mental breakdowns since I’d been here. Between worrying about Gabi and trying to process these growing feelings for Capone, I didn’t know if I was coming or going at this point.
Last night with Capone was the most peaceful night I’d had since Gabi was snatched. It only lasted for a few hours, but I was grateful to feel something other than misery and pain.
He actually made me laugh a few times. That was something I hadn’t done since before Derek was killed. The only joy I received in life over the last few years had been from Gabi.
I felt guilty every time I looked forward to spending time with Capone. He caused me to feel things that I never felt with Derek and I was just not ready to confront those feelings.
Since I had been banned from the cave, Capone offered to show me around the clubhouse. This place had everything. They had a gym, game room, and movie room. I had already seen the common room and dining hall from previous visits but when I saw they had their very own infirmary, I was blown away.
After the tour, Capone took me to the common room where we joined a few of his brothers, Diablo, Chains, and Ink. As soon as we sat down, they began teasing us.
“Aww, look at the cute wittle couple,” Chains cooed, causing Diablo and Chains to burst into laughter.
I covered my face with my palm to hide my red cheeks. Capone and I were still working out the kinks with whatever was happening between us, so I definitely wasn’t ready to have this conversation with strangers.
“Zip it, Chains, before I do it for you,” Capone warned with a chuckle.
“Geez. You hear this, D?” Chains asked as he turned his nose up. “He just threatened us left and right behind his woman.”
“What?” I sat up in confusion.
“Oh, you don’t know. Your man sent a text to every brother the day he laid eyes on you. Let's just say there were promises of boots to assess if any of us tried anything with you.”
My mouth dropped open as I stared at Capone. He didn’t seem the least bit shamed or embarrassed as he wore a cocky smirk. Capone appeared to be completely unapologetic.
“Capone, I can't believe you did that,” I said.
