Page 26 of Stolen Union

“Just put it on.”

She sighs but does as I say. After getting in the car, I drive us to a different small town in the area. That way, Rocco can’t find a way to track the phone call.

Gabriella and I shared a moment in the kitchen. We have more in common than I realized, which scares me. It was easy to think of Gabriella as a vapid, spoiled Mafia princess, but she’s a woman who’s faced the loss of her parents just as I have. She’s trying to make things deeper, and I can’t have that. I want to fuck Gabriella, but I can’t let my heart fall for her.

We arrive in the town, and I keep her blindfold on just to make things harder on her. Then I call Rocco. He picks up on the first ring.

“Dante,” he growls.

“How did you know?”

Gabriella jerks when she hears her brother’s voice. “Rocco? It’s Gabriella.”

“Gabriella,” he says. “Are you ok? Are you hurt?”

“She’s fine,” I respond for her. “Just a little blindfolded at the moment, but otherwise, she’s good.”

“You fucking bastard. If you’ve hurt her?—”

“Have I hurt you?” I ask Gabriella, cutting Rocco off. Her lips part, but no sound comes out. “Gabriella,” I say. “Have I hurt you?”

Eventually, she sighs. “No. You haven’t. My pride? Yes. My body? No.”

“You hear that?” I say to Rocco. “Even by Gabriella’s admission, I haven’t hurt her.”

“You’re making her say that.”

“Am I making you say things, Gabriella?”

She sighs. “Rocco, he’s not making me say that. It’s just … the truth. Dante hasn’t laid a hand on me.” She flushes, and I know she must be thinking about what we did in the dressing room.

“She’s not lying, Rocco,” I say. “You see, I could have hurt her, but I’ve chosen not to. See it as a gesture of good faith. I know you hate me. I know you think I’m the worst person on this earth. But I will let Gabriella go if you stop hunting me.”

I can feel her looking at me, but I don’t look back.

Rocco is silent for a moment. “I’m not sure I can make that promise.”

“You would sacrifice your sister to come after me? Some big brother you are.”

“Fine,” he grits out. I can hear how painful that must be for him. “If you let Gabriella go, I’ll stop hunting you.”

“You see, that’s what I’ve always wanted to hear. There’s just one teeny, tiny problem.” I pause. “I don’t believe you. Gabriella is the only thing stopping you from attacking me. Oh, I forget to tell you. Gabriella and I got married. I’m part of the family now. We can put aside our differences, Rocco. Or we can continue to fight until we’re both dead. Your choice.”

I hang up before he can say anything else.

“Why did you say that?” Gabriella asks.

“Say what?”

“Rocco gave you what you wanted. Why not take him up on the offer?”

“Because he’s lying. He wants to save you and kill me in the process. He truly thinks he can do it. He’s willing to leave you with me for a longer period because he can’t overcome his damn pride. Something to think about, isn’t it?”

“Are you trying to get me to like you more?” she asks. “Make me hate my brother.”

“It doesn’t matter whether you like me or not, Gabriella. I already married you. I got what I wanted. Now, let’s go home.” I start the car and take off.

Gabriella is silent the whole way back. Even though she has a blindfold on, I can feel her gaze on me the entire time.

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