Page 45 of (UN)Bounded

“You’re not lying,” I tell him as I take my phone out. I need to get this off my chest.

Isabella: Why did you have to out me to Luca? He just left after coming for less than twenty-four hours.

Gio: What are you talking about?

Isabella: Oh, come on, big brother. You told Luca you saw something between me and Gabo, and he came all the way from Chile to let us know how he feels about it.

My phone vibrates with an incoming call, and even though I roll my eyes at it, I answer it.

“Hi, Gio.”

“Luca did what?” I chuckle at Gio shouting on the phone. Honestly, at this point, we all should know how extra Luca can be.

“Yeah, he arrived this morning and told us to take him to the beach. He played volleyball with Gabo, had lunch, and then told us to give him a ride to the airport. Then he proceeded to tell us how wrong he thinks this thing between us is and got into the jet without saying goodbye,” I tell Gio everything, feeling really crappy all over again because the more I think about it, the more ridiculous I think this situation is.

“Can you please put me on speaker?” Gio asks, and honestly, I don’t know what to expect from my brothers anymore.

“Please, Isa. What I need to say is to the two of you.”

I look at Gabo, who’s completely focused on driving. I know whatever my brother says, it’s best if Gabo hears it. I know now he’s in this—whatever this is—one hundred percent.

“Okay, you’re on speaker now.”

“Hey, man. Isa was just saying how fucked up your best friend is,” Gio says, and Gabo and I chuckle.

“Yeah, bro. He came, did his little show, and then told us what’s what before heading back.”

“Listen, the only reason I mentioned anything to him was because I did see something between the two of you. I thought it was a good thing, you know? I actually think the two of you make sense together.”

My jaw is on the floor. “You do?” I ask after the initial shock has passed.

Gabo squeezes my hand as if to say, “I told you so.”

“Yeah, Isa. I do. Gabo is an exemplary man. You know me, I don’t say anything lightly. He wouldn’t have made a move on you if he didn’t think he was being honest. Our families are already close. It wouldn’t be a smart move.”

“Boom. Thanks, Gio. I knew Bella wasn’t the only smart Bianchi.” Gio chuckles at Gabo’s compliment.

“I know this is silly and you don’t need it, but if it makes you feel better, Isa, you have my blessing. And if for some reason I need to knock some sense into Gabo, you just say the word. I can do that, too.” My heart warms up at my brother’s words. He truly is the best.

“Thanks, Gio. Please, just don’t say anything to Luca. I don’t want more drama. He’ll accept it whenever he’s ready.”

“You got it, Isa. Love you.”

“Love you, too, big brother.” I disconnect the call and look at Gabo, who already has a mischievous smirk on his face.

“What are you thinking?” I ask, a little too anxious to know the answer.

“That we should go to the villa and start our week off right now.”

“I love that idea, but I don’t have any clothes there.”

“That’s fine. You don’t need them anyway,” Gabo says in a serious tone, and I open my eyes wide.

“What? Haven’t you been begging me for sex?”

“I have not begged, Signore Godoy. How dare you,” I say, mock indignation oozing from my tone.

“Oh, my bad. I thought it was you, Bella mia, chanting, ‘Yeah, G. Like that. More, G,’” he mimics my accent, and I swat his arm as he tries to move away from me.

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