Page 72 of (UN)Bounded

“I’ll apologize to Isa later when the dust has settled,” Luca says honestly, not a smidge of sourness in his tone. He gives me a bro hug, and I return it in kind. I’m glad he has finally come to his senses. I’m just sad it took almost losing Bella for him to realize I’m all in with her.

“You’ve finally seen the light, guachito. My brother and Isa can finally be at peace,” Karina says as she hugs Luca, and Gio and I burst with laughter.

“Careful there, Karina Bianchi. I have ways to make you pay later on,” Luca says as he kisses my sister.

I gag. “Okay, we have to draw a line, man. I don’t want to see you getting it on with my sister, and you don’t want to see me with Bella. Let’s leave those comments and behavior for when you are in private.”

Gio rolls his eyes as Luca flips me the bird and continues kissing my sister.

Okay, two can play that game. Let’s see what he says when I’m kissing my woman.

“Time to face the music.” Bella appears in the living room, dragging two huge pieces of luggage behind her. I can’t help but chuckle at her attempt to pack light because we have to get out of here.

“What?” she asks in mock defiance, raising a brow.

“Nothing, principessa. I see you’re ready.” She nods as if to say, “Good answer.”

Gio murmurs, “Yeah, Gabo has it bad for my sister.”

“I detect no lies,” Luca says with a chuckle, and I shrug. I don’t care who knows; Bella Bianchi is the beginning and the end of my love life.

We get in my G-Wagon—Mario will drive Gio and us while Aldo and Rocco go in a car ahead of us with Luca, Karina, and her doctor. Luigi and the other security team are in a car behind us.

When we make it out of the garage, the police are trying to keep all the journalists and camera crews away from our cars, but it’s impossible—they’ve turned into a mob. Bella gently pats Mario’s shoulder as she tells him to stop the car. She opens the moonroof and stands, her upper body emerging from the car.

“I simply want to thank each and all of you for caring so much about my story. I went through a very traumatic event, so I would appreciate privacy and space after this statement. Neither the Bianchi nor the Godoy families have ever been involved in any illicit or dubious businesses. The man who took me against my will has had psychotic issues for a while, and now that he’s with the proper authorities, I hope he’ll get the treatment he deserves. I’m going to move on and leave behind all the pain and suffering this experience has caused me and our families, and I urge you all to do the same. Please respect our privacy. Thank you.” Bella gets back inside the car, and I kiss her hard, not caring that Gio is in the backseat.

“You were amazing. Is there anything you can’t do? Artist, designer, public speaker.” I praise her, and she beams, her azure eyes shining bright.

“Don’t know yet. I’ll let you know when I find out.”

I bark out a laugh as Mario starts driving again, leaving the media circus behind us.

“I don’t want to burst your bubble, guys, but I need to head back to the States. Any chance you can drop me off at the airport?” Gio asks, and I wonder what he has going on that he’s so pressed to head back. Mario looks at me for instructions in the rearview mirror, and I mouth airport to him.

“Oh, Gio, I’m so sorry I didn’t have much time to chat with you this time around,” Bella tells her brother, and I marvel at how caring and loving she is when she’s the one who was kidnapped.

“I’m just glad I was able to be here for you,” Gio tells her honestly.

“Aren’t you supposed to be teaching by now? I thought the semester had already started at the uni where you work,” Bella asks, and I shake my head in disbelief, a full-on billionaire still teaching lectures.

“Actually, I resigned from my job in Raleigh.”

I raise my eyebrows as Bella shouts, “What?”

Gio seems a little nervous, and he scratches the back of his neck before continuing to talk.

“I met a kid in the lab where I work, used to work, and he was telling me all about his hometown in the North Carolina mountains. They’re about to lose their home because there’s a big corporation trying to buy out the entire town to build a ski resort or something.”

Bella and I look at him, incredulous. I mean, Gio has always talked about being a scientist and how much pride he has in his research. It’s astounding news.

“So what’s the plan? Save the town?” Bella asks, and Gio chuckles.

“Something like that. I just think it’s time for me to find a simpler life. There’s a community college nearby where I could teach, and maybe I could use my resources to help this town flourish,” he says with a shrug.

I think there’s more to it than he’s letting on, but I’m sure he’ll share more when he’s ready.

“Well, I can’t wait to go visit you at... What’s the town’s name again?” Bella asks.

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