Page 24 of Morally Gray Daddies

That made him laugh, even as the pounding on his door intensified. I really wanted to kick him, but it was impossible in my current position. The knocking stopped as suddenly as it had started.

“Gio, let her in. She’s not going to rest until she talks to Clara.” That was Hailey’s husband, Jack.

I winced, wondering what Jack had told her. Obviously, enough to have her come running to Gio’s room this morning. I just hoped she didn’t know what he’d done to me last night. I couldn’t bear her knowing, especially not how much I’d enjoyed it.

Shaking his head, Gio pulled away from me, letting my legs drop to the bed before he pulled the sheet up over my body. It didn’t nearly replace the warmth of his body, leaving me feeling cold.

“Hey!” I stared at him, aghast. “You have to untie me!” I started wiggling, tugging at the strap around my wrist. He snorted, ignoring me as he grabbed a robe from somewhere—I was too busy trying to escape to pay attention from where. I just saw it as he walked across the floor to open the door. “Don’t you dare!”

My shriek was ignored as he opened the door, and Hailey flew in. She came to an immediate halt, staring as her mouth dropped open in shock at the sight of me in the bed, the sheet pulled up over my breasts, hands still bound to the headboard by Gio’s belt. It was clear I was naked, even with the sheet, and it didn’t help that Gio was strutting around in his plush maroon robe like a bright sign that proclaimed we’d been indecent.

Hailey’s husband was right behind her, and his eyebrows rose up on his face as he took in the sight. I blushed red hot, averting my gaze from his. I had a feeling he knew exactly how indecent his cousin had been with me last night.

At least I didn’t see Tomas. I wasn’t sure I could handle him being there on top of everything else that was happening.

Steeling myself, I gave Hailey my most piteous look.

“Help me!”

Step one: get my hands free.

Step two: convince Hailey to help me escape.

I didn’t want to leave her behind, but she seemed to be doing alright for herself for now. I could always watch her from afar if I needed to. At the moment, I needed to save my own skin.

To my surprise, she didn’t fly to my side. Instead, she put her hands on her hips and scowled at me.

“You’ve been stealing from me!”

“I have not!” Though, as soon as the words were out of my mouth, I realized that wasn’t technically true. I had been stealing from her family, which was her by proxy. But I didn’t truly consider her a DiNardo.

“Gio, why don’t you join me out in the hall? We’ll give the girls a moment to chat,” Jack said, gesturing to his cousin.

Gio shot me a warning look, as if reminding me to be good. My bottom clenched, but I pretended to ignore him, focusing my gaze on Hailey as if I didn’t see him.

Huffing, she came over and sat down on the bed beside me, shifting the sheets over my breasts so the fabric rubbed against my hard nipples. A blush heated my cheeks. Thankfully, she didn’t seem to notice. She was too preoccupied being annoyed with me.

Still frowning, she looked me over and shook her head.

“I can’t believe you’ve been moonlighting as a thief. And you’ve been stealing from us!” Her voice remained at a normal volume.

I responded in a whisper, hoping that the men wouldn’t be able to hear me. They were right beside the open door, but they were talking to each other in low enough voices that I couldn’t make out their words, so hopefully, the reverse would be true.

“I’m sorry, okay? I was mad about them making you marry Jack. But Hailey, you have to help me.” I jerked my arms, making the headboard rattle. “Look at what he’s done to me!”

Pressing her lips together, Hailey glanced over her shoulder before returning her gaze to me.

“I don’t know if I can,” she whispered. “Do you understand how much trouble you’re in? Jack’s father was livid about the thefts. He wanted an example made out of you before he knew it was you. You’re lucky Gio was willing to step up to claim you.”

“Lucky?” I jerked my hands again in case she’d missed the fact that he’d tied me to his bed.

To my surprise, as her gaze flicked up to my bound wrists, she started to blush.

“If you knew what Jack put me through…” Her mutter trailed off.

My eyes widened. Maybe the cousins were more alike than I’d realized. What things had Jack put Hailey through?

And yet, she said she loved him.

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