Page 12 of Gio

He laughed again, loud and raucous. “Hang on,” he said and then the call dropped.

I stared at the phone with a frown and then back at my reflection. I looked ridiculous in this damn suit. It was navy blue with something Harper called a shawl lapel which she insisted made my jaw look sharper. Whatever the fuckthatmeant. Not that I gave a damn. The suit was to help me blend in so I could keep her safe, otherwise it was a waste of fucking money.

The phone rang again and when I looked at the screen I laughed out loud. “A video call, really?”

Cole shrugged. “I had to see this shit for myself. You haven’t dressed up like this since prom.”

“Yeah, and I got Tina DiMarzio’s cherry for the effort.” Which, of course, made me think of Harper and her cherry.

“Turn around and let me see all of you.” He motioned with his index finger for me to spin and I flipped him off. “Aw, you do look pretty.”

I flipped him off again. “Jealous?”

“Fuck no. I’m glad it’s you though. Harper is comfortable with you, so this won’t be too awkward.” He paused for a beat, his smile fading. “How’s she holding up?”

“Harper is strong, but she’s scared shitless even though she won’t say it. She’s listening to me which should tell you everything you need to know.”

“You couldn’t get her to stay home from this gala shit,” he added with raised brows.

“It’s her work, man. Not worth the argument.” She would’ve been devastated if I pushed the issue. “Plus I got this dope ass suit.”

A knocked sounded on the door and then it opened behind me. “Hey, are you ready?” Harper’s husky voice sounded slightly shy when she stepped inside.

I turned to face her and nearly swallowed my tongue. “Damn Harp, you look—”

“Watch it,” Cole’s voice came from the speaker.

“Nice,” I added with a side smile only she could see. “Really fucking nice.”

A sexy as fuck blush stained her throat and her cheeks. “Thanks. That suit fits you perfectly.”

I turned the phone towards her so that I could take my time and drink in the sight of her in that sparkly black dress that skimmed her mid-thigh, leaving miles of toned legs on display. The top showed off more cleavage than I expected her to have and nothing, but a pair of thin straps kept the damn thing decent. And those shoes? Holy fuck they were open toe with a thick ankle strap and a bow that made me think about how much I’d like tying her up. “Wow,” I mouthed to her as she and Cole chatted.

“I’m fine,” she assured her protective older brother. “Gio’s been good to me and he’s not nearly as annoying as you.”

“Aw, honey, I knew you cared.”

She rolled her eyes. “We have to get going, Cole. I’ll call you when all this madness is over. Love you.”

“Love you more. Take care of her,” he called out, presumably to me.

I tucked the phone in my jacket and stared at Harper until she looked away. “Harper you look hot as fuck.”

“Thanks,” she whispered. “So do you.”

“Yeah?” I went to her, desperate to be closer even though I shouldn’t. “Then you won’t have a problem pretending to be attracted to me.” My hand instinctively went to her lower back as we left my temporary room, and I didn’t miss the shiver that shook her body.

“Of course I’m attracted to my boyfriend. He’s crazy about me, emphasis on crazy.” Her tone was sarcastic and playful, and I loved it.

“That’s just how I love, babe.”

She laughed and the sound was music to my ears. I walked a little taller as we left the clubhouse.

***

When we arrived at the ballroom, it didn’t escape my attention that all eyes were on her. She was gorgeous with those black tendrils falling around her honeyed shoulders, those big blue eyes expressive and sparkling when she was happy. Plump red lips pursed when she was deep in thought or unhappy about a table arrangement.

Harper was in her element here, rushing around to take care of last-minute details. She wasn’t frantic, she was at ease. She was relaxed because she knew what she was doing, and that was sexier than I thought it would be.

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