Page 68 of A Sinner's Truth

Chapter Thirty-One

Gio smirks. I see the amusement in his eyes while his gaze is focused on the screen to my left that shows the CCTV footage of the house. “Your wife is trying to leave,” he tells me.

My head snaps to the side. And, sure enough, Aria is at the front gates. Arguing with the guys on guard. They’re not letting her through. My phone buzzes in my pocket.

“Hello?” I answer, not taking my eyes off the screen as I stand.

“Santo, your wife wants to leave. Do we let her out?” Franko asks.

“Fuck no. Do not open those fucking gates. I’m coming,” I yell through the phone.

“You holding her hostage now?” Gio lifts a curious eyebrow. It’s clear he’s trying not to laugh.

“Someone killed her father two weeks ago. I’m not letting her out by herself when there’s a possible target on her back,” I tell him.

“So, how’s this fake marriage working out for you?”

“Fucking perfect. It’s not fake anymore.” I smile. I’m fucking proud that Aria is my wife.

“Didn’t think so. You might want to get out there before she hurts one of them.” He nods to the screen, where Aria is shoving at Franko’s chest. The guy’s not stupid. He doesn’t lay a hand on her and just takes the abuse.

By the time I get to the gate, Aria is screaming at the top of her lungs. “Let me the fuck out, idiot! You can’t keep me in here!”

“Going somewhere, darling?” I ask from behind her. She didn’t hear me approach.

She pivots on a heel before I’m greeted with a very pissed-off Aria, and my dick hardens. I know there’s something fucking wrong with me. “I’m going out to meet a friend for lunch and your stupid henchmen won’t let me out!” she hisses. “Why is that, Santo? Are you trying to hold me here against my will?”

I bend at the waist, pick her up, throw her over my shoulder, and storm towards the garage. If she’s determined to go out and meet a fucking friend for lunch, then I’m going with her. I don’t want to keep her locked up. I just want to keep her fucking alive.

Aria screams and hits my back the whole trek there. When I set her on her feet again, she stumbles into me before catching herself and shoving at my chest. “What the hell, Santo? I’m not some rag doll you can just throw around how ever you like.”

“You didn’t complain when I threw you around last night,” I remind her.

“That’s different,” she huffs.

“Get in. I’ll take you to your lunch.” I open the passenger-side door.

She crosses her arms over her chest and glares at me. “You weren’t invited.”

“Tough shit. If you want to go out, then I’m coming. I’m not letting you out without security, Aria. Whoever shot your father is still out there somewhere with a vendetta against the Swan name. I’m not taking chances with your life. I need you alive. I cannot lose you. I won’t.” I can feel myself start to spiral into panic mode. Okay, maybe I do want to take her inside and lock her in a room. No one can get to her if she just stays here.

“Do you really think someone is after me?”

“You just inherited your father’s company. Someone is after that company, even if it’s a sinking ship right now,” I tell her.

“Let them have it. I don’t need it,” she says.

“No, you don’t. But it’s yours, and we don’t let people take what’s ours. Are you getting in, or are you calling Drew and cancelling?” I ask her.

“How do you know I’m meeting Drew?”

“You’ve only ever mentioned one friend. Which means, unless you’ve made some new ones, preferably of the female variety, then you’re going to meet Drew right now.” I hate her friendship with that guy. I don’t understand how anyone can be friends with Aria and not want to fuck her.

I’ve watched them together, though. He doesn’t give off the vibe that he’s interested in her like that. Their relationship is very sibling like. It’s fucking odd.

“Okay, you can come, but you need to be nice.” She points a finger at me.

“I’m always nice.” I grab hold of her hand and stare at her bare ring finger. I need to fix this. Now. “Tell Drew you’re gonna be late. We need to make a stop along the way.”

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