Page 74 of A Sinner's Truth

I know he’ll keep her occupied for a few minutes. He knows exactly what I just did by leaving when he walked in. I think out of all of my brothers, Aria seems to like to talk to Gabe the most. He’s easygoing, always fucking happy, and he’s the fixer. When something is wrong, he’s the one everyone turns to.

When I find Gio in his office alone, I thank whatever god is watching over me right now. I close the door behind me, and my brother looks up from his desk. “Anything?” I ask him.

“We think we have something. I’ve sent Marcel and Vin to confirm.”

“What is it?”

“There’re rumours Oliver has taken refuge in a biker clubhouse,” Gio says.

“A biker clubhouse? That doesn’t seem like something a trust-fund brat would do.” I sit down in one of the chairs opposite my brother’s desk.

“It’s not. Which is why I’ve sent Marcel and Vin to check it out,” Gio says in such a matter-of-fact tone.

“Thanks. Let me know as soon asyou know. I need to get my hands on this fucker.” I push up from the chair, ready to walk out.

The sound of Gio’s voice stops me in my tracks. “You’re going to have to figure out how to get her to let you leave for longer than two minutes to do that.”

“I have. Her friend is coming to stay here tomorrow.” I’m hoping that with Drew here, Aria will be preoccupied, and I can do my fucking job and get rid of the threat.

“You’re having another man move into the house with your wife? You’re either stupid or you have way too much trust in that fucker,” Gio says.

“I don’t trust him. He jumped in front of a gun for her, though. That’s gotta mean something. Besides, I’ll assign someone to watch his room. I’m not going to let myself be made a fool of twice,” I grunt.

“Shelli didn’t make a fool of you, Santo. She made a fool of herself.”

I nod in response, even though I don’t agree with his perception on the matter. As I’m walking down the hall, I spot Aria making her way towards me. Gabe is behind her, giving me thatI triedlook.

Chapter Thirty-Four

“Are you sure you’re comfortable?” I ask Drew for the tenth time.

“Aria, stop fussing. It’s weird and creeping me out,” he tells me. “I’m fine.”

“I’ll let you two catch up. I’ve got some work to do. I’ll be in Gio’s office if you need me,” Santo calls out from where he’s standing by the door, watching us.

I spin around. My palms get sweaty and my pulse increases. I don’t like being away from him. I need him. The only time I feel safe is when my husband is within arm’s reach. Although Drew’s the one who jumped in front of me and saved me that day, there is something about Santo that just makes me feel safe. I know it’s irrational. I’m fine here. No one is getting into this fortress of a house. But the thought of Santo leaving me has me spiralling.

Santo closes the distance and pulls me against his chest. “I’m not leaving. I’ll be right down the hall, and this door stays the fuck open,” he says.

“You’ll be just down the hall. It’s fine,” I repeat more to myself than to him. The moment he walks out, I turn back to Drew. I need to be a better friend. “So, what do you want to do?”

“What’s wrong with you?” Drew asks.

“What do you mean?” I try to feign ignorance, but I’m not fooling him.

“Why are you afraid? Has he done something?” Drew tries to push himself up on the bed.

“Lay your ass down. He hasn’t done anything. It’s me,” I tell him. “I don’t like being separated from Santo. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Whenever he leaves the room, I panic.”

“That’s understandable. You had someone try to shoot you, Aria,” Drew says.

“Yeah, but you were actually shot and you’re fine,” I point out. “You’re not jumping at your own shadow.”

“The fucker wasn’t aiming for me. I’m just glad he got me, instead of you.” Drew smiles. “Besides, this scar is going to work wonders on the chicks.”

I shake my head at him. “How do you make everything come back to girls and sex? Seriously, it’s concerning.”

“It’s easy when you like sex.” Drew laughs.

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