Page 104 of Naughty Santa Daddy

Hadley glances from Gio to me. When I don’t answer, the tears that had been gathering moments ago break free, strolling down her cheeks.

I squeeze her, needing to comfort her in some small way.

With a shaky voice, she begins to piece things together one by one. “You knew. Is this why you’ve been coming to the diner? Have you been watching me? Butwhy?”

I’m about to answer, but Gio bursts out, interrupting again, “He’s been trying to find out who the traitor in his ranks is.” He lets loose a laugh; it’s more sinister than anything I’ve heard before. “You call yourselfthe Boss, but you didn’t even know that I’ve been running this other enterprise behind your back. We’ve both been running this.” With the confession, Gio’s gaze falls on his brother. It’s at this moment that he finally realizeshis brother is dead, not merely knocked out. I’d punched him out cold before Hadley shot his brother.

“No! What the fuck? Gaspare, Gaspare!” Gio’s face morphs from shock to downright murderous. “They will come for you. You will pay for this.”

His claim immediately has my attention peaking. “Whowill come for me? Please, Gio, do tell me. I thoughtyouran the show?”

Gio furiously spits, “I’ve been running the trafficking since before you became Boss.”

I can’t hold onto my cool any longer; I snap. “Cazzo! That can’t be.”

Gio laughs, mockingly once again. I really fucking hate this guy. “Yeah, you and Miro were too fucking stupid. Matteo knew his family would disapprove, so he set up a side hustle that no one could link back to the Uccello family. Gaspare and I have been running this ring for years.”

I interrupt him, “So if you run it, who will come for me?”

Gio keeps chuckling, gasping in between while I lunge forward and plant my fist into his gut. “The buyers,” he finally confesses after I’ve inflicted some fresh pain on him.

“Who else works with you or knows about this?” I demand.

“It’s all me and my brother. I told you already. We trust no one,” Gio says with pride. This stupid fucker has signed his death wish, giving me all the details I’ve been searching for.

Big John is on his phone, nodding to silently let me know he needs to talk to me.

Hadley steps forward, leaving my embrace. I let her go, even though the last thing I want is distance of any kind between us. She shifts closer to Gio, her gun thankfully still in her hand. “Did you know Gaspare used to visit me at all my foster care homes? He would—” she makes quotation marks with her fingers and the gun, “check-up on me.”

Gio’s lips lift into a smirk once more. He’s too cocky for his own good. “Who do you think sent him?”

She steps even closer to him. “So you know he wouldterrorizeme? I was so afraid my dad or Gaspare would find me for years.”

He snickers, wheezing from my hits. This motherfucker needs to die. Everyone in the room is stone silent, watching the events unfold in front of us. I hate this for my woman, but at the same time she needs to know.

“I guess I have nothing else to say to you then.” She straightens, her spine suddenly turning to steel, and she momentarily meets my gaze. I’m about to reach for her but pause as she lifts her hand and lets multiple bullets pepper him.

A tense but relieved breath escapes me, and the worry I’d been wearing fades once more. The next time she flicks her eyes to mine, I offer her a gentle smile. I love her, I’m proud of her, but worry over how everything is affecting her also plagues me.

“I’m sorry.” She whispers the apology. She has no need for it.

I reach for her as she lowers the gun. “Why would you ever be sorry? I’m more in love with you now than ever before.”

My admission shocks her. “You love me?” she asks, her voice shaky with emotion.

Pulling her to my chest, my arms circle her as I admit, “More than I’d like but fuck yes.”

She drops the gun to our feet, her arms moving to embrace me. Staring over her shoulder, I order, “Clean this up. Afterwards, go home for the holiday if you can.” We’ve been snowed in, but it’s beginning to melt enough for people to finally be able to leave.

Big John strides toward us, pausing, so I give him a nod to say whatever it is he needs to tell me.

“It’s done,” he says after a beat.

Hearing that makes me squeeze Hadley tighter. The man she thought was her father is now dead, as are these two brothers… in fact, everyone involved with her being taken and sold or inhurting her has been eliminated. I’ve expunged the traitors from my organization while, at the same time, protecting my woman.

“Thank you. Go home and be with your woman,” I order.

Emilio walks up next and pats me on the back. He knows how stressful this has been. We can finally catch our breath and spend the rest of the holiday with my son. They all deserve more than this nonstop danger, and I plan to do my best to give it to them.

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