Page 39 of Ruthless Boss

Then what?

She wants to leave. Start a new life. Without me. Why would she want to include me, with all the complications that come with my family name and occupation? And AJ? Gia’s young—she doesn’t want the responsibilities of a stepdaughter.

I catch myself. Stepdaughter? What’s going on?

Gia is my hostage. Even if I want her to have a new life, like she deserves, being part of it doesn’t make any sense. I never wanted any committed relationship before. Why start now? Why her?

Because Gia is different, a voice inside me says.

She cries in my arms, more quietly now, her face buried in my shoulder. Her tears dampen my skin, and I caress her naked back, hoping to soothe her.

Her husband will get what he deserves—I’ll make sure of it. But death won’t make up for all the pain he put her through.

“You are brave. You killed your stepfather,” I say, running my fingers through her hair. “That takes a lot, especially when you’ve never done it before.”

A long pause stretches between us.

“How do you know?” she asks, breaking the silence.

“I can hear it in your voice,” I say.

She raises her head and looks at me, her face blotched, her eyes reddening, and her hair messy. And she’s still fucking stunning. “I’m sorry I got you and AJ into this mess. She doesn’t deserve it.”

I can’t resist outlining her jaw with my fingers. I’m aware I shouldn’t send her mixed messages, but how can I follow the rules if she makes me feel like breaking all of them? “The mess was already there. You just stirred it a bit.”

She shrugs, and I doubt she believes me. “Who has her?”

“She’s with Massimo and his family. She’s fine.” An uneasy sensation crawls under my skin. I trust my brother to keep my daughter safe, but not enough to share Gia’s true identity.

She sighs, looking away. “I miss her.”

“Me too.” I wish I had comforting words, but I can't lie to her, even as confused as I am.

“Does Massimo know?”

“No. Rocco hasn’t told him yet.”

“Maybe I can talk to your brothers. Explain my side,” she says, her eyes pleading.

“Maybe,” I lie, then shame crosses my chest. The image of her trying to explain her side to my brothers, Massimo especially, sends a shot of anxiety into my veins.

I carefully disengage from her, creating space, and slide off the bed. “But now is not the time. I need to run some errands. I’ll leave you here for a couple of hours. No one is allowed inside.”

I rush to my office and flick on my screen even if I can’t focus enough to read anything. I need to get my head straight. I have weapons shipments coming in a couple of weeks, and money transfers must be made. Contacts need to be activated. Fuck.

I hear footsteps approaching, but I know my security team would never let a stranger inside without checking first. Soon, Rocco pops his head into my office, then walks in and plops on the chair in front of me.

“Any news?” He loosens the collar of his black shirt and shoots me the glance of someone losing patience.

I square my shoulders. “Nope. You?”

He frowns, leaning into the desk. “You mean you talked to her all this time and didn’t extract any information from her?”

I clear my throat. “It’s complicated.”

“Complicated?” He shakes his head. The atmosphere shifts, tension thickening the air. “You fucked her, didn’t you?”

I clear my throat. “That doesn’t have anything to do with our problem.”

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