Page 30 of Cruel Secrets

“You’re dead when I get my hands on you. I’m not going to let you take them from me.”

“You’re not going to do shit about it.” He nods to Gia as she comes down the stairs again, this time with a diaper bag slung over one shoulder and Bianca in her arms.

Bianca reaches for me and for a second, my life flashes before my eyes. He’s going to take her, and I don’t know what’s going to happen to the two of them when he does.

Jace looks between me and Bianca, his eyes narrowing. His lips press together, glancing back and forth as understanding dawns in his eyes.

Fuck.

If he doesn’t see the resemblance, he’d have to be stupid. As soon as I looked at her, I knew she was mine and I wasn’t seeing us standing beside each other.

He says nothing about it, which only worries me more.

Gia pauses and glances down at me, the look in her eyes softening for a moment. It’s gone in the same instant, the emotion draining from her face and her arms tightening around Bianca.

I swallow hard, trying to clear what feels like shattered glass lodged in my throat as I look at Bianca. “You’re going to regret going with him. He’s going to take you back to Noah, and then what are you going to do?”

“I don’t know, but it has to be better than here.”

“You’re not the woman I thought you were if you believe that.” I grab the railing, pulling to my feet one last time, hoping that it’s enough even though I feel like I’m going to pass out. “You’re on your fucking own, Gia. That’s it. You’re fucking done.”

“You never knew me, remember?” She spits the words out, stepping farther away from me, taking my daughter out of my life once more.

There’s no way to make Gia see the mistake she’s making.

Her gaze drops to the blood-soaked shirt tied around my thigh. “I hope you survive that, for what it’s worth. I don’t think you deserve to die.”

Jace chuckles. “How touching. He’s going to die eventually. You didn’t think that Noah was going to leave him alive after abducting his sister and niece, did you?”

“Please,” Gia says, a hint of urgency in her voice. “Let’s just leave. You know his family is likely going to be on their way here and we need to go before they arrive.”

He motions to the door. “Go get in the car.”

“You first.” Gia turns her back to me, shifting slightly so she’s standing in between me and Jace. “I know that despite Noah’s orders, you’re going to try and kill him before we leave.”

“And you think that standing in the way is going to stop me? Your brother will get over the death of one Lynde.”

If I could take a step forward without falling, I would throw him to the ground.

Before I do anything, Gia’s fist shoots out and she catches Jace straight in the nose. There’s a crunch as her fist connects with the cartilage. Blood trickles from his nostril as he groans.

“You didn’t have to fucking break my nose.” His voice is nasal as he presses his hands to either side of his nose and moves it back into place.

Gia shakes out her fist as Bianca starts to cry. “Noah gave you orders. You follow them the same as anyone else, so let’s go. Otherwise, you can explain to him why I broke your nose.”

Jace looks like he’s seconds away from lunging at her, but he holds himself back.

I’d find a way to kill him if he hurts her. I don’t care that I’m bleeding out.

Gia waits until Jace leaves the house before looking down at me again. Something in her eyes softens as she crouches down, her hand hovering close to me like she’s going to touch me. “I don’t know if your family is on the way, but I hope that they find you soon for Bianca’s sake.”

She pulls her hand back, regret crossing her face. In that moment, I don’t think I’ve hated her more. She’s choosing to leave again. Killing Jace would’ve been simple, but she’s a coward. A coward who would rather leave me dying on the floor than put a bullet through the people who want to oppress her.

As she walks out the door, there’s a small part of me that’s impressed with how ruthless she is.

When we were dating all those years ago, I didn’t think she had it in her. I thought she was far removed from the mafia life. I should’ve seen this coming when I told her who I was and what my family did and she remained unbothered.

If Aiden ever finds out that I overlooked checking into her and finding out exactly who she was, he’s never going to forgive me.

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