Page 53 of Plus-Size Bratva Possession
The table fell silent at his pointed tone. I took a large gulp of wine, wishing I could disappear.
“Interesting,” Federico muttered, giving me a raised eyebrow as though to ask what the hell that was about.
“Perhaps you two should plan a holiday, eh? You never did have a honeymoon,” Larissa jumped right in on time, trying to erase the tension in the room.
The conversation shifted to safer topics, but the strange vibes remained. I caught Gastone watching Gio with such a flash of hatred that it made my blood run cold. If what he believed was true, if Gio had ordered the hit on Adriana...
No. I couldn't think about that now. Not like this, with my family present.
By the time dessert was served, my brothers had moved on to discussing the stock market, while Gastone sat in silence, nursing his scotch. Larissa kept throwing him worried looks.
After dessert, we moved to the living room. Gastone excused himself to take a call, and that was when my brothers pounced.
“What the hell is going on with you two?” Achille demanded. “You're hardly talking to each other, let alone anyone else.”
“What? Nothing!” I protested.
“You look like you’re scared of him,” Caspian said, his voice deadly serious. “Like you’re scared he’s going to lose it or something.”
“Is he hurting you?” Dante jumped to a ridiculous conclusion.
“He is most certainlynot,” I insisted, surprised by my own vehemence. “He's never hurt me. Not once.”
My brothers exchanged skeptical glances.
“He kidnapped you,” Gio reminded me.
“I know what he did,” I said. “But he's... he's not what you think he is.”
“What is he like, then?” Federico asked, his tone gentler than the others. “He treating you well?”
I sighed, thinking of Gastone making me coffee in the mornings. Gastone defending my honor at the club. Gastone reading beside me on the couch, his feet in my lap.
Despite everything, I felt a surge of affection for him. He'd endured this dinner for me, even knowing what it cost him to sit across from the men he believed had stolen his future.
“He’s good,” I said finally. “He's complicated, but good. You have to know him to believe me. He’s got the kindest heart for his men and his employees. I’ve never seen loyalty like the kind he exhibits. He listens. Actually, truly listens to what I have to say, and even if he doesn’t agree with my plans, he never stops me from doing what I want. He treats me like an equal. He never patronizes, and you know what? He’s just having a bad day,so back off, all of you!”
I said the last words with a bite.
“Okay, okay,” said Caspian reluctantly, sensing I was getting wired up. Gio looked conflicted, but he walked off with Caspian.
When all the rest had scattered, Federico stayed behind and studied me, then glanced toward the door to the study. “Can we talk? Alone?”
I nodded, following him into Caspian's study. He closed the door behind us.
“What's really going on, Elena? You're not yourself.”
I hesitated, torn between loyalty to my family and the growing need to know the truth.
“Did we ever...” I swallowed hard. “Did we ever target Gastone through a woman?”
Federico's brow furrowed. “What are you talking about?”
“Three years ago,” I continued, my voice barely above a whisper. “A woman named Adriana Moretti. She was pregnant.”
My brother seemed genuinely surprised. “Adriana, of course. He told you about her? You two must be getting quite close.”
I felt a chill down my spine.
