Page 62 of Corrupted Memories
“He hid her well. I need to find out how exactly, so I can prevent it from ever happening again.”
Gio still looks suspicious, but doesn’t say anything more. Luca stands, tucking his shirt in. “You’re welcome to wander the premises. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
I should be offended by his sudden dismissal, but I don’t have time as he storms out the door. Gio sighs,muttering something about a woman before nodding at us and following him.
Nico turns to me with raised eyebrows. “Well, okay then?”
My shoulders shake with laughter. “I think that girl is causing more trouble than he can handle.”
“Doesn’t seem like he can handle much,” Nico mutters.
“Hmm.” I push off the couch. “I think he’s tired, and some things he’s decided aren’t worth the fight or attention. His family is the only one standing for a reason.”
He frowns, but doesn’t question me as we walk out of the club to head home. As soon as we climb into the car, Nico’s phone rings and we pause. A slithering feeling that we’re being watched crawls over my skin.
Pulling it out of his pocket, his jaw tenses then he answers, putting it on speaker. “What can I do for you, Declan?”
“How is she?”
I relax a bit, knowing the eyes on us are probably from the Irish’s hacker genius. The Daghda brotherhood might be feared throughout the world for their ruthlessness, but many dismiss the scariestman of the bunch. Declan could destroy millions of lives with a push of a button.
“Fine. Help was offered and she declined. Nothing else was exchanged,” I say.
He blows out a breath. “And there were no signs of… uh—” The poor man can’t even fathom the thought of abuse. Why’d they send her if they thought she was weak?
“Not that we could see,” Nico explains.
My lips quirk with humor about being the middleman for both criminal organizations. Perhaps the neutrality of Manhattan works a little too well.
“We didn’t have much time or privacy to converse, but she is alive and she seems fine. Tell Rian that’s all I was able to gather, and I suggest letting her do whatever she was sent to do,” I say with finality. There’s no point of dragging this conversation out when there’s nothing more I can provide. I hadn’t planned on seeing the girl to begin with, and wasn’t prepared to offer help even if she had agreed to it.
Declan grunts a “thanks” and hangs up.
Nico shoves his phone away and grips the steering wheel. “This has been the strangest night.”
I laugh. “I’ve kind of felt like a personal liaison between the Irish and Italians. Maybe we should open up another company. Advice for Made Men.”
He snorts. “Mafia for dummies.”
“Let’s get home and hope we don’t have to return any time soon.”
“Still mad at me?” I ask, keeping my voice light with humor.
Gianna looks up from her book with a raised, singular eyebrow. “Always.”
I smile, pull the silk ties out of my pocket, and hold them up for her. “What about now?”
Her heated eyes take them in, her breathing shallowing. She swallows and then sets her book on the nightstand.
“Are they…”
“The ones we bought together the month after I took your virginity? Yeah.”
Gianna turns her head away from me, staring at the wall before briefly closing her eyes. “I don’t understand you.”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
She blows out a breath, looking back at me with tear filled eyes. “You spent years hunting me down, your whole life is drenched in our memories, but you refuse to tell me why. You refuse to discuss howyou feel about me. Is this just a game to you? Something that got away, and you weren’t done playing so now the thrill of the chase has consumed you?”
