Page 44 of Forbidden Billionaire Next Door

I make waffles for Taylor and while he is gobbling them down, covered in way too much syrup, Gianna arrives, ready for our day at the zoo.

Taylor can hardly contain his excitement on the drive to the zoo. He is laughing and wiggling in his car seat in the back of the car. Gianna is sitting next to me in the front; my hand on her leg and her fingers locked in mine. I don't recall ever feeling happier.

This is the future I want. This is the future I have always wanted but did not know I could have.

* * *

After an amazing day at the zoo, we drop Taylor at home with his nanny and head out for a romantic dinner at one of my favorite restaurants in the city.

Everything about today is perfect. I sit across from Gianna, mesmerized by her beauty, both inside and out. How have I been so lucky to meet her, even with everything that happened to try and tear us apart here we still were. My heart is filled with happiness, hope, and love.

Dinner comes to a relaxed end, and I take her hand as we walk down to where the car is parked.

As we step out of the restaurant building and onto the busy city street, we are both in for a surprise. An unfortunate one.

My brother.

I know I have promised my mother that I will reconcile with him, but now is not the time or the place. I only want to focus on Gianna and enjoy being with her, not face my brother and the trouble that always follows him around.

"Hudson!" He oozes fakery.

"Daniel." I nod, barely smiling. Gianna remains as silent as midnight in the desert. Her green eyes are almost icy as she gazes at him.

Daniel points his chin in her direction. "Still fooling around with this one, eh?" I'm not fooling.

"Daniel, I will only ask you once to show respect. Yes, Gianna and I are together."

Daniel laughs. It is a cold, nasty laugh. I can smell the alcohol on his breath even though he is not standing that close to me.

"Well, brother" he snorts "You can have my sloppy leftovers. I'm done with her anyway. Unless you want another ride, sweetheart." He turns towards Gianna and grabs her ass.

My vision goes dark. I lunge towards him knocking him off his feet. He keeps laughing until I land a solid punch across his jaw.

"Fuck you, Hudson!" he screams and throws a punch from the ground, missing by a fraction. His drunken state and position on the floor do not help his situation.

But his mouth keeps running "That little slut is only good for one thing! Eating cock! Apart from that she is nothing but trash!"

I punch him three more times in the face before he stops talking. Then I realize Gianna is shouting at me. She is trying to pull me off him. A crowd is standing around watching us, cell phones in hand and obviously recording everything.

Then suddenly two large men pull me off Daniel. Police.

Fuck!

They are handcuffing me and mumbling some legal jargon that I have no care for. Daniel is laughing again. Fuck. I want to break out of these handcuffs and smash him in the face again.

Gianna is frantic. "He was defending me. Please. He isn't the one who started it."

The cop says, "Don't worry ma'am; we are arresting them both."

I turn to Gianna, "Take the keys out of my pocket. You will need them to drive home. My lawyer's name is Tony Gardane. Please call him." Then the police lead me away and as I am guided into their police car, I can't take my eyes off Gianna. She looks so disappointed, and it breaks my heart.

CHAPTER19

GIANNA

It is almost three in the morning when Hudson's lawyer finally sorts out bail and his release. I am furious. I am angry and exhausted and that is not a good mix. I want to yell at Hudson about how hot-headed and stupid he had been, but now is not the time or place and I do not have the energy.

He walks out of the holding cell area and comes to wrap his arms around me, whispering in my ear "I am so sorry, Baby."

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