“Stay,” I say.
Adela raises an eyebrow, but she eases back into her chair.
I put a plate of food in front of Gia. “Eat. Then, we will talk.”
I want her fed before I speak and she storms out without eating. Dante left her far too skinny.
She rolls her eyes at me. “No, talk.”
“No, not until you eat.”
She pouts, sticking her bottom lip out roughly toward me.
“I’ll eat while you talk.”
I sigh. “Fine.”
I wait until she has eaten a couple of good bites, and then I start.
“Gia, this is Adela, my sister,” I say, gesturing toward Adela.
Adela jumps in, like the good sister she is, and holds out her hand. “It’s so nice to meet you, Gia. You are such an amazing woman, and I’ve heard so many great things about you. I’ve always wanted a sister. I know you aren’t exactly my sister, but I hope you don’t date this guy,” she says, pointing her thumb at me. “He’s a bit of an asshole, but you already know that. I’m just so happy to see a woman in his life at all.”
Adela speaks without taking a breath. But Gia smiles as she shakes her hand.
“It’s very nice to meet you too, Adela.”
Gia lets go of Adela’s hand and turns to me with an evil grin on her face. She slaps me hard across the jaw.
“You are worse than an asshole. You are a motherfucking jerk-bastard-man who deserves to get shot repeatedly in the leg every few weeks, just after you heal.”
I nod. “Jerk-bastard-man?” I smile a little at her new nickname for me.
“Yes, that’s what I said, and I stand by it.”
She crosses her arms. “I can’t fucking believe you. You led me to believe you were going to hurt her. She’s your sister! I know you are a bastard, but I don’t think you would ever rape your sister.”
Adela eyes me suspiciously.
“Really, Adela?”
She laughs. “No, I don’t have to worry about that. You would never rape any woman.” Adela glances between Gia and me, her smile faltering. “Wait! Did you rape Gia?”
I turn from Adela to Gia. “That’s what we need your help with Adela.”
“What? Did you rape her last night?”
“No,” Gia and I both say in unison.
Adela visibly relaxes in her chair, her body sinking into the wicker and cushions. “Thank God! If I had thought you would have actually have raped her last night, I would have never left you alone with her.”
I shift my weight in my chair, not letting her know I almost did rape Gia. But Gia again saved herself. I’m not as good of a person as Adela thinks I am. I don’t deserve any of the affection Adela gives me.
“How can I help then?” Adela asks.
“Where was I last Tuesday?”
Adela narrows her eyes. “What time?”