“Most assumptions made about me are true. What you see is what you get.” I take out my phone and pretend to ignore her, showing her how much of an asshole I am. I don’t need her smooth words, or even her friendship.
I need her wet pussy.
I close my eyes and mentally shake my head. I want more than that from her. How the hell did I get myself into this situation?
I take a risk and open my eyes. She’s facing away from me, staring out the window into the darkness. I stare at the shape of her neck, wishing I had the right to touch it. Kiss it. My gaze drops to her shoulders, hunched and defeated.
I did this. I took the life and spirit away from her. I need her to truly trust me, or my plan won’t work. While she says she does, her actions speak otherwise. Maybe she will, if I can keep my dick in my pants.
Her trust is paramount in order for me to execute stage one next week. This trip is two-fold. A hide out away from Lorenzo and his men, and a chance to work on Gia, convince her of the show she must put on. I need her to be strong and brave. I’m doing a helluva job building up her confidence.
Twenty minutes later, the driver pulls into the estate. Marco gets out of the car and punches in the code to the gate and we make our way down the long drive. I watch as Gia sits up straighter, straining to see our surroundings. The sun has set, and the trees make it hard to see the grounds.
When the house comes into view, she gasps. “Stone.” She blindly reaches for my hand and squeezes it. “You brought me to my mother.”
She covers her mouth with her free hand and turns to me. Tears glisten in her eyes. A crying woman is not a strong woman. Shit. I failed again.
“Thank you.” She releases my hand then scoots across the emptiness between us and gives me a hug.
People don’t hug me. Elena, sometimes. Mostly it’s the obligatory greeting kiss on the cheek. I don’t do affection. Gia releases me before I’m ready and jumps out of the limo. By the time Marco is at my door, she’s already on the front steps and at the door.
I see her try the door then turn to us in frustration. “It’s locked.”
“As it should be.”
“Does she know I’m here?”
“Only if you told her on the plane.” I enter the code into the front door and push it open, letting Gia enter first.
“I didn’t know...” She takes a step into the house then faces me. “Why didn’t you tell me we were coming here?”
“The element of surprise.” It’s all I can say without lying to her. I don’t want her to worry about her or her mother’s safety.
She curls her lips in and gives me a sad yet hopeful smile. “Thank you.” She takes two steps then calls out. “Mama?”
I follow her through the grand entryway and down the hall to the kitchen. It’s as if she’s been in the house before, knowing where to search.
“Gia? Mi figlia? My baby?” I hear her mother say.
“Mama. Surprise.”
I watch as they embrace, Gia seemingly more affected by their reunion than her mother. Evangeline is happy, no doubt, but her dementia and memory loss have her unaware of the danger she and her daughter have been in.
“You got the day off work?” she asks, dropping her arms to her side. “That’s good. You work too much.”
Evangeline notices me before I can slip down the hall to the study.
“You’re Gia’s boss?”
We haven’t discussed what our story will be. My men have briefed the staff. They’re aware Gia is my wife. I don’t want to risk the possibility that they’ve heard of our marriage and give them something to gossip about with us sleeping in different rooms. They were told that Gia and I are pretending to be boss and employee so as not to stress or confuse her mother.
I’d much rather be posing as her husband, sleeping in her bed. No, not sleeping. I don’t need the comfort of a woman all night. An hour. Two tops.
I avoid Gia’s questioning amber eyes and focus on Evangeline. “It’s nice to meet you, Evangeline. According to your daughter, you walk on water.” I pick up her hand and kiss her knuckles, giving Gia a side glance. See? I’m not always an asshole. “Gia convinced me to give her a working vacation. I promised her time with you, but I’ll need to steal her away from time to time so we don’t fall behind with our work.”
“Oh, that’s quite gracious of you...”
“Stone.” I don’t offer my last name in case she has a moment of recollection. “I’ll leave you two for the night. Gia, we’ll meet in the study tomorrow morning at eight.” I leave the two women to have their alone time.