Annie’s mouth pops opening into an O with a gasp, but she lets me continue.
“He didn’t get to do whatever he planned, she had friends who figured it out and got her home.”
“Thank god.” Annie exhaled the breath she’d been holding.
“Gemma told us a week later. She was embarrassed. I wanted to fucking kill him on the spot.” I turn to face Annie. “That’s what I do for the people I love, ya know? I kill for them. But this kid, he has a fancy rich father. So he makes everything go away, even my dad can’t get charges brought up against the prick. It probably doesn’t help that cops don’t like our family, and they seem to love the Pearces.”
“What did you do?” Annie asks.
“I didn’t kill him if that’s what you’re thinking.” Her face tells me it was. She’s realizing the type of person I am. The type of monster.
“I wasn’t-”
“It’s fine.” I wave a hand. “We didn’t go after him. But, Gemma’s seeing a different guy now. She thinks it’s love, but it’s not. She just…” I sigh. “She just can’t pick ‘em.”
“How do you know?”
I eye her. “I know. I know this guy, it’s not possible.” Annie looks at me with disbelief. “I was right too,” I add. “It was one of his guys who shot Gian.”
“Oh,” she mouthed. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.” She looks so perfect here in front of me. Even in her pajamas with her hair pulled up and no makeup, she’s absolutely fucking perfect.”Can you help me forget for a minute?”
She looks confused for a second before the recognition sinks in. “I’m still upset.” she tells me.
“I know.” I lean in closer. “Can we forget together?”
Her actions answer me. She leans in and presses her cherry pink lips to mine. I deepened the kiss with brutal force, nipping at her lips. I lift her and position her so she’s straddling me on the couch. With one hand I pull the t-shirt over her head. She has on a lacy pink bralette that does just enough to lift her perfect breasts. I free one, using my hand to guide it to my mouth, sucking her nipple hard enough to make her moan while her hips grind on my cock.
I guide her shorts and panties down and off her legs so I can have unlimited access to her sweet pussy. Using my finger I stroke her folds, finding her wet and ready for me. My little thief is always ready for me.
She runs her soft hands down my abdomen, tracing the outline of my muscles until she reaches the top of my pants. Eagerly, she undoes my buttons and frees my cock. I hook my arms around her waist and guide her onto my length.
Her wet heat feels like heaven and she sinks down. Her pusy grips around my cock and my eyes roll back. She feels so damn good right now.
Licking my lips, I lean back and watching her bounce up and down on my cock. Her tits shake along with her rhythm and her face is pure ecstasy.
I love this sight.
“Fuck, Gio.” She moans.
The sounds are pretty damn good too.
I don’t care what anyone else says, there is nothing as beautiful as Annie Byrne bouncing on my cock.
I keep one hand on her ass, guiding her pace and move the other to her pussy, using my thumb to massage her clit.
“Yes,” she moans. “That’s so good.”
I keep going until she’s panting and breathless above me.
“Please,” she whimpers.
I love when she begs.
“Fuck, baby. Come for me.”
She explodes over the edge of her orgasm, eyes pressed closed, screaming my name. I fucking love her like this. Breathless and out of control.
I fucking love her.
“Why did you come here?” She asks me, drawing circles on my bare chest.
I’m on my back in her bed now staring up at the plain white ceiling. It’s a good question, but I’m not sure if I’m willing to bare my soul to her to answer it. “I felt…” I trail off. I can’t find the word to use here. I felt lost, panicked, in need. “I needed you.” I finally whisper.
“I’m sorry.” She’s sincere, I can tell. She had every right to push me away but instead she brought me in, held me, and weathered the storm.
“Will you come with me?”
“Where?” She props herself up on her elbow so she can look at me.
“The hospital.” My voice is hoarse. “I need to see him.”
I’ve had men in the hospital before. I’ve witnessed my friends get hurt. But Gian? Gian is my best friend in the world, he’s the person I’m closest too. The thought of living without him sparks a pain in my chest. I feel like I can’t breathe.
“Absolutely.” The answer leaves her lips without a thought.
We dress quickly and wordlessly. I drove my father Escalade back to the hospital. There’s still Gian’s blood staining the back of the car. Annie glances at it over her shoulder then straightens herself quickly. She doesn’t say a word, though I know it’s weighing on her.
We enter Providence General holding hands.
It’s us against the world.
Ride or die.
“How is he?” My dad is leaning over a sleeping Gian when we get into his room. He looks up to see me with Annie.
“Stable.” He answers. “Thank god.”
I look up to the sky before making the sign of the cross. I’m not religious, normally. My family is, my mother drug the four of us to church religiously every Sunday. I don’t think any of us have been back since her funeral.
“He’ll make it.” My dad adds. “He’s gonna be a prick about rehab though, hmm?”
I chuckle. “Yeah, he’s gonna hate that shit.” Gian hate’s being told what to do, and he hates being incapable. I can only imagine rehab is going to be a living hell for him and most likely for the therapists too.
Giuseppe stands from the cheap hospital chair, brushing off his black slacks. He’s wearing a white undershirt, the button down he wore earlie is speckled with blood and draped over the back of the chair.
“Annie,” he greets. “Wish it were better circumstances.”
She smiles sheepishly. “Me too.” He pulls her in for a hug and presses a kiss to each of her cheeks.
“Go get some food, dad. We can sit with him for a while.”
He nods in agreement. “Hear from your sister?”
I shake my head no. I don’t even know what I’ll say when I do hear from her, I’m still too angry.
“I’ve called her three times.” Dad says. “It’s not like her.”
“She’s with him?” Annie asks, eliciting a surprised look from my dad but he nods. “If she loves him…” she trails. “She probably feels safe with him. Maybe she needs some space?”
Giuseppe chuckled. “She sounds like your mother.” He smiles at Annie warmly. “I’ll be in the cafeteria.”
I walk over to my brother. He has a private room at least. Gian is still passed out from his surgery, probably pumped full of drugs. His shoulder is wrapped in gauze and he’s tucked into scratchy white sheets. Dad had been right though, nothing vital was hit. They pulled out the bullet and stitched him up. He’d be in pain for a while and have a few weeks of physical therapy for his shoulder and arm, but he’d make it through fine.
Hopefully taking a bullet from the Irish makes him stronger in front of the other men. I can wish at least.
“I’m glad he’s okay.” Annie whispers. She stands close to the door, like she’s ready to run at any moment.
“Me too.”
“We should talk.” She says, her eyes glued to the linoleum floor.
“About what?”
She wraps an arm around her stomach protectively. Her eyes scan the room, looking anywhere but at him. “This…us. You know.”
“I don’t know, Annie. What?” I feel defensive now. I do know what she wants to talk about, but I don’t want to hear it. She wants to break my fucking heart and I’m not ready for that kind of damage, not yet.
I want to push her away. I want to be the first
to draw the line in the sand.
“We don’t work.” She finally says.
The words hit me like a ton of bricks, even knowing they were coming isn’t enough to protect me.
We work. We fucking work. I want her, I need her.
“Why?” I ask.
With one word, she stabs me in the heart. “Johnny.”
“Fine.” I concede, pulling my cell phone from my pocket. “I’ll call Charlie. He’ll take you to Johnny, okay?”
She opens her mouth and then shuts it just as quick. “Thank you.” she finally settles on saying.
Yeah.
I hope it is worth it.
Johnny has been in rehab for a week.
I think this might be the longest he’s ever made it. Byrne’s are no strangers to rehab. Our father has done so many stints in rehab facilities, I’ve lost count.
My father being in rehab was always my favorite as a child. Normally when he was admitted we would be shipped off to stay with our grandparents. My grandmother was a sweet woman who baked cookies with us and lived in a small house that always smelled like cinnamon. I wished she could have taken us full time, I longed to live with her, but two kids were too much for her.
When she died, I didn’t leave my room for two weeks and Johnny got high to numb his pain.
We visited my father in rehab each of the many times he went. We never had money so it was always a state run rehab facility that smelt old and dusty and had a constant soundtrack of screaming. Johnny always hated it, I did too but I hid it better.
The place Gio has Johnny in is nothing like those places.
There are endless windows letting streams of sunlight in and it smells like rain and spring time. There are real flowers on every surface I can see, and the fake wood floors are spotless.
“Annie Byrne!” A cheerful middle aged woman greeted me when I walked through the sliding door with Charlie on my tail. “Gio called and let me know you were coming. Johnny is so excited to see you.” Her smile is warm and inviting.
“I’ll wait out here.” Charlie gestures to the waiting room. “Just let me know when you’re ready to leave.”
I nod, and give Charlie a soft smile. There’s no reason to be mean to him. This isn’t his doing and he’s only ever been nice to me.
“Follow me,” the woman gestures and leads me down the hall. “I’m Marg, by the way. I don’t know how much your partner has told you about Golden Oaks, but it’s an all inclusive facility. Johnny does have a roommate, we encourage sharing a space to further the rehabilitation process. Now, Johnny is still detoxing, so he might be a little agitated, but I assure you he is doing a lot better.” Marg stops in front of one of the doors and turns back to give me a sympathetic smile. “Now I know this will be hard, but I promise you this is the best place for your brother to be. This is Geroge,” she points to a tall, muscular man standing in the hallway. “Leave the door open and if you need anything, call for Geroge, okay?”
“Okay.” I repeat.
Marg pulls open the door with the same chipperness she has shown since I’ve arrived. “Johnny,” she calls. “Look who’s here to visit.” Satisfied with the smile on Johnny’s face, she adds “I’ll leave you two.” and goes on her way.
“Banana,” Johnny smiles and opens up his arms to embrace me.
“Johnny,” I lean into his embrace, tears forming in my eyes. “You okay?”
“It sucks.” He tells me when we’re finished hugging. He sits down on the full sized bed with plush pillows and pats the comforter for me to join him. “I’m getting there.” He adds.
The room is gorgeous. It has dark fake hardwood flooring, creamy white paint, and nature inspired artwork. It’s nicer than any place we’ve ever lived in. Hell, I would move in here if I could. Gio must be paying a fortune for this place.
“I’m sorry,” I tell him. “I should have protected you better.”
“Nah,” he waves a hand. “I fucked up. I should have never brought you there.”
I open my mouth to respond, but he cuts me off. “I’ve been thinking about it, Annie. I brought you to the mouth of the lion. I should have never asked you to be a part of that. If I would have left you at home he wouldn’t be using you like he is.”
I frown. “He’s not using me.”
“No, he is.” He cuts in. “He’s using you to manipulate me.”
“Johnny-”
“I’ll stay here, Banana. I’m gonna get clean, for you, and then I’ll get rid of him.”
My heart stills. “Johnny, you can’t get rid of him.”
“Why? Why not?” His voice rises.
“Calm down-”
“No, Annie. I’m gonna kill him.” He stands, pacing now. “I’m gonna fucking kill him.” He mimes shooting a gun.
“Everything okay?” George pops his head in at the commotion.
“Bang!” Johnny shouts, miming shooting George.
“Okay, buddy.” George looks at me. “I’m going to have to ask you to leave now.”
“Okay.” I reach for Johnny’s shoulders. “I’m okay J. Hear me? I’m okay. Just focus on you. I’m proud of you.” I can tell he’s not hearing me as I kiss his cheek and leave his room. As soon as I step into the hall the tears begin to fall down my cheeks.
My brother is fucked up. More than alcohol and gambling, and I’ve been too afraid to admit it. I look around at the pretty, shiny halls of the facility Gio had placed him in. Way nicer that anything I’ve ever done for him.
“You okay?” Charlie asks when I reach the lobby.
“Fine. Let’s go.” I need to get out of here, I need to get away from this place.
Marg calls a polite goodbye, but I’m already through the door. I climb into Charlie’s Acadia and curl into myself. With my head in my eyes I start to cry harder.
To his credit, Charlie is silent as he paces the car in drive and pulls onto the road. After a moment, I pull myself together again. I wipe the wetness from my face and adjust my hair in its messy bun.
“It’s not my place to say,” Charlie starts talking now that I’m semi composed. “But he’s different since he met you.”
I turn to study him. Charlie is a handsome man with a head of dark, loose curls. He’s thinner than the other guys, definitely not the muscle of the team, but he has a sweet smile and he’s the nicest.
“What do you mean?”
He thinks about the question before responding. “He’s happier.” He finally offers. “He’s more enthusiastic, he shows up earlier. He’s not as drunk.” Charlie chuckles. “I haven’t seen him this…alive in a long time. I don’t know if ever.”
I don’t respond. I didn’t know Gio before. Is he happier? Is he more alive with me?
I’m alive with him, I know that.
I feel every inch of myself burning when I see that crooked smirk. He set me alight.
“I don’t know you that well,” Charlie continues. “But I think you’re good for him and he’s good for you too.”
Fuck.
Sending someone to pick you up, 7PM. Be ready
Always with the demands. We’ve haven’t spoken since the hospital, since I told him that his thing between us wasn’t working. I know he’s not going to let me go easily. I owe him and he’s not going to let me go until he gets his payment.
I wonder if Charlie talked to him at all. If he told Gio how I cried after I saw my brother. Did he know they were tears of sorrow or did he think I was happy to see him in that place?
I’m ready to go at 6:30 when the knock sounds on my apartment door. It’s Frank this time, which I’m weirdly thankful for as I’m not sure if I can handle another heart-to-heart with Charlie. As it is, the last one left me reeling for days.
Frank is a man of few words, which I appreciate. His driving however, leaves something to be desired. It’s far too fast and reckless.
Driving with Gio feels exotic. Not just because his car is worth almost two hundred thousand and the leather feels like butter underneath me
, but his driving is smooth and effortless.
Driving with Frank fees like a death sentence.
Gio, Tony, and Charlie are already in the warehouse when we arrive.
“This happens Saturday.” Gio announces.
“What is this?” I ask, not really expecting an answer. When it comes to whatever we’re doing here Gio only gives half answers.
Preparing, he tells me. I’ve heard: plotting, thinking, training. Sometimes he says nothing but gives me a signature smile. To be honest, that’s my favorite answer.
“A job.” He smirks.
“How am I supposed to do this job if I don’t know what it is?” I retort.
“Later, baby. We’ll talk after, hmm?”
I comply, silently.
Gio has me run drills through the makeshift vent repeatedly. Tony is wielding what looks like some kind of welding tool. He has gloves and a serious looking mask on. Charlie is at his computer set up typing away furiously and occasionally looking over a large document with Gio. Frank is just watching me, which only serves to make me uneasy.
It’s not until three hours later when I’m completely exhausted when Gio finally calls it a night.
“I’ll take you home, sweetheart.” Gio gives me a charming smile as he grabs my bag for me.
“How’s Gian?” I ask once we’re settled in the Porsche. I run my hands along the tan leather, I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed being in this car.
“Good. He’s awake and on some good pain meds.”
“Good.” I fidget with my hands, not sure what to do now.
“I know you don’t want this.” He gestures between the two of us. “So let’s modify our deal, hmm?”
“What are you thinking?”
“Saturday, you do this job for me and then we never have to speak again. I will continue to pay for Johnny’s care as long as you want. I won’t call you anymore though. Consider your number lost as soon as we part ways. Okay?”
He’s letting me go.
I would walk away from this whole thing better off. Debt paid, brother fixed.
Gio: The DelGado Trilogy (An Enemies to Lovers Romance) Page 13