CHAPTER 3
Finn
I watchas Gianna trails behind Alex. She looks so scared and devastated. Her black hair bounces behind her, and for a second, I am back at the chapel, her scent filling my nostrils. She had spoken so much about what type of man Vito was and what he would do if he ever found out about us. I just never believed he would actually do it. She was his family.
The last time I saw her was that night at the chapel, and I almost lose it when I see her calls and messages after my meeting today. I practically sprint to Declan's office. Only Gianna brings out that side of me.
"Are you going to tell me what's going on, or do you want to follow her?" Declan snaps, and I look away from Gianna to him as he sits, taking off the cufflink on his shirt.
I walk to the far end of his office, pull out a chair, and sit down. My mind is still racing; Gianna's sudden appearance has thrown me off balance. Then Declan's voice cuts through the silence like a blade.
"You better start fucking talking, Finn." His tone is sharp and cold. "Do you know what I thought when I heard a Rosso was in our home? I didn't believe it. Then she walked in, and it turnedout to be true. You can fucking imagine my surprise when she said your name."
I exhale slowly, rubbing a hand over my face. "I know Gianna from college," I answer.
"That doesn't explain why she's here. What is your relationship with her?" Declan's stare is unrelenting.
And the truth is, I don't even know how to answer that. Gianna and I had never put a label on what we were. It had always been complicated. It still is.
"She's a friend," I answer, the word feeling cheap the second it leaves my mouth.
Declan's brow lifts in disbelief. "Doesn't seem like it." Then his voice hardens. "You know what, I don't give a shit what she is. Get her out of my estate."
My brows draw together, and I immediately become defensive and protective of Gianna. "You heard her — she has nowhere to go."
"What part of me shows that I give a fuck? This is our base, where we handle business. Everything about the Irish empire lives in this estate. You don't dare expect me to dine with the enemy."
"She's not our enemy. Her family is. Look, Declan — I know Gianna, and she has never once wanted to be part of that family," I counter.
Declan slams his fist on the table, getting out of his chair in a rush. "Don't tell me you're falling for the lies and tricks of a Rosso. She definitely has an objective."
"I trust her!" I say between gritted teeth. Declan might be my brother, but he has to watch his tone about this. He isn't king yet, and Gianna is inexplicably important to me.
Declan takes a deep breath and walks to the window, looking down at the city below. "You trust her, I don't. Her family and ours have been at war for years, even before she was born. If youtruly want to help her, find her somewhere else to live. She can't stay here."
"Declan…" I start, but he cuts me off.
"That's final, Finn. Get her out of here. You're lucky I'm letting you off." He pauses. "You know what Kieran would have done."
Even dead, our brother's ruthless reputation still casts a shadow.
I have to find a way to convince Declan. "Her family threw her out, and she came to me. Don't you see? We can turn this opportunity in our favor. We can find out what she knows about the Rossos. We've been trying to defeat them all this time. Well — here is our opportunity."
Declan is quiet, taking my words into consideration.
"Please, Declan, let her stay. I will keep her in check. I promise," I add, not caring how pathetic I sound.
Declan narrows his gaze at me — something he always does when he is sizing up a situation. "Fine," he says, and I feel instant relief. "But like you said, we could use her. Don't get in the way of that, Finn."
I nod.
Using Gianna is not my intention, but I had to find a way to convince Declan. Besides, I am a hundred percent sure Gianna knows nothing about the business of her family.
CHAPTER 4
Finn
I closethe door behind me as I leave Declan's office, and a wave of emotion consumes me. I am shocked, relieved, and angry. Gianna has always had that effect on me, twisting my insides even without trying.
