Declan smirks, directing his hand for Gianna to sit. Her eyes land on me, and she remains that way until she sits beside me. Ailish's eyes move from Gianna to Declan, to me, and back to Declan. The confusion is evident in her look.
Declan decides to add clarity to her confusion. "Gianna, this is Ailish, my closest confidante," his voice is full of mischief, and it makes my skin boil. "Ailish, this is Gianna. Gianna Rosso."
Ailish's eyes widen, and she looks around the table like we've all lost our minds. "Is this a joke?" she scoffs.
"Apparently not. Finn busted William's nose because of her," James says with a smirk, and I close my eyes, knowing this is about to get messy.
"What?" Ailish blurts out, her voice sharp with disbelief as her eyes shoot straight to Declan. "You allow a Rosso in our midst, and she sits here to what... have breakfast with us?"
Her voice echoes around the dining room like a slap, and all eyes now flicker between Declan and her. "She gave up that name when she stepped into this estate," Declan replies, cool and unbothered, glancing at his watch. I watch as Gianna's eyes dart to Declan and then to William.
Her fist is clenched on her lap, the strain visible in her knuckles. I was right. She's still not recovered from last night. "Now, let's eat," Declan adds, closing the matter, but I know Ailish won't let it go that easily.
Ailish lets out a bitter scoff. "Are you all seriously messing with me? She's obviously here as a spy."
"Ailish," I say, keeping my voice calm even though her accusations are grinding against every nerve in my body. "Relax. She's not here as a spy."
"Oh really?" she throws back at me, sarcasm laced in every syllable. "And how would you know that, huh?"
I glance at Gianna who hasn't said a word. Her breathing is shallow, jaw clenched. I move my hand slowly under the table,reaching for hers and gently resting my palm over her clenched fist.
"I know her, and I trust her." That simple declaration makes Gianna's eyes meet mine, surprised, soft, but still guarded. Before I can say anything, Ailish's laughter cuts through the room.
"Oh, that is rich," she says, nearly breathless from her disbelief. "William. James, are you two seriously going to sit there like this is normal? Like she belongs at this table?" William glances away, jaw tight. James lowers his head to his plate. Neither of them says a word.
Ailish's expression twists in frustration, and she turns to Declan again. "I'm telling you she's trouble," she hisses. Her short brown hair bouncing as she moves, eyes begging for Declan's agreement.
Declan doesn't flinch. Doesn't even look up. He picks up his fork, cuts into his pancake, and begins to eat. I exhale through my nose, then silently dig into my own pancake, no longer wanting to feed the fire. But before I eat, I slide an untouched plate of warm pancakes and eggs towards Gianna.
She glances down at the plate, then up at me, mouthing softly. "Thank you."
I give her a small smile, hoping it tells her more than words can. That I see her. That I believe her, and she isn't alone.
"I won't sit here and have a meal with a fucking Rosso. Over my dead body," Ailish spits, her words laced with venom so thick it hangs in the air like smoke. Her voice is sharp and loud, burning with so much anger and hatred.
"Watch your tone, Ailish," I raise my voice. She might be Declan's trusted confidant, but I don't care. She's crossing a line, and she knows it.
Her eyes flash with wide disbelief. "Why?" she sneers. "Are you going to bust my nose because of your pretty princess, who is obviously taking advantage of you? Are you that stupid, Finn?"
Across the table, James whistles, throwing scrambled eggs into his mouth.
"You seem to forget your place, Ailish," I growl, my fist clenched tightly under the table. "Just because Declan keeps you around doesn't mean you can speak to me like this."
Ailish doesn't blink. She isn't backing down. "I'm pretty much a Costello," she hisses, rising slightly in her seat like she might leap across the table. "I've worked my ass off for this family, and I will not sit here and watch it get torn apart by some bimbo with a pretty face."
My jaw ticks. I can feel the heat rise in my neck. "Stop talking like she's not sitting right fucking here," I say slowly, my voice tight. "This is your last warning, Ailish. Watch your mouth."
Ailish's eyes don't waver. She leans forward slightly, as if daring me to do something. "What would you do if I didn't?" she challenges, our gaze sharp and unwavering. The tension stretches between us like a loaded gun ready to go off.
"Enough," Declan's voice cuts through the tension. The room stills. Even the sound of forks on plates disappears. "Stop wasting time arguing," he says, not even glancing at me or Ailish. "We've got a long day ahead." Declan finally turns to Ailish. "We have a lot to discuss. Eat."
Ailish doesn't respond. Her lips tighten, her back going rigid, but she obeys. She knows how far to push Declan. Even she won't cross a line that dangerous. But her anger doesn't fade. It simmers in her eyes as she glares at Gianna from across the table.
Gianna doesn't flinch at first. She holds Ailish's gaze like a silent challenge, but after a moment, she breaks the connection and looks away.
CHAPTER 12
Gianna
