CHAPTER FOURTEEN

GIANNA

I push up out of the cool water and draw in a breath, then gasp when I find Braxton standing at the edge of the swimming pool, staring down at me.

He looks badass in his dark glasses and rolled up shirt sleeves with his hands casually resting in his pants pockets. He's a walking sex god. And that's saying a lot given I'm surrounded by gangsters who think they're god's gift to women. Some of them are pretty damn hot, but Braxton is in a league of his own.

"Gianna," he purrs, and my body reacts, shivering all over.

I wipe my hands over my face and hair, clearing the water from my vision, then extend my arm. Braxton reaches for me, then pulls me out of the water.

My favorite—okay, second favorite—part of his body is his thick arms and biceps. Such power. He's all man and right now he's mine.

At least for a little while.

He's just walked out of the second meeting with my father and is still breathing. That is a good sign.

Braxton steadies me on the tiles and presses his body against mine.

"You're getting wet." I grin up at him, enjoying the feel of his arms around me.

"Worth it," he mumbles as his mouth takes mine. "This red bikini looks stunning on you."

God, I could kiss him all day, every day, forever.

Oh.

My thoughts catch me unaware. I've never felt that way about a man before. I'm not saying I love him, just that I really, really like being with him.

He makes me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.

"So?" I ask, rubbing my fingers along his whiskers, wondering how inappropriate it would be to do the same with my cheek. "How did it go?"

"I need to make some calls. It could take a few hours." He replies in a husky voice that has me squirming. "I will be back after lunch."

He grabs my face when I go to pout and smirks. His dimples make an appearance and I melt.

"Enough. You are about to get your way, princess. I may be staying in the country." Braxton laughs.

I smile. "Really? My father is helping you?"

"We are discussing options." He drops his hand, running his fingers down my neck and across my shoulder. "I will still need to leave at some point."

When I nod, those deep-thinking blue eyes of his study me, roaming over my face as if trying to get inside my mind.

"I know." I nod.

"You are fine with that?" he asks.

"Yes. I don't expect you to actually be in love with me after one night, Braxton." I press into him.

Though being loved by a man like him would have to be amazing. He's powerful, strong mentally and physically, and I know already by the way he is with me that he would be very protective and possessive.

I wonder if he would be loyal.

If he was, truly, he would be my dream man.

What woman wouldn't want to be owned by a man like Braxton? If I had to be owned by a man—and I will be—then why not him?

Even knowing it could never be him.

Still, I do love that he chose me because he desired me. Not because he wanted anything more than just me. I offered it. That is an aphrodisiac all on its own.

"Hmm, well, remember what I said. That pussy is mine. For now." The growl in the back of his throat sends arousal shooting through my veins.

He kisses me firmly again, and then cups my face, staring fiercely at me. Then walks away.

Lord have mercy.

When Braxton walks back into the house, I stare into space for a long moment—I mean, don't judge, the fact I'm still standing is a damn miracle—and only snap out of it when my mother appears.

"Nice swim?" she asks, handing me a glass of juice.

"Thank you, Mama." I say, taking it and grabbing a towel which I wrap around my waist, letting the late morning sun kiss my skin.

"He is a beautiful man, Gianna," she says, smiling in the direction Braxton disappeared. "Your father seems to think he is someone worth going into business with."

I take another sip.

"If there is anything he should know, it's important you share it with him," Angela Baldassare says.

First and foremost, she is the mafia don's wife. Dante and I have always known that. Yes, she's a mother, but she protects this family above all else.

Self-preservation?

Who knows?

"James has done his background check. What more could I know?" I reply a little defensively. "You know men like him do not tell women anything."

Mama watches my face, searching to see if I am telling the truth.

I am.

I told them all I know. He is a friend of Mia's and worked with the Mancini's. I did leave off that he also worked with Connor Barrett. The well-known, straight-laced billionaire isn't exactly a good reference in our world.

I don't see it as relevant.

It's up to Braxton to share that information with them. He knows getting involved with my family is dangerous.

"Why did you bring him home?" she asks.

I sit on one of the outdoor wicker chairs and prop my feet up on the table. My eyes drift across the enormous backyard, the landscaped gardens, the lap pool, and down to the tree-lined fence.

It is not just lined with trees, but cameras and guards.

Gangsters.

I live in a fortress.

A very expensive and beautiful fortress, and it's not just the physical boundaries that exist in my life. There are rules and expectations.

I will never escape them.

At birth, they were enforced upon me. Just by my very existence.

"Because I didn't want him to leave. I want to keep seeing him," I reply honestly. "I know it's not forever, but I like him, Mama."

She sits opposite me, and the pitiful look in her eyes irritates me. "Don't get too attached, darling."

"I know, Mama." I snap, turning my head.

"It will just make it harder if you fall in love with him. Trust me," she says.

I force myself to look at her, something clicking. "You didn't choose Dad."

"I chose your father." She nods.

"Out of obligation." I press.

My mother was once in my shoes. The daughter of a Sicilian don and moved to the United States when she was pregnant with Dante. I've never asked her if she fell in love with my father.

Perhaps children just assume.

They aren't enormously affectionate to one another, but she kisses him goodnight. He cups her bottom and demands she head upstairs to...knit.

That's all I let myself think, because yeah, no.

"Obligation is not black and white. I chose to marry into the Baldassare family to do my duty. I chose him and I chose this life."

Oh, my god.

Why have I never asked this before?

"Do you love him?" I demand. "Do you love my father?"

"Yes. Not in the way you are in love with Braxton."

"I'm not..." Shit. "I...it's new. I don't..."

Crap.

I need to stick with the story we have told my family. Even if they've seen through my lie to some degree, the fact that I want this man is completely true.

"I see it in your eyes. And his. Young love. Infatuation. Desire," Mama says.

"Well, I mean, as you say, he's a beautiful man." I shrug. "But—"

Wait, a minute.

What did she say?

"His? Do you really think he loves me?" I ask, surprised.

"Gianna that man is obsessed with you. I know when a man wants to own you and Braxton Rossi is not going to let you go easily. Be careful."

I chew my lip, wondering if she is right.

"I will."

Because, unlike Mia, who was able to escape this life with her fancy guy, Braxton is deeply involved with the crime world.

Just my luck.

Even if I might be falling for him despite what I tell myself.