Page 23 of Greed

Gia’s glare could probably make most men balk, but I’m not most men. I do know it makes me want her even more.

I smirk. “The easy way or the hard way, Gia?” I ask as one of my groundsmen brings a ladder and sets it against the branch near her.

She looks at the wall in desperation and then at the ladder before huffing and staying still a long moment.

“Want me to go get her boss?” Roberto asks.

“She’ll make her decision,” I say. I call up to her again, “It’s your choice.”

She shoots daggers at me with her eyes, then climbs down the ladder. Once her feet hit the ground, Roberto reaches for her arm, but she snatches it away.

“I’m perfectly capable of walking on my own,” she snarls at him.

I nod to him and lead her back toward the house, the men with their weapons still drawn, bringing up the rear. She looks angry, not defeated. Like this is just another obstacle to overcome. I’ll have to be more careful with her, and maybe up security a little.

I see her looking around as we walk, and I say, “There’s no point, you’re not going to get away.”

“I did once already,” she points out.

“That was luck,” I scoff.

Though I know it was more than that. She obviously trains regularly and is a master of self-defense. That much is clear. I slow down my pace, enjoying the cool air that was robbed from my lungs when she lunged me over her body and onto the floor. It was a rookie mistake, one I won’t make again.

My men talk quietly amongst themselves as we head inside, and all but two go back to their positions. I lead Gia up to her bedroom and open the door, stepping to the side to let her in.

She stomps her way in and stands in the middle of the room with her hands on her hips. “Is this where you tell me I’ve been a bad girl?”

I take a deep breath. Those words are enough for me to want to slam her against the wall and take her then and there. Bad girl indeed.

But I control myself. I am not Michael. I won’t force her to do something sexual because I’m aroused. I’m a decent enough man.

I smirk. “Your stay here can either be pleasant or hard. It’s entirely your choice, Gia. I am happy to provide you with every comfort that you need, but if you’re going to continue to prove to be difficult, then I’m going to have to put you in manacles in the cellar.”

The look on her face is worth it: one of pure shock. Finally, I managed to paint the bigger picture for the little mafia princess. I watch her carefully, and she frowns.

She doesn’t like this decision any more than I do. If I could trust her, I’d let her roam free anywhere in the house, but she can’t be trusted, so she needs to be watched instead.

“What do you choose?” I ask, my eyes boring into hers.

She stares at me, anger flashing in her eyes, then resignation. I try not to let it go to my ego. She finally moves and sits down on the sofa, crossing her legs, then folding her arms over her chest. She keeps quiet for a moment, looking away from me.

“That’s a good choice,” I say.

“I need disinfectant for my cuts,” she says calmly.

“I’ll see to it that Maria comes to take care of you,” I say. “Goodnight, Gia. I hope you sleep well.”

I turn and leave the room, shutting the door behind me. I look at Roberto and nod, and he takes up position outside the door. No point locking it if someone is here.

I pause at the stairs where Maria is waiting. “See the girl's cuts, disinfect them and give her plasters. She’ll probably want to do it herself; you can let her.”

Maria nods and hurries off. I sigh and head to my study downstairs. Once I sit at my desk, my phone beeps with a message. I check the screen. It’s Andrea. I open the message to read what he wants. He wants proof of life. Confirmation that his sister is still alive, or he won’t make any business decisions.

Another message comes in. He’s heard about Michael, and he knows it was no accidental robbery gone wrong, and he also knows Gia was there that night. I sigh; Andrea is exasperating. Their entire family is. Stubborn as the day is long, that’s what his father would have said.

I respond with a curt message that I will send it first thing in the morning, and then I turn my phone off. I’ve had enough of the Bianchis for one day, especially Gia.

That girl is a handful and a half, and as amusing as it’s been, it’s also been tiring. I get up and go upstairs to rest. This is going to be a long exercise.