Page 54

It’s after one.

“No. Like I said, this won’t take long.”

“At the very least, have a seat.” I move aside. “Please.”

She looks from Granger to the couch. He’s blocking her path. I tilt my head. On cue, Granger moves to a spot behind the island in the kitchen.

Gia walks over and plops down on the couch with her arms crossed. The glower hasn’t disappeared from her face.

“Did you marry my brother for his money?”

Straight to the point, and I like that. It beats guessing her intentions.

“Our marriage is a business deal. He gets the sports car he’s been wanting, and I get his protection.” If she can be straightforward with me, I can be truthful with her.

“You’re in danger. Can I help?”

After what she went through?

“Maddox wouldn’t want you in harm’s way.”

“My brother doesn’t speak for me.”

I understand stubbornness and the yearning for independence from men with misplaced overprotectiveness. I also understand the amount of danger I’m in.

“Thank you for the offer, Gia. However, my men, Granger, and your brother’s security team are working on keeping me safe.”

Before he left for work this morning, Maddox, Granger, and I had a video call with his security team. They’ll work with my men, and at the end of the week, we’ll regroup.

“What are those?” Gia tips her chin at the manila folders.

“Missing persons’ files.”

“May I?” She picks one of the ten up.

“Go ahead.”

Granger and I watch in silence as Gia reads over the ten cases.

“These are the ones you’ll help?”

“Unfortunately, the foundation can only cover the expenses to help five families.”

“How will you choose?”

“We have the most success with the recent cases. Older cases take more resources.”

“Half are older. Half are within the year.”

“Yes,” I say.

“Have you asked Maddox for help?”

“I would like to keep my personal affairs separate from his.”

“But you two are married. What is his is yours. What is yours is his.”

“It’s not what we agreed to.”