Page 58 of Tormented Diamonds

“Yes,” I say softly, groaning as he drops slow kisses down my neck. “I think so.”

His throaty growl vibrates across my chin as he drags the kiss to my lips, claiming them with fiery possession.

Then, the door swings open, and a throat clears. “Boss…?”

I open my eyes, my cheeks heating. But Gianni couldn’t give less of a shit.

“Out,” he commands.

“Boss, the liquor guy is downstairs.”

Gianni curses under his breath. “Fucker was just here last week. This asshole’s palm is getting a little too itchy.” He gives me one last kiss, then steps back, hisshields coming down in full boss mode. “Have Taz take you home. I’ll be there in a few hours.”

I watch him leave, waiting until the door closes before I slump against the wall, that unsettled feeling from earlier clawing at me. It’s only when I lower my chin that I see it.

Red.

My feet are red.

I squeeze my eyes shut, the burning behind them forcing its way out. Like Gianni, God and I don’t see eye to eye. What all powerful being does nothing while one of his own creations forces an innocent child to watch him mutilate her mother? I decided long ago, if that was God’s idea of love, I’d respectfully decline.

But as the tears spill down my cheeks, I stand before that same God … and pray.

For my father’s safety. For Leo’s soul. For Gianni’s peace.

For the little girl with red feet who wanted the monsters to go away.

And for the woman who, twenty-two years later, still prays the same.

Chapter Eighteen

GIANNI

An hour and a half after Becca walked out the door, my sister bulldozes through it looking like she’s been sucking on a lemon.

“May I help you?”

“Actually, yes.” Sera plops her ass in the center of the coffee table, a determined lift to her chin that feels way too familiar. “Stop being a fucking idiot.”

“Great to see you, sis. Too bad you can’t stay.” I cross the room and stand by the open door, waiting for her to get the hint.

She just stares at me, head cocked, and lips pursed like she’s trying to figure out a way to drill through my head. “I saw Becca. It’s quite a feat to cause your wife to look even worse than she did after getting in a car accident. I’m impressed.”

“Thanks.”

“What the hell, Gianni? Are you trying to loseher?”

I sigh and close the door. “Of course not. I wasn’t aware there was a manual I had to follow when?—”

“Do you love her?”

“What kind of question is that?”

“One you’ve avoided answering.”

And I can think of a couple dozen ways to avoid doing it now. All of which she’d see through in an instant. My personal life has always been my sister’s favorite subject. Trying to keep something from her is like rolling around in catnip, then taunting a box of kittens.

She won’t let this go, which means the only way out of it is through it.