Page 68 of Twisted Throne
“I feel guilty, yes. But not for shooting him, or even killing him.”
Angelo tilted his head slightly to the side and nodded for me to continue.
“I feel guilty, because… I don’t feel guilty about what I did.” My voice rose slightly. “He deserved what happened to him, and even more! What he had done, what he wanted to do…” I shuddered. “I know that I should feel bad, but I don’t. What kind of person does that make me?”
“It makes you a person who understands that sometimes things need to be done, no matter the cost.”
Things were starting to make more sense to me now. Angelo, Paul, thefamiglia.
I nodded at him.
“Yes, I think I understand that now.”
Angelo stood and I rose to stand beside him.
“I am pleased that you’re well,figlia.” He hesitated for a split second, then leaned forward and brushed his lips across my forehead. “I’ll take my leave now. There is still much business to attend to.”
He gave me a brief hug, then walked to the door. He placed his hand on the doorknob, then paused to look back at me.
“Gianna. Paul is a good man, one I would find worthy of mypiccola.”
He smiled slightly and then left the room without another word.
Chapter Thirty-One
Paul
I’d spent most of last night on my feet, dealing with the aftermath of the attack. The bodies had been taken off to be disposed of, our injured patched up, and arrangements were being made for our fallen. The news about Elena hadn’t spread farther than our inner circle so far. Although Angelo hasn’t said so directly, I’d guess that’s as far as it will go, as she’s no longer here for us to deal with.
The couple hours of sleep I had managed weren’t enough. I’d been back up far too soon, meeting with Angelo, and fielding through the reports that were still coming in. We were tracking Sabitino and his men closely, although with the blow he took last night the bastard wouldn’t be able to even think of coming at us again any time soon. But I was a cautious man.
I ducked into the library and stretched down onto one of the plush armchairs beside the marble fireplace. I had a meeting with Alec and Carlos soon but could afford to take a few minutes away from the hustle to collect myself. Thoughts of Gia kept pushing their way into my head. The determined clench of her hands on the pistol, and the way she’d leapt to my defense. The way her green eyes reflected in the moonlight, the curve of her trembling body under my hands.
Light footsteps echoed outside in the hall, I looked up as the library door opened and Gia stepped into the room.
“Gia-”
“No! Don’t say anything,” she interrupted me.
I rose up from my seat but remained silent. It seemed Gia had hung on to the fierceness that had risen within her last night.
She blushed when she took in the amusement that I knew was plastered across my face but kept her features set firmly in place. She walked over to where I stood and stared up at me, her emerald eyes clear and bright, despite the dusky shadows under her eyes.
“I know what I want now.”
Gia stared directly into my eyes, not wavering.
“Tell me.” I leaned down until I could feel her soft breath brush across my lips when she answered.
“You.” She stated, gaze firm. “All of you. And…all of this.”
She lifted her hand to gesture vaguely around the room.
“I’m in.” She raised her lips to mine and whispered. “And I’m yours.”
“All in,soubrette?” I asked her gently.
“Yes.”