Page 10 of Her Ghostly Embrace
“Nothing will happen, Father,” he promised.
Gia hated him for accepting the way Franco treated her. Whatever. She’d take it as a sign she needn’t feel guilty about the punishment Marc would inevitably receive for her actions tonight.
The picture the lawyer had sent her was burned into Gia’s mind. Her mother and Jeffrey, with a toddler between them. WithGiabetween them. They’d looked happy, but she couldn’t imagine how Ma had thought things could work out when she’d been married to Franco Balzano.
Gia felt trapped and watched. Had it been the same for her mother?
“Shall we leave at ten-thirty?” Gia asked her brother as if the insulting exchange hadn’t happened.
Marc pulled out his phone. “Make it ten. I’ll ride with you and Salvator, and text Jay to bring his girlfriend, so you won’t be bored while I talk shop. You know Tessa and the girls. I’m sure they’ll all come along.”
Yes, Gia knew Tessa and her friends, all of whom moved in organized crime circles. Gia hadn’t socialized with any of them since high school, though she’d run into them at various events over the years.
Gia glanced at her father, knowing he expected her to check for approval.
He nodded, his face impassive and eyes cold. “Home by two.”
“Yes, Father.”
Gia grabbedSalvator’s to-go cup of coffee from Mary on her way out of the house. She stopped in the bathroom by the gym and quickly added a laxative. A moment later, she was sauntering into the garage, designer bag slung over her shoulder, and a smile on her face.
“I’ve got you coffee, Salvator.” She handed him the cup.
“Grazie.” He had a sip, looking distinctly grumpy to be leaving the house this late at night. At least he was too well-trained to complain about her impromptu excursion.
Gia settled in the back seat and pulled out her phone, pretending to look busy. Her pulse pounded. If she got caught tonight, she might never be allowed out of the house again, but her reclusive lifestyle and willingness to follow her family’s rules without a fight meant no one would suspect she was up to anything.
Marc slid into the seat beside her and bumped her shoulder. “Damn. I didn’t know you owned dresses like that.”
Gia generally favored button-up shirts and sweaters. Tonight’s outfit was skin tight except for the short, frilly skirt, which puffed out around her hips. Cute and very impractical. “You look the same as always, Marc.”
He snorted. “Let’s go, Salvator.”
The man was already reversing out of the garage. “Yes, boss.”
Marc’s phone rang, and he answered it with a grumble, shooting an apologetic look in Gia’s direction. What a relief. She hadn’t been looking forward to chatting. The less she said, the less likely Marc was to pick up on her nerves.
Would this plan work?
Franco would be enraged the second he realized she was gone. She had to make sure she wasn’t found, and wouldn’t have known how to accomplish that without Susan’s lawyer.
She’d verified some of Ramirez’s story through public records. Her aunt’s death. Her relation to Jeffrey and the existence of the theater Susan had owned. Gia didn’t doubt what he’d told her, but she was trusting his offer to help her flee without having a clue why he’d want to assist. Escaping a crime family wasn’t usual lawyer business.
But trusting Ramirez was Gia’s only option. She had no one else, and she couldn’t wait long enough to come up with another plan. The longer she stayed, the higher the chance she’d slip up, and Franco would discover what she knew.
Then she’d never get out.
Twenty minutes later, Salvator pulled up at the club. “Shall I wait out here or follow you in, boss?”
Marc ended his call. “Wait here. I’ll call if I need you.”
“Sure thing.” Salvator had another sip of coffee and got out to open Gia’s door.
She suppressed a smirk and adjusted her dress. Salvator would no doubt be occupied by the time Marc called to say there was a problem.
Marc appeared at her side and laughed. “Could you have brought a bigger bag, G?”
She rolled her eyes, her hold tightening on the massivepurse. “It’s designer. You’re the one who invited Tessa. She’ll love it. It’s called a conversation starter, genius.”
