Page 48 of Entangled

“I made excuses.”

“Two blocks away, boss,” Chris said from the driver’s seat.

“Merci,” Gian replied, though he continued watching Elena. “Smile pretty and nod at whatever he says, because that’s what he likes to see from you. Keep your replies quiet and well-mannered, as that forces him to be polite, too. Don’t give him shit to pry into, where our lives or this marriage is concerned; neither of us wants or needs that. Thirty minutes, at the most, and I’ll excuse you. How’s that?”

Elena frowned. “You don’t have—”

“What good is your husband, if he doesn’t at least look out for you, Elena?”

Her posture softened a bit. “I don’t always treat you well, or I haven’t, I guess. Don’t be surprised when I don’t expect the same in response, Gian.”

“I have always looked after you where your father was concerned, Elena. Even before I knew that’s what you were using me to do for yourself. Let’s not pretend like this is anything different. It’s the rest—the lies you told, the way you fucked me over, and the shit we don’t have together that I can’t be bothered with now. I’m not going to work toward any kind of real marriage with you, and you don’t want me to, either. I need to stay married to you for appearance, respect, and an oath I took, and you need to stay married to me to keep your father away. Nothing more, nothing less. This, your father, I will always protect you, and you know it. You shouldn’t expect any different, not when I have never given you a reason to think otherwise.”

She didn’t reply.

He didn’t need her to.

“Well, fuck,” Chris grunted as he pulled the SUV over to the side, and killed the engine.

Gian would have asked what the problem was, but he didn’t need to. A news van had parked outside the restaurant, with cameras turned in their direction. “Why in the hell are they here?”

“Your guess is as good as mine, boss.”

Jesus Christ.

“Your release was publicized,” Elena pointed out.

“So then a news van shows up at the jail,” Gian replied, “not the restaurant where I’m meeting your father.”

“Gabriel, then?” Chris asked.

“Why would he do that? He’s not in any better of a position than I am at the moment, and could afford to stay out of the fucking spotlight for a bit.”

Gian hadn’t been the only organized crime boss arrested in those raids. Gabriel’s sentence had been lighter by a month, sure, but the man still went in. Besides that, Gian wasn’t exactly low profile in the city of Toronto.

Long before his family’s name had been synonymous with crime, the Guzzis had become rich by striking gold in one of Canada’s only gold mines. They were old money and with that had come a socialite lifestyle that spanned generations, his included. He didn’t enjoy that side of life as much as his parents had, or even as much as his sister currently did, but his face was well known, much like his last name.

“Pay them no mind,” Chris said, “and I’ll scare them off when you’re inside, boss.”

Gian nodded, thankful. “Great.”

Unfortunately, the second Gian stepped out of the car, he could feel the fucking camera burning into him. He was very aware that his face would likely be on the news that night, and that didn’t exactly make him jump for joy.

The born and bred gentleman he was sent him to Elena’s side of the SUV. He opened her door, and offered a hand to help her out. She didn’t pass the cameras a single look, but she did lean in and give Gian a quick kiss on his cheek.

Then, just as fast, she murmured in his ear, “For Daddy to see.”

For them, it was always a show.

It always had been.

It had to be.

He hadn’t expected the kiss, and it took a great effort for him not to pull away from Elena, but he managed.

Elena kept her hand firmly tucked into his elbow as they entered the restaurant. Unsurprisingly, Gian found the place quite empty of patrons, and only a couple of wait staff waiting for them at the front.

“Your father owns this place, doesn’t he?” Gian asked.