Page 128 of Unchained

Even if he was a fucking asshole. She believed for a long time that she loved him, no matter what he did to her.

That man manipulated her for her entire life. And now she has to unravel all of that. I’m no shrink, never claimed to be one, but I sure as shit know that isn’t going to be an easy task. Which is why I’m lighting my third cigarette, sittin’ in my truck outside my house, waiting for her to open that front door and let me back in.

Because she will. Whether she likes it or not, she knows I’ve got her, even when she thinks she can do it alone. Even when I can hear her smashing up my home. I don’t give a fuck. There is nothing material that matters to me. Never has. If she needs an outlet for her rage, then so fuckin’ be it.

Enzo’s name flashes up on my screen as something shatters. It’s like a punch to the gut, knowing she’s hurting and doesn’t want me.

I hit accept on the call.

“She did it?” Enzo questions. Not even a hello today.

“Yep. Slit his throat. Dom has evidence should you require it, but I saw it with my own eyes, Enzo.”

He doesn’t reply right away, so I take another drag.

“Then I’ll stick to my word. Gianna can head up LA under our organization,” he tells me.

I blow my smoke out of the window. That knife twisting in my chest again.

I don’t want her to leave here. I don’t want her to leave me. I never intended to fall for my wife; I didn’t even contemplate it as a possibility.

But I can’t deny it. I need her more than I need fucking air.

“Great,” I huff out.

I can’t even hide my disappointment. I want this for her, I really do. I believe she deserves it. After everything she’s done to get this far, she deserves to be the Queen in LA.

“I’ll fly in tomorrow. I’d like to set some rules with her and properly introduce her to our world. Should I come to the ranch or LA?”

I swallow. “Here. She’s here with me.”

Silence fills the air, and my gut twists. If she’s not smashing my house up anymore… I can only imagine what has come next in her process, which means she needs me.

“Okay. Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“I gotta go, Enzo,” I tell him and cut the call. I’m out of the truck in a split second and striding towards the house. I don’t hesitate; I fly through the door and glass crunches under my boot.

I can’t see her, but I can hear her. Those tiny sobs she’s trying to hide with her hand.

“Gianna,” I say carefully.

Nothing.

I head to the back into the kitchen, but as I turn the corner, I come to a stop. She’s on the floor, back against the cupboards. Her arms wrapped around her knees, her body vibrating as she cries. Rushing to her, I sit down beside her, pulling her onto my lap.

“Ever since I met you, all I’ve done is cry,” she whispers and nuzzles her face against my shoulder.

I can’t disagree. I believe coming to Sterling Ranch and being married to me has unlocked a lot of shit inside her that has never seen the light before. And I ain’t mad about that. Gianna is human. Always has been, even if her father has trained her otherwise.

“Not true. You’ve also screamed and come so hard you can’t see straight. You’ve laughed. You’ve spiked me with Viagra. You’ve relaxed. It ain’t all bad,” I say.

I rub my hands in small circles on her back. I need to comfort her and figure out exactly what it is she needs from me. “You did the right thing, G.”

She pushes herself back and stares right into my eyes, making my heart almost stop. “It isn’t just that, Colt.”

I frown.

“I mean, a big part of this whole breakdown is my father. I’m pissed that I didn’t see what a monster he was before this. That I could have saved Max if I just… realized earlier. If I realized and fought back, ended him years ago when I should have, our territory wouldn’t have been so fucked, and the Greeks wouldn’t have even had the foothold to have Max shot.”