Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 112069 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 560(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 374(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112069 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 560(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 374(@300wpm)
"I wanted whatever Kurt did," was the response. His answer didn't surprise me at all. He’d been brainwashed into being subservient to the man who'd owned him. It didn't matter that the relationship had been wrapped up in the package of supposed marriage. There'd been nothing equal in the relationship.
I wasn't really sure how to respond, so I didn't. But to my surprise, Gio continued on his own.
"He wanted to adopt an older kid. Said he'd found the perfect one."
I felt sick to my stomach because I knew what that statement really meant. The idea that Kurt had been on the verge of buying another child made me want to throw up and then run to Ronan and thank him for having found the man and getting Gio away from him.
"How did you feel about that?" I asked, then cringed when I realized I probably sounded like Dr. Taylor.
Gio shrugged his shoulders. But after a moment he said, "I didn't know how to share Kurt. So I guess I was kind of jealous."
His admission broke my heart. It was further proof of how ingrained Gio had become in pleasing Kurt and how Kurt had literally become Gio's entire world. The fact that Gio had tried to take his own life not once but twice after Kurt had killed himself had been frightening proof that severing the hold Kurt had had on Gio wouldn't be an easy process.
Gio closed his eyes and tipped his head back a little, like he was enjoying the sun on his skin. There was a slight breeze in the air, so it made for an almost perfect day. Gio didn't speak again and I didn't pressure him to. After about an hour, I settled Violet back on his lap and this time when the child spoke to him, he engaged with her with questions about her doll, like what her name was and if she had any others.
Unlike my earlier visits, since no sneaking around was required, I was able to visit Gio during the day. There was no rush to return to the house, so once I had Gio back in his bed, I said, "I'm going to run down to the cafeteria to get Violet a snack. Do you mind watching her for a minute?"
I was holding Violet in my arms and while it would have been easy enough to take her with me, I had an ulterior motive. I didn't really give Gio a chance to say no, instead I just plopped Violet down on his lap and handed her the remote for the television. "Thanks so much," I said as I began to walk out of the room. "Can I bring you anything?" I asked, but I didn't actually give him time to answer that question either. I figured I'd make up for it by bringing in several things from the cafeteria.
Fifteen minutes and an armful of goodies later, I nearly dropped all my purchases when I returned to Gio’s room and saw Violet curled up against Gio's chest. Not only was the child passed out, but so was Gio. His arms were wrapped protectively around the little girl.
I carefully put the snacks down and pulled out the phone Luca had insisted I carry around on me at all times. I snapped a picture of the pair and then went and sat down in the chair next to the bed. For the first time in a very long time, I felt at peace. Things had been busy at the house ever since Luca had taken me back there, so Luca and I hadn't really had a chance to talk, or to go on our first date. The delay had made me doubt the encounter he and I had had in the motel room, but I’d managed to quell the need to run. I was giving Luca the one thing he truly wanted from me… my trust.
He didn’t know it, but I was also giving him something I hadn't been willing to give anyone a piece of ever.
My heart.
And if I were being honest, it was a lot more than just a piece. I was well on the way to handing him the entire thing, and that was truly terrifying.
I just hoped I wouldn’t get it back in pieces.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Luca
"I say the salmon," I heard someone say from behind me. It was Con, of course. Even if I hadn’t known his voice, only he would call a shirt salmon. My brother was extremely fashion forward. The bigger question was, why did I even own a salmon-colored shirt? I didn't really care either way because I couldn't take my eyes off the picture I was looking at.
"Jesus, Con, what did you do, go out and buy that for him today?" King asked.
"Why? Is it so hard to believe our brother might actually have a little bit of fashion sense?" Con asked.