A Bond by Marriage

Chapter 12

Dino’s POV-

“So… I take it she didn’t say anything,” Vito read my mood. As fragile as Gia seemed, she was a stubborn woman when she wanted to be. I would rather have her be obstinate about things she deserves, not to hide the fucker who hurt her.

“She didn’t, but I need to know. I don’t understand why she wouldn’t give me the name.”

“She is scared obviously,” he thought for a moment. “Her bodyguard can’t be the reason. Even if he wasn’t her lover as Umberto claimed, he is dead and can’t hurt her anymore.” Vito was right. Moreover we didn’t have any reason to believe that Santino hurt her.

“She wouldn’t hide his identity if it were her bodyguard.” I sat in my usual chair. “Get his information anyway. And make sure the Fabbri’s don’t hear about it.” I didn’t want her family intervening in this. My instincts told me I couldn’t trust them.

Just then, Marco trudged inside, looking like he would be much happier in a dumpster rather. Scowling was the most he could do to relieve his frustration, so I let him carry that face all day.

After I instructed Maria to prepare a plate for Gia, Vito swiftly changed the conversation involving Marco in it, but I didn’t bother mingling any further. Throughout dinner and then later in my office, all I did was wonder if she had eaten or if she was crying. I couldn’t find it in me to go check for myself. I didn’t know if she’d start crying in fear, hide away from me, or start lashing at me. I would prefer her lashing out at me, giving up the name in her anger but I also knew the possibility of it was zero.

So, I decided to wait a long time before going back to my room. I didn’t think she could’ve handled seeing me again after showing her fake bravado.

Gia’s POV-

When I woke up, Dino was nowhere in sight. Just like yesterday when I went to sleep. I was partially grateful to not come across him but the thought that he probably didn’t want to come across me sent a jolt of pain through me. Despite his words; his gentle words, I wasn’t sure if I could trust him. I wanted to, but…

Slipping out of bed, I searched through my newly settled clothes in the closet. My fingers stilled for a split second when they touched Riccardo’s gift. I pulled it out from the pile of my clothes. This little USB was a reminder of why I couldn’t do anything, couldn’t risk doing anything. I knew I needed a better place to hide it but until I found it, I had to hide it among my clothes. Would Dino suddenly decide to rummage through my things? No, he wouldn’t do that. He didn’t know there was something to search for.

Stashing the little black thing back in its place, I quickly freshened up and showered. I was hungry with all the energy I had drained crying yesterday. Even after the dinner Maria had brought for me. I was afraid the woman would be inquisitive about my state, but she had gently smiled at me and, without any questions, had left me to myself.

The first person I saw was Marco. He was perched on the breakfast chair with his head between his hands as he grinned at whatever was playing on his iPad on the table. As soon as I noticed him though, he saw me as well and quickly paused the video.

“Good morning. Did you talk to Dino?” For a second I was confused, but when my eyes found his iPad screen displaying a man with a dog, I remembered our bargain.

“Good morning to you too, Marco. And no, I haven’t talked to Dino.” He frowned. “But, I will. I just couldn’t yesterday. It was my first day.”

“And you should have asked for your wedding gift. It was your first day.” He raised his eyebrows. I didn’t know how to even explain this to him. “Look, our deal has a deadline. You ask him today or it’s dead.”

“You can’t do that.”

“I just did and because neither of us knows if Dino will come back home by night, I suggest you ask him during breakfast.”

“Marco, I can’t—”

He suddenly leaned in, “Here, let me make it easier for you.” He turned to where Dino and Vittorio had just entered. “Hey, guys! Good morning! Here, Gia wanted to talk to you.” My eyes widened in shock but I quickly composed my expression. All three brothers were looking at me.

Just then, Maria set the food on the table. I looked at Marco but he only smiled sweetly at me. Dino and Vittorio took their respective seats and where the brothers exchanged greetings, Vittorio only nodded at me. I needed to get rid of this awkward air between us, so I decided to take the initiative.

“Good morning, Vittorio.” The moment I said the words, Marco snorted and Vittorio scowled at me.

“Is this what you have been calling me in your head, all this time?” He looked horrified, contrary to his brothers’ amusement. “Call me Vito, the… other one makes me feel like a grandfather.”

“But you were named after our grandfather, weren’t you?”

“Shut up, you little ass,” Vito playfully growled at Marco, which only made him laugh more. His laughter was beautiful– careless and free. “Anyway, what did you want to tell us?” He suddenly turned to me. Though I didn’t like the attention, the stiffness between us was already evaporating.

“Yeah, I don’t know why she feels nervous about it. I told her it'd be alright,” Marco shrugged.

“What is it, Gia?” Dino asked, assuming it was something severe.

“I… I wanted— I mean if it is okay— I was thinking… that, you know if it’d be okay with you to, umm, you know—”

“What?” He interrupted, locking my gaze with his.

“Can we get a dog?” I sighed.

“Oh, hell no!” My heart sank. Did I cross the line? The words hadn’t come from Dino, but I knew if Vito didn’t want a dog, he wouldn’t let one in. He'd stand guard at the doors 24/7 if that's what it took to keep the house free of a dog. “We can’t have a dog wagging his tail around.”

“I told her the same thing.” I couldn’t believe Marco. This boy set me up and as if I couldn’t be embarrassed more, he added to my humiliation. All the while playing with his spoon and looking at me as if he was bored.

“We can’t have a dog here, Gia.” Dino said carefully, less vehemently than his brother.

“Damn right,” Vito muttered.

“A lot of people come by daily, and we can’t have him barking at everyone.”

“And if we are attacked, that little thing would be the first to draw everyone’s attention and die.” Vito looked dead serious. I knew he really was. ”Not to mention, there are scary men living under this roof. If not anything else, his instincts will sniff the danger and drive him to his early death. ‘Cause you see, Gia, nothing and no one holds power over us. No one. They bow and bend. Then we break them,” he said, emphasizing each word after word with his dead set on me. I knew we weren’t talking about a dog anymore. We were way beyond it and this was Vito declaring the power of the Accomazzi brothers. A silent indication to me.

“Okay.” The matter closed just like that. I looked at Marco but he had already gotten busy with his iPad.

“Turn it off, Marco.” Dino’s stern command earned him a grunt, but Marco complied anyway. “And next time, don’t shoot your gun off of Gia’s shoulder.” He knew it was Marco’s idea, but then, nothing passed Dino. How could he not know?

The question passed between me and Marco. He shook his head and went back to scowling at the plate in front of him.