Ghostface Killer(74)

Wow, word travels fast.

"Gianna. RJ," Gianni admonishes.

"I'm sorry, baby." She presses the little boy's head against her chest, covering his ears. He looks just like Romeo. Dark hair and brown eyes.

"I'm not a murderer, I'm a killer. There's a difference." All attention turns to me.

"And if it's any consolation, he was about to fuck me in the back of a dirty strip club with complete disregard for his wedding ring. Class act."

Everyone freezes in response to my direct statement. Fire blazes in Gianna's icy blue eyes. "You're a fucking bitch."

"Gianna!" Baz snaps.

"I have never claimed to be anything else." I refuse to get pushed around another second.

"Jesus!" Gianni exclaims. "Separate these two before there's a friggin' mud fight."

Frederick escorts Gianna as she stomps off into the house, leaving me to deal with Gianni and Baz.

"You got some balls. No wonder Benny liked you." Gianni actually chuckles.

Baz cringes at the claim.

"He drilled it into my head to never let anyone push me around."

"Sounds like my brother," Gianni grunts while Baz remains nerve-wrackingly quiet. I don't need him to say a word to know what's irking him. His silence speaks volumes. He hates any mention of Benny and me in the same sentence.

"Master Gianni." Frederick returns. "Dr. Levinstein is here," he informs us respectfully. "He brought Dr. Miranda to see Miss Stevie."

"Thank you, Frederick." Gianni waves. "Can you please let them know she'll be right there? And please send Bull and Gun out right away."

"Very good, sir." Frederick promptly disappears.

I glance at Baz to see if I can decipher what this is all about. But he gives nothing away. A minute later, the two men who ripped me out of bed this morning appear before us.

"I'm assigning them to the two of you," Gianni orders. He doesn't suggest, he orders. "Where you go, they go. Understood?"

Bodyguards? What? I am the damn bodyguard. Of course, I don't voice my opinion, I just nod acceptingly.

"Are you sure they're not going to try to kill Stevie in her sleep?" Baz crosses his arms and broods.

"They can try," I scoff.

Gianni arches an eyebrow at my brass but addresses Baz. "You said no one touches her. So, no one will touch her. That's what they're for. They do as I say." 

"Fine," Baz gives in petulantly. "Go take care of business. I know you have way more important things to worry about than us."

"Well, thank you for dismissing me in my own home." Gianni stands haughtily.

Baz cracks a small smile. It's clear their relationship is still on good terms despite all the drama.

We both watch as Gianni strides into the house. He's all power and intimidation.

About a million questions pop off in my head like fireworks as soon as we're alone.

"The boss, Baz?" I reiterate the question that never got answered in the study. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Why didn't you tell me you killed half my uncle's crew?"

Okay, match point, Baz.

"Because I was trying to avoid what happened this morning. I was protecting myself, and our child."

"From me?"

"From everyone. From all this." I spread my arms out, signaling our surroundings. "I have lived in the in-between for ten years, and you just forced me out of the shadows."

"And that's a bad thing?"

"If someone is trying to kill us, it is."

"I can protect you. Both of you. All three of us."

"Baz, I'm not one to run away from a fight. If we want it to stop, we have to face Regina."

"I'm sure my uncle will come up with a plan."

"If I hadn't interfered the first time, maybe we wouldn't be in this situation." I regret ever going after Regina that night. I was only doing what I was programmed to do, but damn, the consequences have been severe.

"If you hadn't interfered the first time, I never would have gotten you back." He traps my chin between his thumb and index finger and tilts my face up. I get lost in those bewitching eyes, not regretting one single second or decision over the last three months.

"The boss, Baz?" I utter softly, question and worry weighing down the words.

"Not really. I just carry the title. Gianni is the mastermind. He pulls all the strings and makes all the decisions. I never wanted any of it. I was happy by myself in Colorado. Living the simple life."

"Life sure isn't simple anymore."

"No, it's not. But I have you, so the sacrifice is worth it."

"I wish you didn't have to sacrifice at all." I grab his wrist.

"When I'm with you, it's never a sacrifice." Unabashedly, he kisses me under the watchful eyes of Bull and Gun.