Gio

All I ever tried to do was create a life for us.

Yet, here we are.

“It’s not your fault.” Gio breaks through my inner monologue. “Stop beating yourself up over there.”

“I’m not.” I lie.

“I can see it, sweetheart. You are. I get it, he’s family, but he’s shitty to you. You think you deserve that?”

He looks over at me when I don’t respond.

“You don’t.” he answers for me. “You’re a good person. Don’t let him bring you down.”

“I’m not a good person.” I return with a sad laugh.

He chuckles. “Yeah, sure.”

“I’m working for you. How does that make me a good person?” I look away from him, not wanting to see his response to those words.

“You think that makes you a bad person?” he asks, his voice sincere.

“Yeah.”

“Look at it this way, you’re only here to help your brother. Sometimes good people do bad things for good reasons.”

I study him for a moment. His dark hair slicked back, a single hand loose on the wheel, tight jeans pressed against his thighs. Is Gio a good person or a bad person?

“He’s my brother,” I finally say. “I have to help him.”

“Yeah, but sometimes family isn’t always blood.” he tells me.

I huff, pivoting my body away from him again. “Do you have siblings?”

“Two. A brother and a sister.”

“Would you cut them out of your life like you're asking me to do.” I give him a pointed look. Case made.

“If they treated me like Johnny does, without a doubt.” Of course, he would.

“But they’re perfect I imagine, right?” I say sarcastically.

“No, sweetheart.” he smiles lightly. “Far from it. My brother is under a lot of stress right now, but he’s patient. He’s worked really hard for this, and he’s going to succeed and I’ll be right by his side. My sister, Gemma, she’s going through something.” he pauses.

“What is it?” I ask softly.

“Our mom died last year, and Gemma is having a hard time coping. She’ll get through it though.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” I pause, mulling over his words. “You love them?”

“Yeah, I do.”

“I know he’s not perfect, but he’s my brother and I love him. He wasn’t always like this.” I sigh, telling him.

“I’m sure he wasn’t.”

“Why are you making someone watch him?” I ask after a moment.

He’s silent beside me, eyes steady on the road in front of them. “I don’t want him to gamble.” Gio gives me a sympathetic look. “It’s not good for my bottom line.”