Gio

Dating.

To be honest, I haven’t thought that much of what is happening between us. I was really too busy trying to get him out of my system. Were we dating?

No.

Right?

I didn’t want a relationship with him.

His demand from earlier flickers through my thoughts.

Just me. Only me.

That was a commitment. A relationship.

The thought of his possessiveness only serves to make my thighs clench. I loved it, even while my head was screaming.

We meet his cousin next. There’s a huge smile on his face from seeing her sheathed in white and lace. He hugs her, whispering something in her ear that makes her laugh. “This is Annie.” He gestures to me. “Annie, this is my cousin Ariella.”

Ariella’s smile is infectious, she’s a pretty blonde with round eyes and a slim figure. She reaches out to grab my hand. “Nice to meet you.”

I withstand a slurry of introductions throughout the cocktail hour. Gio has what feels like a million family members, all with Italian names I can’t remember, some I can’t even pronounce. Each one kisses both of my cheeks and gives Gio a sly looks that says finally.

I get the feeling that he doesn’t normally bring women around his family.

I think maybe he’s a good guy. He seems to love his family, greeting each member with a hug and kiss to the cheek. He shares inside jokes and gives the kids big bear hugs that make them squeal. Each interaction brings a smile to my lips.

I can’t help but laugh.

Gio eventually leads me to a round white-clothed table assigned to his immediate family. Only one seat is taken by a raven haired-beauty wearing a tight, long-sleeved red dress that dips low to show off her cleavage. Her long hair falls in loose curls past her shoulders and she wears a matching shade of red lipstick. He eyes veer from the phone she was furiously typing on right to me when we approach. Standing over her shoulder is a man I assume to be Gio’s brother. They share similar features: tanned skin, sharp jaw-line, and dark hair. He looks like another version of Gio. One that is dressed just as well but somehow looks more sophisticated.

“You brought a date.” The woman’s eyes are wide, her lips slightly opened in shock.

“Annie, please meet my sister Gemma and my brother Gian.” He gestures to the pair.

Gemma stands from her seat, quickly giving me a glimpse of the red soles on her black pumps. The other DelGado’s screamed wealth. From the clothes, shoes, Gemma’s perfectly made face. It was clear they had money. She touched my hand and feigned a look of shock at Gio. “She’s real. I’m not imagining this?”

“Ha-ha.” Gio deadpanned.

“You’ll have to excuse us.” Gian gave me an easy smile. “Our brother doesn’t bring women around often.”

“Ever, you mean.” Gemma corrects. She smiles at me, exposing he

r perfectly white teeth. “It’s nice to meet you.” She leans in to kiss each of my cheeks light so as to not leave lipstick stains.

“You have a sec?” Gian’s tone changes from the light and easy teasing older brother to something more serious when he looks at Gio.

“Yeah. Gemma, keep her company, hmm?”

“Of course. Let’s get another drink.”

Gio presses a kiss to my forehead before Gemma drags me away. I steal a glance behind me to watch Gian pat his hand against Gio’s shoulder and lean in to say something.

What were they whispering about? My mind runs wild with ideas. The Mafia? Murder? Theft?

There’s a crazy list of possible crimes running through my mind. The truth is though, I don’t know what Gio did, or what I’m getting myself into by being with him.

“Two martinis.” Gemma orders from the bartender, leaning her tanned arm on the edge of the bar. “How long?” she looks expectantly to me.