My Stepbrother's Dirty Little Secret novel Chapter 221

Chapter 221

“She is a Toricelli,” Daddy snapped, “And no one-not God, not the law, and especially not that woman—takes what belongs to me.”

He reached out, his hand moving fast. I thought he was going to hit her, and I sucked in a breath, clutching my teddy bear to my chest. But he didn’t. He grabbed Perla’s chin, forcing her to look up at him.

“I want to make one thing very clear to you,” he hissed, “Do not ever suggest my daughter is ‘less’ than your son again. They are my blood. And in this house, blood is the only thing that matters. If that Senator wants to dig, let him dig. He’ll find out very quickly that I’ve buried men a lot more powerful than him in shallower graves than he can imagine.”

He let go of her chin like she was something dirty. Perla slumped back against the sofa, her face white as a sheet She didn’t say another word, her eyes darting to the floor.

“If I ever hear you suggest giving my daughter away again even for a Saturday, you’ll find out exactly how much of a ‘priority’ you are to me compared to her. Do you understand?”

Perla looked down at her lap, “I understand, Gio. I’m sorry.”

Then, Daddy’s face changed. He held out his hand, his fingers beckoning me forward.

“Come here, Gianna,” he said, his voice suddenly smooth and sweet, like nothing had happened.

I walked over to him, my legs feeling like jelly. He reached down and picked me up, tucking me into his side. He still picked me up just like he did when I was a baby. He kissed the top of my head, his grip almost too tight, like he was afraid I might float away if he let go for even a second.

“Don’t listen to her,” he whispered into my hair, “You aren’t a distraction. You’re my princess. And Daddy is going to make sure that woman never bothers us again. I’m going to make sure she stays gone for good this time. Your brother is the future of the business, but you? You are my heart. And I don’t let people cut my heart out.”

A slow smile spread across his face. He squeezed me tight, his fingers digging into my ribs.

“Good girl,” he murmured, kissing my forehead again. “That’s my perfect girl. You don’t need her. You have me. I’m the only one who’s ever going to stay.”

I nodded against his chest, but deep down, in the part of me I kept hidden from him, I missed her a lot.

One of the guards pushed the door open just an inch, “Boss,” the guard said, “The doctor is here. He’s waiting in his office.”