The Power of Love
Page 17
Gia had stepped right to Josh’s side, nudged his shoulder with her knee, and barked, “Enough.”
Laurie, who had been hovering around, caterwauling at Josh, hadn’t earned the same reaction as Gia. Josh’s head popped up and immediately a sheepish cast to his features had overcome him, replacing the rage of seconds before. He had let go, releasing the pressure of his grip slowly, and the sounds of Jason’s heavy, labored breathing had ricocheted around the room as Josh stared guiltily up at Gia.
In that one moment, had the rest of his family not respected her, she’d earned it immediately.
The big, bad brigadier general had clambered to his feet, head hung low, arms defensively crossed against his chest. “He’s fuc—”
“Little ears,” she’d barked.
His mouth had tightened. “He’s messing around on my baby sister.”
“You’re messing around with me,” she’d remarked. “Get him up and patch him up, Josh. Dinner will be ready in ten minutes.” Gia had looked around the room, brow cocked, then clapped her hands in a shooing motion. “Go on, get seated at the table.”
Then, she’d retreated to the kitchen, Laurie and Loretta at her back, while the rest of the family had gawked on in astonishment.
The tableau would make her lips twitch for the rest of her life. Laurie’s bewilderment at how easily Gia had handled Josh would earn her the family’s famous cannoli recipe, Gia felt sure.
“What are you smiling about?”
“How shocked your mother was the other day.”
He grimaced. “Not my proudest moment.”
“No, one of many, though.”
“Ouch,” he bit off. “That’s harsh.” When she shrugged, he murmured, “I thought you still weren’t speaking to me.”
“I’m not. I’m here under Luke’s orders.”
“I don’t need him to fight my battles for me.”
“No, but I’m going in the morning, and I’d prefer things not to be tense between us. Wouldn’t you?”
He pursed his lips, then nodded. “I’m not sorry I did what I did.”
“I’m not saying you should be.”
“Then why are you mad?”
“Because you did it in front of Lexi.” When he immediately flushed, she nodded. Pointedly. “You think she should have seen that?”
“No, I don’t, but I couldn’t help it.”
“You control every other emotion, every other part of your day, and yet, you couldn’t control it then?”
He ducked his head. “She’s my baby sister.”
“So? It’s her life. Her choice. Like it’s ours to live the way we do.”
“It’s not right.”
“Why isn’t it? It’s right for us.”
“But it isn’t, is it? You have to leave tomorrow, for God knows how long, all because people don’t accept us. It doesn’t make me love you any less, if anything, I love you more, but I wouldn’t want this for her. This path, it hurts too much.”
“Hurts? You’re not the one leaving, Josh. You get to stay here, in our house, with our daughter, with the people you love. I’m the one who has to go.”
“You think I like this? You think I want it?”
“No, I don’t, but don’t play the martyr.”
“I’m not,” he snapped. “It kills me that you have to go, that I’ve started something that means you have to run off, to hide away. It kills me,” he finished hoarsely. His shoulders bowed, his head hanging heavy. “I hate it.”
“Well, I do too, but it’s not forever.”
“No, it isn’t. It feels like it, though.” He scraped a hand over his face. “I had to do this, Gia. I had to. But I regret it.”
“Well, it’s too late for regrets. From what you’ve told me, little though it may be, Luke’s CO deserves to be behind bars. Am I right?” When he inclined his head, she shrugged. “Well then, our sacrifice is worth it. Plus, if it clears Luke’s name, then it’s all for the good.”
“You still won’t forgive me for it.”
She frowned at him. “I’ve never said that.”
“You don’t need to. You’ll stop believing in me, stop trusting in me.”
Gia stepped forward, and as Lexi had done moments ago, and with little ado, forced her way onto Josh’s lap. He grabbed her to him, swinging her legs high to bring her close to his chest. She immediately snuggled down, letting her proximity work some magic on his guilt. He was right. To a degree. She wasn’t happy about this scenario, no matter how well she tried to paint a picture of serenity. But that wasn’t to say she distrusted him. He’d lied to her, to protect her, granted, but still, he’d tried to manipulate her into leaving. It was that she didn’t like. It was that that would take a while to get her head around.
The problem with being a partnership of three people was the individual relationships. Without each cog turning smoothly, the wider mechanism just didn’t run right. As it was, Luke had been correct to make her talk to Josh before she left. To make her clear the air.
Guilt was eating away at him, and mean though it was, a part of her was satisfied to see that. Somehow, in the way of women’s wickedness the world over, that soothed some of her justifiable hurt.
“I’ll forgive you if you never try to manipulate me again.”
“I can’t promise that,” he said after a couple of seconds, the words followed by a heavy sigh. “If I think it’s in your best interests, I’ll say blue is black to get you to agree.”
“Wow, that instills confidence.”
He grimaced. “I know. I hate myself for it, but I’m used to walking that fine line, Gia. Why wouldn’t I do it for the most important people in my world?”
“At least you haven’t lied about not being able to stop manipulating us. That has to be worth something, I guess.”
“What a prize you’ve got, eh?”
It was her turn to sigh. She reached up and pressed a kiss to his jaw. Slowly, giving her time to move away, he turned his head until their lips met. Gia maintained the kiss, warmth flooding her at his tenderness. “Everything will work out, won’t it, Josh?” she whispered.
“It will, Gia. It has to.”
She blinked up at him, saw his earnestness, and nodded. If that was the best he could give her, then she’d believe in him and his machinations. Her being shunted off would be worthwhile, his actions would be justifiable if it stopped a powerful man from his corrupt ways, and it would be invaluable to them as a family for Luke’s name to be cleared.
She had to remember that. For as long as she was away, she’d let the power of their love feed her from afar, and count the days until she could come home.
Home, truly, was where the heart was.
It was simply a shame the rest of society would judge a household based on love, but if anything was worth protecting, it was her family. For the people she adored, she’d make a Mama Bear look like a teddy.
And that was a promise.
To be continued…
Loose Id Titles by Serena Akeroyd
The Luck of Love
The Power of Love
The Strength of Love
* * * *
THE FOURWINDS Series
The Angel’s Kiss
Serena Akeroyd
Serena Akeroyd is a romanceaholic. She won’t touch a book unless she knows there’s a happy ever after at the end of it. Pathetic as it may be, because of this addiction Serena decided to craft her own tales, stories that suit her voracious need for sexy romance. After all, a love story ain’t a lurve story without a bit of naughty!
A citizen of the world, Serena is a nomad at heart, and her novels enable her to travel the globe and all behind her computer desk. Naturally, she’d prefer the option of a private jet, but still, if wishes were horses, eh?
Always feel free to connect with Serena; she’d love to chat with her readers, as well as fellow romance addicts! Start at http://www.serenaakeroyd.com/ to find out more about her works, her blog, and how to connect with he
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