SharingGianna (3 page)

She felt Gabe shifting beside them and when Tony slid his
mouth from hers to trail down her neck she automatically turned to see what
Gabe was doing, to see his expression. No jealousy. Just lust. That was what
she saw before he leaned in and took her mouth. Now it was hard and dominating,
a kiss meant to possess. Gabe claimed her mouth, sucking her tongue and
thrusting his in and out of her mouth in parody of the sex her pussy was aching
for.

Her body, dormant for too long, suddenly was alive with the
need to feel and be felt, to explore and be explored. It was all so much that
she swore she was hearing bells. Then there was the unmistakable clearing of a
throat and a way too familiar voice bringing her back to her senses.

“And I was worried that coming back here wouldn’t be good
for you.” Rocky’s voice was better than a cold shower. “Apparently I should
have been encouraging this visit all along.”

Gianna would have pushed free but both men were too close
for her to do so without making a scene. “I went out for a run,” Gianna said.

Rocky quirked an eyebrow up and took in Gabe and Tony. “If
I’d known running could be so healthy maybe I’d have taken it up myself,” she
said.

Gianna laughed. Rocky had her cigarettes in hand and Gianna
knew she was heading out to smoke, probably cussing the stupid no-smoking
policy in the hotel the entire way. Rocky wouldn’t run if her life depended on
it. She’d just stand and fight. It was one of the things that Gianna loved most
about her.

Rocky stepped in to hold the door open while Gianna, Tony
and Gabe stepped out. She stopped Gianna with a touch to her cheek. “Get some
rest, honey,” Rocky said. “Relax.” Gianna saw Rocky glance at the two men still
behind her. “Enjoy. And remember that I’m right across the hall if you need
anything.”

“I know, Rocky,” she answered. “I’ll see you in the
morning.” At Rocky’s snort she amended, “Well, later this morning.”

“Take care of you,” Rocky encouraged and the elevator door
closed behind her, leaving Gianna with Gabe and Tony.

“It was nice meeting you.” Gianna mentally cursed at how
stupid the words sounded after the kisses they’d just shared. “Hopefully we’ll
run into each other again.” Preferably when they were all naked.

Tony stopped her outside her door before she could slip her
keycard in. “You sure you want to go in there alone?” he asked. And she knew
what he was offering. What they were offering, and as tempting as it was, as
much as her body was screaming for it, she nodded her head.

“I—” she started to say but Gabe stepped in and placed a
finger on her lips. He pointed to the door just down from hers.

“We’re right there,” he said. “Any time. As we’re here for a
prolonged visit with Dante I’m sure you’ll see a lot of us. Maybe all the
meetings will help you change your mind.” He grinned at her.

“I’ll see you later this morning too then I’m sure.” She had
the urge to grip his finger between her teeth then pull it in her mouth for a
good long suck. It took all her control not to as he pulled it back.

“I’m thinking you’ll be seeing a lot of us,” Tony stated and
Gianna was sure he meant more than just in passing.

“I’ll look forward to it.” And she would. They might be the
only bright spot she had while in town. Would it hurt to seek a little comfort
in their arms? She’d have to make a point to have Rocky find out more about
them. Or she could just ask Dante. Assuming big brother was willing and allowed
to speak to her.

She slid the keycard and stepped into the safety of her
room, leaning against the wall as her body shook with desire for what she was
denying it. How funny that coming back to the place she swore she never wanted
to see again could make her feel so alive.

Alive. She glanced at the clock and headed for the bathroom
and a quick shower before heading out to the hospital. She’d never sleep anyway
and maybe she could sneak in to see Stephano a little early.

Gianna took a deep breath as she stepped off the elevator
onto the ICU floor where Stephano was being watched over. Her fingers were
crossed that they would let her in for just a few minutes despite how early in
the morning it was.

“Gianna Marquetti! Is that really you?” Though a whispered
exclamation, it felt as if it carried all the way down the corridor. Gianna
cringed, hoping none of her family was near enough to hear it.

Turning, she couldn’t stop the smile from curving her lips.
Jessie Markle stood in front of her in scrubs, wearing a hospital ID badge. She
hadn’t changed much since high school when they’d both been cheering on the
football team and causing chaos wherever they went.

“Jessie!”

“Oh my God, I knew that was you. I just knew you’d come back
home for Steph. I couldn’t believe it when I heard he was shot. I’m so sorry
about your brother.”

Gianna felt the color drain from her face.

“Whoa, whoa. He’s still hanging in there. I didn’t mean to
scare you. As if you think your brother would give up. Stephano’s always been a
stubborn horse’s ass. Surely you haven’t forgotten that.”

Gianna could hear the questions and the hurt in Jessie’s
voice. When she’d walked away, it hadn’t just been her family she’d left
behind.

“I’m sorry I didn’t say goodbye.” And she was. She and
Jessie had been inseparable as teens.

Jessie smiled. “I won’t lie. You hurt me. But best friends
forgive. Period. And I know what you left. I understood then and I understand
now.”

Gianna sighed. She wondered if her friend really believed
the lies Michael had spread. “It’s not what you think.”

“Please. Like I would ever believe anything that asshole
Michael said. I know what he said and I know what your mamma did when she heard
it. I was waiting for you to call me but you must have felt like you needed to
leave.” Jessie looked incredibly sad. “I would have done everything I could to
help you. I’m sorry for what you lost, Gianna.”

She felt her heart catch. She could tell by looking into her
friend’s eyes that Jessie knew exactly what had happened all those years ago.

“You never said anything.”

“It wasn’t my secret to tell. No matter how pissed I got,
and let me tell you there were a number of people I got in trouble for punching
in the face. I almost got arrested when I broke Michael’s nose. But it was
worth it. He shut his mouth then and I doubt he even whispered your name
again.”

Gianna laughed. “You broke his nose?”

Jessie smirked, fisted her right hand and blew on the
knuckles. “Oh, yeah. It felt really good too.”

“How did you know he was lying?”

“Did you think I couldn’t see the signs? Did you think I was
that clueless? I was looking for you the day you disappeared. I knew he was
lying through his teeth. But by the time I found out where you’d gone, you had
already left. I confronted Stephano about it but he blew me off, like usual.”

Gianna sighed. “I should have known you’d figure things out.
I always thought you’d end up working in the police department.”

“Went to nursing school. I volunteer at Planned Parenthood
every other weekend. It’s the least I can do.”

Gianna felt the tears pool in her eyes. “I’ve really missed
you, Jessie.”

“I know you have. There can’t be anyone like me in the
circles you’ve been running in since you left here. Good thing for you, I have
a big heart and I love you. So you’re forgiven. You can make it up by making
time for me while you’re here. And not forgetting me when you leave again.
Deal?”

“Deal.” Gianna hugged her friend close. Ten years, and
Jessie had kept her secret. “Are you okay?”

“Me? Please, I stopped fawning after your brother years ago.
He only had to show me his disinterest for so many years before I got the
clue.” Jessie laughed. “Honestly I don’t think your brother ever got the clue I
fancied myself in love with him.”

“His loss.”

“Damn straight.” Jessie grabbed her hand and pulled her down
the hall. “The family left a few hours ago along with the police officers who
were waiting to hear if he made it through the surgery. He did, with flying
colors. Next seventy-two hours are critical, but it’s Stephano. If I’d had a
number for you, I would have called to tell you the coast was clear.”

“I’ll make sure you have it before I leave the hospital.”

“Hell yeah you will.” She stopped outside a door. “He’s in
this private room. Family is limited to a few minutes at a time, but since no
one knows you’re here but me…” She shrugged. “Well, I have paperwork to do and
a few other patients to check on. So I’ll be a while. I’ll check in on you
later.” She glanced at her watch. “It’s almost five. I’m betting the rest of
your clan will start showing up in another hour.”

“I can’t—”

“I know, Gianna. But you’re going to have to see them
sometime. At least here they can’t yell. Now go talk to Stephano.”

Gianna watched her friend walk down the hall. She should
have come back sooner. Should have called Jessie at some point. Invited her to
come visit. Should have, could have. It was a game she couldn’t play. Pushing
the door open, she stepped into the room and felt her heart catch, stopping her
ability to breath for a moment. That couldn’t be Stephano. Not her
larger-than-life brother.

The person in the bed had tubes running everywhere. He was
still and lifeless. Stephano was a whirlwind of activity. He couldn’t sit still
if he wanted to. She walked closer to the bed and let the tears fall down her
cheeks. Stephano. That was her brother’s face surrounded by the Marquetti black
locks. Everyone had them but Gianna.

He looked so fragile. So un-Stephano-like. Where was his
engaging grin, his belly laugh that made everyone join in? Where were those
twinkling blue eyes filled with mischief?

“Oh, Stephano,” she whispered his name as she took one still
hand in both of hers. “What have you gotten yourself into?”

She reached one hand up to brush the hair off his forehead.
“I’ve missed you so much. A thousand times I’ve wanted to pick up the phone and
call you. A thousand more I’ve wanted to come home and see you. But not like
this. I never dreamed I’d get a call that one of you was injured. Feared it.
But nothing can stop a Marquetti. Right?”

“That’s right, girl.” The voice in the corner startled her.
She shouldn’t have been surprised though. There was no way her father would
leave while Stephano was still fighting.

He stood up and walked toward her. He was still larger than
life to her but she could see how much he’d aged in the last ten years. Her
heart ached. She’d missed him so much.

“Come here, girl. It’s been long enough.” He held his arms
open to her and she couldn’t resist the comfort she knew she’d find there. His
arms closed around her and ten years worth of hurt and emotions washed down her
cheeks in a torrent of tears. “You should have come home sooner, Gianna.”

“I couldn’t,” she whispered the words against his chest.

“I’ve sat back long enough and let this foolish thing go on
between you and your mother. I expected one of you to see sense. But no more. Life
is too short for family to be at odds.” He sighed and placed a kiss on top of
her head. “I’ll see that there’s a room ready for you at the house.”

“No.” She shook her head and pulled back.

“Enough, Gianna. We will end this feud between you and your
mamma once and for all.”

She nodded. “But I’m not coming home this visit. I’ll stay
at the hotel. Besides I’m not so sure Mamma will want me there.”

“Your mamma will do as she’s told.”

Gianna snorted and then laughed. “Getting senile, old man?”

Salvatore smiled and shook his head. “Wishful thinking
maybe. But, trust me, Gianna. Your mother has been hurt just as deeply by this
feud as I imagine you have. I don’t know what happened. I know what that
Michael tried to spread but he shut his mouth quick. Had his nose broken twice
in one week. That shut him up.”

“Twice?”

“Seems your brother Cristiano got to him a few days after
your friend Jessie broke it the first time.”

Gianna smiled. “I’ve missed you, Pops.”

Her father smiled and cleared his throat. “I’ve kept tabs on
you. Seen all your photos and even watched that show on the entertainment
channel that showed you on that beach shoot. Very proud of you, Gianna.”

“I’m sorry, Pops. I just couldn’t come back. I…” She trailed
off as her father just hugged her close again.

“I know, girl. I’ve been telling your mamma that there’s a
purpose for everything that happens in life. Maybe the reason our Stephano is
lying there is so that you would finally find your way back home to us. Maybe
it’s to open your mother’s eyes and wake her up to what she is risking by
shutting you out. Hell, maybe it’s just to remind us all that life is damn
precious. Doesn’t matter. It happened and all we can do is watch and wait for
your brother to open his eyes.”

“Did they get the guy who shot him?”

He nodded. “He was drunk or high. Probably both. Didn’t
remember anything when they showed up to arrest him.” Gianna felt him trembling
with the emotions going through him. “Just rolled up the window and drove off,
leaving my boy bleeding on the street. Thank the Good Lord one of the other
state boys was close by and drove by to check. Otherwise…” His voice trailed
off. She didn’t need to hear her father say how close Stephano had come to
dying.

“Gianna.” Jessie’s voice was a whisper as she entered the room.
She looked up and met her friend’s eyes.

“Oh, Mr. Marquetti, I didn’t realize you were still here.”

“Jessie Markle, is that you lurking in the shadows over
there?”

“Yes, sir, Mr. Marquetti. I was just stopping by to let
Gianna know that I heard Cris and Dante in the waiting room. I, uh, figured
she’d want to know.”

“Expected she’d want to run, you mean.”

Gianna felt her face flush as she watched Jessie’s do the
same. Suddenly she felt like a teenager all over again. Back in the days when
she and Jessie were always getting scolded for the things they’d done.

“Well, that was a possibility,” Jessie admitted. Her friend
had always been too brave for her own good.

Salvatore just smiled. “I’ve missed you, Jessie. You should
stop by the house. It’s been too long since we’ve seen your face.”

“Ten years.”

Gianna was startled. Had her friend avoided her family since
she’d been gone? Why would Jessie do that?

“I remember you sniffing around Stephano when you were
younger. Still got a thing for my boy?”

Gianna watched her friend blush again but Jessie answered,
“No, sir. The heart can only take so much rejection. Besides, hard to respect a
man who lets family walk away without pushing to know why.”

The dig was deep and Gianna caught her breath. She couldn’t
believe that even Jessie would have the balls to say something like that.

Salvatore just nodded. “I like you. You’ve got gumption,
Jessie Markle. Is it still Markle?”

“Yes.”

“Any of my remaining three sons would be lucky to find a
woman like you.”

“Yes, they would.”

Salvatore chuckled and giving Gianna another kiss on her
head, he pushed her from his arms toward the door. “Go see your brothers,
Gianna. No more running.”

Gianna nodded. Maybe she’d been wrong about things. Maybe it
wouldn’t be as bad as she feared. She took the hand Jessie held out to her and
stepped outside the door.

“What are you doing here? Family only in these rooms.”

The cold words of her mother greeted her as she entered the
hall. This is what she’d feared. This is what she’d expected. She felt her
heart shrink. Her dad had given her hope that maybe it wouldn’t be so bad, that
maybe she and her mother could mend fences. But who was she kidding? Her mother
would never forgive her for what she thought Gianna had done. And Gianna had
too much of that Marquetti pride to beg her mom to listen to the truth.

“Gianna is family, Mrs. Marquetti,” Jessie spoke up at her
side.

Her mother just glared at the two of them. Gianna never got
the chance to hear what her mother’s reply was. Her father stuck his head out
the door just then.

“Belinda, leave it be.”

Her mother opened her mouth.

“No more, Belinda. We have one child fighting for his life
and you still wish to treat our daughter like this?”

Her mother turned to her father and began a torrent of rapid
Italian. Obviously her emotions were getting the best of her right now.

“Enough,” her father said and this time his hand sliced
through the air between them, a sure sign he was done. “We will discuss this
later. Gianna, go see your brothers. I will expect to see you later this
evening. Don’t make me send one of your brothers after you.”

He took her mother’s arm and pulled her into Stephano’s
room, letting the door shut behind them.

“Well, that wasn’t so bad,” Jessie murmured and Gianna just
looked at her friend.

“Compared to what?”

“Well, neither one of you spontaneously combusted.” Jessie
made a big deal of looking Gianna up and down. “No broken bones or even a drop
of spilled blood.”

“There’s that.”

“I’m off in another hour. Wait for me and we’ll grab some
breakfast? Fill each other in on what’s been going on?”

“Sounds good.” Gianna smiled. “I’m really glad I ran into
you.”

“We’re blood sisters. It was inevitable.” Jessie grinned.
“Now go see your brothers and remember that you’re in a hospital so no
yelling.”

Gianna shook her head. She was making no promises. So far
she was one and one. Her father was demanding she return to the fold while her
mother was still determined to think the worst of her. She knew Cris was on her
side. But what about Dante and Angelo? What about Nico? And what must her
little sister Isabella think of her?