My Stepbrother's Dirty Little Secret novel Chapter 613

Chapter 613

She wasn’t strong enough to physically stop either of us.

“Raphael,” her voice came out stern, “Take one step back for me.”

I didn’t move.

She looked up at me, “I know. I know exactly why you’re angry.”

The pressure of her hand against my chest increased just enough to make me aware of it.

“I would’ve been angry too but this isn’t how your mother would’ve wanted you to defend yourself.”

Claire looked over her shoulder at Salvatore.

You don’t “And you…” there wasn’t an ounce of fear in her voice, “You’ve heard him. He isn’t a little boy anymore. have to agree with his choices but if you keep trying to force them out of him, this family is going to lose far more than an argument.”

Madeleine understood immediately. She stood from her chair and walked straight toward Salvatore. She rested a hand against his arm, “Come with me.”

“I’m not finished.”

“You are,” her voice stayed respectful, “Please. Hazel is upstairs. You really want her hearing this?” Maddie gently took hold of his sleeve, “Come on.”

Without another word, Maddie guided him toward the door and closed it on their way out.

Only then did Claire let go of my arm. She looked up at me, “You’scared me.”

I frowned, “I wasn’t going to hit him.”

“I know,” she smiled sadly, “I was afraid he was going to hit you.”

I glanced toward the closed door, “No, he wouldn’t. He knows better.”

Claire followed my gaze before looking back at me, “Maybe but I wasn’t willing to find out.”

A minute later, the study door opened again.

Madeleine stepped back inside and quietly closed it behind her. She looked around the room before speaking, “He is with Hazel. They’re talking. So…. we should finish this tonight.”

Vincenzo watched her carefully, “There’s nothing left to finish.”

“There is,” she glanced at me for only a second before looking back at him, “Raphael and Gianna love each other. I don’t think any of us have the right to decide they don’t.”

Claire blinked, then slowly turned toward Maddie, “…Wait. You knew?”

Maddie gave the smallest shrug, “I did.”

“I honestly thought everyone had figured it out tonight,” Silvio gestured around the room again, “I clearly underestimated this family’s communication skills.”

Dante grinned, “No, you just underestimated how good you are at missing the obvious.”

The corner of my mouth moved, “I wasn’t exactly advertising it.”

Silvio looked at me, “You could’ve mentioned it.”

“I didn’t see the strategic value in telling you anything.”

Adriano laughed, “Only Raphael would treat falling in love like it’s classified information.”

“It was.”

Vincenzo had been watching all of us in silence. When the room finally settled, he pushed away from the desk, ” Alright. What exactly is the plan?”

I met his stare, “I’m staying with her.”

“I already assumed that,” he looked as though he’d been expecting that answer, “And Gianna?”

“I’ve never forced her into anything. Whatever we are… it’s her choice as much as mine.”

“I know and I’m not questioning that,” he was quiet for a few seconds before speaking again, “Raphael… I’m not having this conversation because I want control over either of you. I’m having it because I know you. You expect precision. You expect people to think before they act. You expect them to learn quickly. You expect them to improve. And when they don’t…”