My Stepbrother's Dirty Little Secret novel Chapter 669

Chapter 669

Yet…

Raphael had gone to them anyway.

He watched me carefully, “There are conditions.”

I nodded almost immediately.

“The meeting will take place in the Capone cemetery.”

I blinked, “The cemetery?”

He nodded, “Your mother will be there. I wanted the first meeting to happen where Hazel rests. So if, after seeing your father,” he paused, “You decide you want to leave Chicago, you’ll make that choice knowing exactly what you’re leaving behind. Hazel, your family here and Jules.”

I opened my mouth to say something but his expression became serious again and that shit me up.

“Jules stays in Chicago. She won’t be meeting Giovanni ever in her life. She won’t be traveling to Philadelphia. That isn’t open for discussion.”

My chest tightened, for one brief, painful moment, I wondered if I could really live without my little sister but it would only be temporary…

He gave his head a shake, “No one is forcing you to stay but no one is forcing you to leave either. If, after tomorrow, you still want to go to Philadelphia,” he drew a slow breath, “…that decision will be yours.”

He took one careful step closer. This time he stopped before I felt the need to step back.

“But there is something I need from you first.”

I looked up, “What?”

“The truth.”

A knot formed in my stomach.

His eyes searched mine, “Why did Hazel spend so many years keeping you away from Giovanni?”

I felt my pulse in my throat.

He held my gaze, “I’ve never lied to you, Gianna. I’ve told you things about myself that I’ve never told anyone. I trusted you with them. Now, I’m asking for the same trust. Please, tell me the truth.”

I looked down at the floor, the lie tasted bitter, “It is the truth.”

When I looked back up, Raphael was still watching me. He was waiting for me to change my mind.

But I couldn’t, not yet.

So I held his gaze and lied to the only person I had never wanted to lie to.

Raphael was quiet for several more seconds, then he gave a slow nod, “You’re lying. I can’t prove it today but I will one way or another.”

I sucked in a sharp breath.

He held my gaze, “I’m letting this go for now but I want you to understand something. I’ve never been afraid of the truth. I don’t care how ugly it is. I don’t care who it hurts. I can deal with the truth,” His jaw tightened, “What I can’t deal with… is being lied to by the one person I chose to trust without hesitation. I gave you that trust willingly. I expected you to give me the same.”

Shame settled heavily in my chest. He deserved the truth. He deserved better than this… better than me.

He drew a slow breath, “And whether you realize it or not, you’re breaking my heart,” his expression barely changed when he said those words, “I don’t think you even understand how much.”