My Stepbrother's Dirty Little Secret novel Chapter 674

Chapter 674

Capone soldiers were everywhere.

No one would get anywhere near the family.

It was impossible.

I stayed a few steps behind everyone else. They had gotten used to me wandering off. As long as I stayed inside the secured building, nobody seemed worried.

My eyes wandered across the lobby until they stopped on the phone sitting behind the front desk.

My heart began beating faster. I knew the number. He gave it to me the other day before he left. I had repeated it to myself every night until I no longer needed to think about it.

Dad’s number.

I glanced over my shoulder.

Claire was helping Aurelia onto a small carousel. The guards were watching the entrances as I slipped down the hallway.

When I reached the phone, my fingers trembled as I lifted the receiver, then hurriedly, I dialed the number

I had memorized.

“Pronto?” his voice came through the receiver. (Hello?)

My throat closed, “Daddy.”

There was silence at first, then I heard him breathe, “Gianna…”

I closed my eyes and I wasn’t standing in the middle of a lobby anymore.

I was fifteen again.

“Why did you do that? I asked you to help me,” my voice came out sharper than I meant it to, “I was begging you. I was crying. I needed my dad…” I swallowed hard, “And you turned around and walked away.”

His breathing grew heavier on the other end of the line, “I didn’t walk away from you.”

“You did.”

I looked down at the floor, “But they are my family.”

He was silent for a heartbeat, “They’ve cared for you. I won’t deny that but you’re still my daughter and I want you back.”

The receiver felt heavier in my hand. I swallowed, “How badly?”

There wasn’t even a second of hesitation, “More than you’ll ever understand.”

I looked back at them, watching Aurelia and Jules run across the play area while Claire laughed behind them. Maddie was busy juggling Nero and Killian.

“Then…” I swallowed, “…let’s put that to the test, shall we?”

“Name it. I’d do anything.”

I took a slow breath, “I have friends. My best friends. Tasha Brooks and Jasmine Reed.”

I recited their names carefully, then gave him the address of the run-down apartment building where they were hiding now.

“They might be in danger. I want them somewhere safe. I want you to give them new identities. I want them to have a real chance at life. A place to live. Good jobs. I need to know you will look after them.”