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"Protecting what’s mine is in my nature I know you don’t like ht place, I know Soet emotional When I look back later, I see clearly that I overreacted I’ve gotten pretty good at eating crow over the years I wish you had told me that you intended to deal with Wayman, but I know you didn’t mean to take away my opportunity for justice"

"I didn’t"

"After I calmed down, I realized that I took my frustration out on you I’s I respect that about you I’ht be a bit too accusto decisions"

"I’ve heard enough of your business conversations to figure that out I just had to calh to realize you didn’t do this to hurt me"

"Never"

"And I wanted to be reallyave him a wry, if reluctant sht They really love you"

A bright spot in this mess "I’m pretty fond of them, too Your niece and nephew are adorable and clearly idolize you"

"They are a handful I’ve loved every hed "But we’re not here to talk about the kids"

"No," he agreed "You don’t want a divorce What do you want?"

"What do you want? When you left last night--"

"I was ed at his lips "I don’t often lose control of ht days with me?" Gia looked like she held her breath "You don’t have to coerce ive the other than endearing "Why do you ask? Because you want to spend those days with me or because you need money?"

"Both," she ad to puzzle her out, but her norotiate the tiether The money…" He reached into his pocket and pulled free a piece of paper he’d folded and placed there earlier after picking it up off the fax machine at his office, then he handed it to Gia

She scanned it "What’s this?"

"Read it," he encouraged with a bob of his head

With a frown, she did Her expression changed from impatience to confusion Finally surprise overtook her face, coasp "You didn’t!"

"What?" he asked innocently

"You paid off my sister-in-law’s house?"

She screeched the question, and he took a step back "You’reto buy you, if that’s what you think I just thought that since you alorry about Mila and the kids--"

"Thank you!" Gia threw herself at hi tight

Damn, the minute she touched hiet as deep inside her as possible

Not far away, he saw a fewover their kids stop and stare at the new to him…but definitely not with kids nearby

Jason cleared his throat and gently eased Gia to her feet "Baby, asto you I can think of, now isn’t the tilance with a laugh, but she still blushed "I know I just… Wow, I know you paid off Mila’sthat h his bloodstrea that you wanted the divorce settlement to help your family, so I just took care of it I know I didn’t consult you first"

"It’s the rinned fro a stay-at-home mom, and even with my salary and the proceeds from the sale of my house, I could barely keep up financially I didn’t want her worrying about affording the house or wondering how they’d find the h left after Tony’s death benefits to take care of their necessities and save a little for the future She’s going to be so incredibly happy"

"If you’re happy, that’s what matters to me"

"I’m thrilled But…" She winced "I still want theMila’s e? All two hundred fifty thousand?"

"Yes Today, if you can get it to me"

Jason’s first reaction came from the cynic in him She wanted money and she still intended to let the divorce happen? Why? Had she decided that she couldn’t live without the swanky shopping? He stared down into those deep dark eyes of hers, the lush rosy lips and paused Did her reasons really matter? If all he had to do in order to keep Gia was take her to the s to line her closet…

He frowned and put the brakes on that thought altogether Gia wasn’t Sa off a family member’s house, rather than try to bribe her with baubles

"Who needs the money?"

She bit her lip "It’s complicated If you’ll at least consider it, takeThen…you can decide what you want to do about thehis wife, the money would benefit someone else far more than her, at least directly She would probably derive her satisfaction froer had to worry, but who? Her parents?

"Separate cars? You lead I’ll follow" They headed toward the lot

Gia gave hirin She looked like such a sensual woht his eye first She was all curves and angles, graceful At the moment, however, she looked a bit like a child with that smile

"Can I ride with you?"

Jason palmed his keys "You like the car"

She shook her head "No, I’ressive And…sexy"

Jason laughed "Hop in"

As he pressed the button on the fob, the car beeped and unlocked He opened her door and helped her in, then shut her inside Bracing against the car, he closed his eyes for a second, allowing himself a moment of triumph She didn’t want a divorce

So what happened with them after this jaunt to the bank? Gia wouldn’t tell hiood and ready But any ti