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Pia shrugged, uncoine what your father must have felt What Frank did to me is minuscule by co he did ith a

“Gio didn’t help by doing what he did either I can’t trust anyone— nice to me I can’t help but search for deeper motives Perversely, it’s what makes me trust you”

His frown only deepened “What about me?”

“Your animosity, your suspicions I can count on you to be brutally honest, even if I don’t like your assumptions The reason why I…” like you She cut herself off at the flare in his eyes Words solidified the feeling in her chest The last thing he needed was to learn that he was beginning to grow on her “I don’t understand why your mother doesn’t like me still”

“She lives in a permanently terrified state that I will take the same risks with my money that my father did and doo separate funds for my sisters, for Alyssa and her”

“Funds you cannot invest in your business?” Pia asked, shocked by the implications It not only showed a distinct lack of faith in Raphael’s abilities as a businessman but also a callous obsession ealth over her son’s feelings

“Si Over the last few years, she got used to hearing Gio’s continual clai to me—which he did to annoy his ex-wives and their constant bickering for ainst my possible failure and downfall Now you are a threat to that insurance”

Was it any wonder he assumed she was out to fleece Gio with the mindset he already had?

To believe that one’s ownbut a source of her inco but a provider? Had he even been allowed to grieve for his father before he’d had to take on the mantle of his family?

Because, despite everything, it was clear he cared about his fah to stop shouldering the responsibility of his sisters and their families

And he adored his daughter

Suddenly, Pia saw Raphael more clearly than she ever wanted to She didn’t want to see any depth to his hardness, any soft edges beyond his cynicis but an impossible fantasy and a reluctant ally