My Stepbrother's Dirty Little Secret novel Chapter 53

A small, uneasy breath left Hazel’s chest, but she still looked uncomfortable, “She didn’t mean any disrespect,” she said quickly. “She just… she’s always been like this.”

Dad’s thumb rubbed slowly across the back of her shaking hand. Hazel looked down at their hands for a moment before continuing more quietly.

“Gianna has spent most of her life taking care of herself,” she said, “And Jules. She learned very early that if she wanted something done, she had to do it herself. She doesn’t like depending on anyone,” Hazel added, “She’s not ungrateful. She’s just… proud.”

Vincenzo nodded slowly, “I can see that. And for what it’s worth,” he added, “a young woman who is determined to stand on her own feet is not something I consider a problem.”

Hazel’s shoulders relaxed slightly at that.

Vincenzo glanced briefly toward the closed study door where Gianna had left, “She’ll find her place here in her own time,” he said.

“I hope you won’t think badly of her,” Hazel added gently. “She’s been through a lot, and sometimes she forgets that not everyone is trying to take something from her. Thank you for everything you are doing for us. I’ll go check on Gianna.”

Then she turned and walked toward the door. Dad followed close behind her, one hand resting lightly against the middle of her back as if guiding her out.

My jaw tightened.

Where the hell had that man been when our mother needed it?

Once we were alone, Adriano pushed himself off the bookshelf with a quiet scoff, “That girl has a mouth on her.”

Dante chuckled faintly under his breath, “Jesus,” he muttered, “You try to give someone a free education and they act like you insulted their bloodline.”

I leaned back against the desk, crossing my arms.

The image of her replayed in my head. That chin lifted. Those eyes locked on mine.

“I’m not a charity case.”

My teeth pressed together slightly.

Adriano shook his head, “She doesn’t understand where she is yet.”

“No,” Dante agreed lazily. “She really doesn’t.”

Vincenzo opened a drawer in his desk and pulled out a cigar, rolling it slowly between his fingers while he thought, “She will,” he said calmly.

“She’s stubborn,” Adriano added.

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