My Stepbrother's Dirty Little Secret novel Chapter 683

Chapter 683

Adriano rested an elbow on the table, “And if we don’t?”

Giovanni looked at him, the smile disappeared, “Then we’ll discover which of us has been planning further ahead.

I watched him. His breathing hadn’t changed. His posture hadn’t shifted. No clenched jaw or restless/hands,

nothing. He hadn’t come here hoping to win. He had come here already convinced he wouldn’t leave empty- handed.

Beside me, Vincenzo slowly laced his fingers together, “You keep using the word peace. Men usually do that right before they explain what happens if they don’t get what they want.”

“Gianna isn’t leaving Chicago,” I added.

Giovanni’s eyes moved to me, “You answered rather quickly.”

“I didn’t need time,” I held his stare, “She’s staying right where she is.”

He studied me for a few seconds before speaking again, “You speak as though the decision belongs to you.”

“It belongs to the people keeping her alive.”

Giovanni’s eyes narrowed, “It belongs to Gianna.”

“No,” Vincenzo answered this time, “It belongs to all of us. She’s my family:”

Giovanni gave a slow nod, “And she’s also my heir.”

That caught everyone’s attention.

“I didn’t come here because I miss my daughter.” He paused, almost irritated with himself before letting out a quiet breath. “God knows I do…” He shook his head. “But that isn’t the only reason I’m sitting at this table. I came because the future of Philadelphia sits in Chicago.”

Even Adriano’s smile disappeared at that.

Giovanni continued, “Gianna is the next head of the Philadelphia Syndicate. I have to train her. I have to harden her. I have to prepare her before the day I’m no longer here.”

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