My Stepbrother's Dirty Little Secret novel Chapter 85

I walked to the door, and opened it just a crack, then stepped into the gap, using my broad frame to block every single inch of the view behind me. Behind me, Gianna was a lump under the sheets, and if she so much as coughed, my life was over.

It was Aunt Alessia.

Even this late, she looked like she was ready for a photoshoot in her dark silk dress. She was the only person in this family who I loved more than anything, but right now, she was the last person I wanted to see.

"Raphael," she said, a warm smile spreading across her face, "You’re finally home."

I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat feeling like a stone, "Aunt Alessia. What are you doing here so late? It’s way past your bedtime."

"I came to spend a night here and I was waiting for you," she said, stepping closer. I didn't budge. I stayed rooted to the floor, my hand gripping the doorknob so hard the metal bit into my palm, "The guards at the gate told me your bike came in an hour ago. I couldn't sleep until I saw all of you. You know how I get."

If she pushed past me, I was a dead man. Alessia was old-school. She believed in the Capone name. If she found Gianna in my bed, it wouldn't just be a scandal. It would be a betrayal. The look of disappointment on her face would hurt way more than any bullet I’d ever taken.

"Raphael," her voice snapped me out of my thoughts, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I said, and I forced a small, tight smile. "Just a long night."

She didn't seem convinced, she could easily tell when I was lying or when I was telling the truth, she reached out to hug me and I hugged her back with one arm before taking a step back just an inch, pulling the door with me to keep the gap narrow.

She clicked her tongue, her eyes darting to the sliver of darkness behind me. "Is there a girl in there?"

My blood ran cold. "No..."

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