“Protecting what’s mine is in my nature. I know you don’t like my methods—”
“But your intentions are in the right place, I know. Sometimes, I lose my temper and I get 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’m sorry.”
“You always want to right the wrongs. I respect that about you. I’m sorry if I stepped on your toes. I might be a bit too accustomed to calling shots and making decisions.”
“I’ve heard enough of your business conversations to figure that out. I just had to calm down enough to realize you didn’t do this to hurt me.”
“Never.”
“And I wanted to be really mad at you for forcing me to introduce you to my parents.” She gave him a wry, if reluctant smile. “As hard as it is to admit it, you were right. 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 minute I’ve been with them.” She sighed. “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 mad, too.” A tight grin tugged at his lips. “I don’t often lose control of my temper.”
“Do you want these last eight days with me?” Gia looked like she held her breath. “You don’t have to coerce me. I’m more than willing to give them to you.”
Jason couldn’t find her words anything other than endearing. “Why do you ask? Because you want to spend those days with me or because you need money?”
“Both,” she admitted quietly.
He watched her closely, trying to puzzle her out, but her normally expressive face didn’t give a lot away. “We can negotiate the time together. 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, complete with a gasp. “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’re mad? I’m not trying to buy you, if that’s what you think. I just thought that since you always worry about Mila and the kids—”
“Thank you!” Gia threw herself at him, arms encircling his neck, legs around his waist, squeezing tight.
Damn, the minute she touched him, he wanted to tear her clothes off, restrain her, and get as deep inside her as possible.
Not far away, he saw a few moms watching over their kids stop and stare at them. Public scenes were nothing new to him…but definitely not with kids nearby.
Jason cleared his throat and gently eased Gia to her feet. “Baby, as much as I’d love to do every fabulously dirty thing to you I can think of, now isn’t the time.”
She sent him a little scolding glance with a laugh, but she still blushed. “I know. I just… Wow, I know you paid off Mila’s mortgage for me, and I can’t think of anything that makes me happier.”
Relief wended its way through his bloodstream. “Thank God. I finally figured out this morning 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 most thoughtful thing you’ve ever done for me.” She grinned from ear to ear. “Mila is happiest being 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 money to eat. Now, without a mortgage, she’ll have enough 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.”