Chapter Ten
A vortex of emotions emanates from the beautiful woman seated in front of me. Every part of me wants to pull Nina in and hold her close, but I know that’s not what she needs. I lift her hand and clasp it between mine as I keep my eyes trained on her. She glances up at me through her thick lashes, tears stain her face from the onslaught of information I’ve thrown at her.
“Nina, you will never be a prisoner again.” I squeeze her hands to offer some reassurance, and she lets out a breath. “You are free to go anywhere you wish. I just ask that you allow one of my men or myself to accompany you for your protection. At least until we know more about what my grandfather and your father got us sucked into.” Her shoulders stiffen as I continue. “I wanted you here so that I can protect you from the evils of our world, and that is exactly what I intend to do.” As soon as my explanation is complete she lets out a heavy sigh and her shoulders sag as understanding dawns on her of how serious I am about protecting her while allowing her freedom.
We sit in silence for a bit. When her tears continue, I stretch across the couch — my body hovers over hers while still holding her hand in one of mine. I grab the box of tissues that has Mrs. D written all over it since no one else would think to put them in here. After I pull a Kleenex free, the initial instinct to take care of her is so strong, yet I resist the pull and hand it over. She dries her eyes almost mechanically. I’ve never hated a man as much as I hate her father. Not even Andy, and my hate for him is the entire reason I’m in this situation.
“I don’t want to push you tonight, but I need to know as much as you can tell me about your experience.” Nina lifts her head to stare at me and I reach out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. She stills but doesn’t pull away from my touch.
“What experience?” Her voice cracks as she speaks for the first time in a while.
My heart breaks for her. I'm terrified of what she's going to tell me. I'm worried that whatever it is will have me foregoing my current plan of gaining intel before I kill her father and just going to his house tonight to gut him like a fucking fish.
“Any and everything. The good, the bad, the ugly. Milo mentioned you had never been outside? I need to know everything.” I pause when I see the tears begin to well again. “But for now, why don’t we get you back to your room so you can get to bed. I’m sure you’re exhausted”
I climb to my feet. Realizing our hands are still clasped together, I help her stand. She smiles shyly and then drops her hand from mine. My lips twitch as I try to stifle the grin her reaction to me causes. Gently placing my hand on the small of her back, I guide her out of my study and back to her room. The heat that radiates from her skin through the oversized sweatshirt has my dick stiffening in my pants, which I do my best to ignore. We pass Danny Boy in the hall, standing at attention outside of Nina’s bedroom door. He nods to both of us and offers a kind smile to Nina. I stop at the doorway, not wanting to cross into her space. She turns to face me one last time.
“Giovanni,” Nina’s soft voice calls out to me. “Thank you for being honest with me. As much as I want to return the gesture and tell you everything...” the words die on her lips.
I start to move into her space but stop myself.
“ Bella , you can tell me when you’re ready. You’re safe here. If you need anything, there is an intercom on your nightstand to reach out to Mrs. De Luca through the night.” As I take a step back into the hallway, I notice one of my men leaning against the wall. “Danny Boy will be stationed outside of your room tonight if you need anything that Mrs. De Luca can’t help with.”
Nina nods and meanders into her bathroom, closing the door behind her. I turn to Danny who schools his facial expressions like the dutiful soldier he is.
“I’ll be up for a bit if she needs anything.” The words come across as more of a grunt than an actual statement.
A sharp throb in my temples wakes me from a restless sleep. When my eyes flutter open to see it's only four thirty in the morning, I groan loudly and curse under my breath. I throw the sheet off my legs and stand up to stretch my stiff muscles. Fuck, I’m tired.
I drag on a pair of dark sweatpants over my briefs and grab my phone from the nightstand before I make my way to the kitchen. My hand scrubs over my face as I try to drag myself out of sleep when I crash into something soft and warm that lets out an adorable little squeak. I drop both hands and reach out to steady whoever it is that I walked into, just to find a pair of sparkling silver eyes staring up at me. A small gasp escapes her when she realizes my hands are on her.
I cautiously take a step back and release her from my grip. That’s when I realize she’s only wearing a navy-blue sports bra and a pair of bike shorts. FUCK. ME. The matching sweatpants and shirt set gave no indication of just how tight her body is. Every bit of blood rushes straight to my groin. I already thought she was gorgeous, but Jesus Christ, that body and that face. Fuck, how did she get that lucky? How the fuck did I get this lucky? No, damnit, Johnny. OFF. LIMITS.
“Good morning, Bella .” My voice sounds like gravel from sleep.
Nina’s cheeks flush a bright pink as I take her in.
“Morning, Giovanni,” the soft cadence of her voice this morning is doing nothing for the erection, which is somehow now even harder after hearing her speak. “I hope I didn’t wake you. I couldn’t sleep and Danny said that there was a gym, and since I’ve never been in a gym I just wanted to see what you had.” Her voice lowers to a whisper as she finishes speaking.
“ Fottuto Stronzo ,” I growl at myself, and take a moment to fill my lungs with air as I allow myself to calm. “ Bella , even if you were the reason I woke up, I couldn’t be upset about that if it means you’re the first face I see in the morning. But, no, you’re not why I'm awake. Have you been there yet?”
Nina shakes her head gingerly. My lips twitch into a warm smile as I take her hand in mine. As we walk through the quiet halls of the Ludovico Estate, her presence brings a calm over me that I’m not used to. I feel her eyes on me while we walk. When I glance down at her, she tries to dart her gaze away which makes me chuckle.
“What is it, Short Stack?” A grin takes over my face and I don’t try to hide it this time.
Oof, if looks could kill I’d be a dead man. She’s got daggers in her eyes, and they’re aimed directly at me.
“I liked Bella .” Nina’s sass slaps me right across the face. And I’m here for it.