Chapter Eleven
“Well, you’re my Short Stack, Bella .” Giovanni’s response steals the air from my lungs. Why do I like that possessive reaction?
My cheeks heat as I allow the words to settle over me. A deep chuckle rumbles through his chest while we continue our walk through the house. It takes a few moments before I can find the right words. Being in his presence just does something to me that I can’t explain. The organ in my chest thuds erratically as he gently squeezes my hand in an attempt to drag the answer from my lips.
“Why did you want me here? Why not just leave me with my dad? Why bother with a woman you’ve never met that obviously has more issues than Cosmopolitan?” My voice is so low as the embarrassment of my admission consumes me.
So many things rush through my mind as I wait for his answer, one that I realize he never actually disclosed last night. I keep my eyes focused on the ground as we continue to walk but he stops me. Giovanni’s fingers grip my chin and drag my gaze up to meet his. The warmth in those milk chocolate irises is like a balm to my soul and eases some of the anxiety.
“Nina, the moment he told me that you were essentially being held like Rapunzel, there was no doubt that I had to get you out of there. No one should be held captive like that. Had I known of your existence sooner, I would have made it my fucking mission to get to you before I did.” His thumb traces my bottom lip as he speaks, “Honestly, I wish I had gotten to you sooner, no matter how many issues you think you may have. I won’t allow you to go through this life on your own any longer.”
My lip's part with a gasp at his admission, his declaration. We don’t speak again after that; Giovanni leads me into the home gym. My eyes go wide at the sheer mass of machines, I could work out every day for a month and never use the same device twice.
I must lose track of time because a light tap startles me from the weighted squat, causing me to drop the free weights which just narrowly miss my toe. Sweat drips down my brow as I take in Giovanni, now dressed in a dark grey suit that fits like a goddamn glove. Holy shit, he’s even more beautiful than I thought.
“ Bella , you’ve been in here for two hours.” His tone is full of worry, but I see his lips twitch as he fights his reaction when I realize it’s him. “Don’t burn yourself out.”
God damnit, I need to work on my face. It’s so unfair that he can read me like this. I feel something pressed to my hand. When I look down, I notice he’s handed me a towel. I smile and graciously accept, immediately wiping my face free from the evidence of my workout.
“Sorry, I got into what I was doing. I’m going to hate myself tomorrow.” I groan, leaning down to grab the water bottle I’ve already refilled a handful of times.
“Go shower, Mrs. D will have breakfast ready for you when you get back to the kitchen.” His tone is playful, but I can feel the command in his words. “I’ll be out most of the day, go explore. I’ll see you later, Bella .”
Without another word, he walks out of the gym, leaving me on my own. I inwardly groan as I traipse behind in his wake and head back to my room. When I finally peel my workout gear off and step into the shower, a sense of peace settles over me. How is it that I never realized how little my own father cared about me? The affection shown from the people in this house is so wildly different from anything I've experienced in my sorry existence of a life thus far.
I step into the kitchen to find Jade rushing around working on a meal and Vanna seated at the kitchen island chatting away with a steaming mug in front of her. Vanna notices me first, her eyes crinkle in the corners as she smiles and waves me in to join her.
“Good morning, Sweetheart! I hear you’re an early riser like my Giovanni.” She murmurs.
Jade turns toward Vanna with a scowl on her face as she scolds, “Vanna, he’s told you to call him Johnny how many times?”
Vanna rolls her eyes at Jade as I take a seat next to her. My cheeks flush at their conversation, realizing I’ve only been calling him Giovanni.
“What is it, Sweetheart?” Vanna pulls me in close, wrapping me in a side hug as she greets me.
I shake my head, not ready to unpack what him allowing me to call him that means. She squeezes me tighter against her side as she chuckles knowingly just as Jade directs her attention to me.
“Good morning, Nina! Would you like some coffee?” Her pleasant tone makes my lips turn into a bright grin.
“Oh, uh – I'm not allowed to have coffee.” I admit, you could hear a pin drop at the silence that falls over the room.
Jade and Vanna share a look that shows concern mixed with fury. Jade leans across the counter and clasps my hands in hers.
“Unless you are allergic to something, you may have whatever you like.” Her soft smile tugs at my already fragile emotions. “If I don’t know how to make it, I’ll figure it out or call in a professional chef.”
My eyes begin to well with tears as Jade whips up the best breakfast I could ever hope for. When my confession of breakfast being a revolving door of yogurt with granola or fruit, she took it upon herself to create a smorgasbord of options for me to try. After tasting things such as eggs, bacon, pancakes, and a number of other breakfast menu items, I feel like my stomach will burst if I take another bite.
“Jade, I – you – this is too much.” I push the plate away, “Everything is so good, but I –”
The words die on my lips as she snorts out a frustrated laugh.
“Oh, you poor girl, is this the first time you’ve been full?” I don’t have a chance to respond when a group of men in suits begin to file into the kitchen. I think they’re the same copy and paste ones from yesterday based on how a few of them stare. Jade turns her attention to the men, “Help yourself, boys, I’m not taking requests today.”