Chapter Fifty Three
Carly
I knew. When Gio walked in the door, I knew the fucker who’d attacked me was dead. There weren’t any obvious signs. He didn’t have blood on him or anything, but the tension that had kept his shoulders tight was no longer present. He moved as though he didn’t have a care in the world.
“Did he suffer?” I don’t know who was more surprised by my question; me or Gio.
“He did,Amore. He begged and pleaded for death before the end.”
“Good. It’s what he deserved.” Who was this cold-hearted woman dwelling inside me? I’d never thought of myself as cold or callous, but two people – in as many days – were dead, one by my own hand, and all I felt was relief.
“Don’t berate yourself for not being upset over his death, Carly. I can see it on your face. You’re relieved and that troubles you.”
“How do you already know me so well, Gio?”
“I am a quick study,Bella, when it suits me to be.”
I started to laugh and gripped my side. “Oh, God, don’t make me laugh. It hurts too fucking much.”
“My apologies. Now, what are you doing out of bed and how did you get downstairs?”
“I was going stir crazy in the bedroom. Risa helped me get down here so we could watch movies in the entertainment room. I promise, I didn’t over do anything. I took it easy. If I had to stare at those four walls any longer I was going to lose it. I needed a change of scenery, Gio.”
“Bella. As long as you had help, I don’t mind you being down here. I just don’t want you to hurt yourself.”
“Gio, I was cut up. I’m not an invalid. I can walk up and down stairs without the world crashing down around us.” My voice came out in a frustrated growl.
“Oh, the kitten has claws. Careful,Tesoro. I might have to test this side of you out.”
“Stop. I know I’m not exactly attractive anymore, Gio. You don’t have to pretend to find me desirable.”
“What did I tell you,Bella? You are beautiful to me. Nothing is going to change that.”
He kept saying it, but I couldn’t believe it. I saw what my face looked like. I knew, once the stitches came out, there would be these ugly scars marring my once smooth cheeks. No one could find something like that desirable. That didn’t even take the chest, stomach, and side into account. I looked like a science experiment gone wrong.
“Don’t make me turn you over my knee,Amore.”
I stared at him. Did he just say what I think he said? “Yeah, right. I’m a grown woman; you wouldn’t dare.”
Before I knew what was happening, I found myself propped on a pillow across his lap.
“You were saying?”
“This isn’t funny. Let me up, damn it.”
“Non,Bella. I think you need to be taught a lesson. You are beautiful, and I will not have you belittling yourself because of our attack. Maybe this will help you to remember that.”
I tried to squirm but he held me in place. I didn’t think he would really do it until he actuallydid. His hand came down on my right ass cheek and I squeaked. “Ow! What the hell?” Before I could say anything else, he he hit the left cheek. Several more blows later, he finally stopped. By then, there were tears on my cheeks and I was mortified to realize I was turned on.
“I never want to hear you belittling yourself again.”
After pulling me onto his lap, he wiped my tears away.
“That wasn’t nice, Gio. I’m an injured woman, after all.”
“Your injuries were well protected,Amore. Did you learn your lesson?”
“Yeah, yeah. No putting myself down.” I looked down at my lap a moment before I returned my attention to him. “I admit, that kind of…turned me on a bit. Weird, right?”
