But instead of telling her that, I tell Ferro I’ll let him know if I need back up and end the call.
“This one it is, then,” I tell her, unable to stop smiling.“You can leave the crap you came in with in the dressing room.
She gives me a dark look and disappears back into the dressing room.Another fifteen minutes later she comes out wearing the dress, new shoes to go with it and a bag that’s bulging so much I’m sure it’s stuffed with the clothes I told her to leave behind.
But I’m done arguing with her.
Because we’re about to have some fun.
Chapter21
GIANNA
I figuredthe black and gold thread dress I chose would make him mad, because it is technically black.Instead, his eyes lit up like an explosion when he saw me in it and I just wished I could bask in it and enjoy that look of lust, longing, and devotion he gave me.Not for the first time since he took everything from me.
The stuff I bought was crazy expensive and I’ll throw it all away with the biggest glee when I run.Later tonight.
The bag is leaning against my leg under the table now as we sit at a candlelit table having dinner.I’ve had so little to eat in the last few days that I’m at once incredibly hungry and totally without appetite.I got a cheesy pasta dish, thinking it would make me feel better, since that’s always been my comfort food, but so far, I’ve only managed to eat a couple of forkfuls, washing them down with large gulps of a sweetish white wine.
The restaurant is full of people, but somehow, it’s very quiet, practically soundless around our table.Each time the waiter comes to ask if there’s anything we need, it sounds like he’s screaming the question, even though he’s not.The windows overlook the shimmering boardwalk and the dark ocean beyond, but I hear no sound coming from that direction either.
In the reflection, I look as dolled up as all the other women in here, but the look on my face is so vacant, so sad and empty I can’t even look at it.So I’m focusing on the dark ocean instead.
“I thought you liked going out to dinners and such,” he says in between bites.He’s almost finished the steak he ordered.The blood on his plate is another thing I can’t look at.
“I do.With family and friends.”
“And I’m neither.Is that what you’re trying to say?”
I raise my wine glass and tip it in his direction, inclining my head before drinking the contents.
The darkness in his eyes intensifies, as though all those shadows that follow him around closed ranks around him.The waiter rushes to refill my glass, but Matteo beats him to it.
“One more and then you’re done.”
“What?Don’t you want me to have fun?You could order us something stronger.”
I drink about half my glass.I don’t like getting drunk on wine.The hangover headache is always the worst when I do.
“I think you should take it slow,” he says.“What would your father say?”
I just barely manage not to spray him with a mouthful of the wine.“Why on earth would you care about that?”
“I think I’m the one who has to keep you safe now, like he would.”
“Why?Because you fucked me and abducted me?Because I have to do what you say?”I ask.“That’s not the same as being my protector like my father was.”
“Call it what you will.”He leans back with his own glass of wine in his hands—deep red in his case, like blood.
“I call you a murderer.My father is dead because of you, isn’t he?”
I’m both too drunk and not nearly drunk enough to hear the truth about this.But it all makes sense now.Why they let me see my sister.Why he took me out of the houseto have fun.It’s because even if I run, I have nowhere to run to.My family is gone.
“He’s not.”
I’m sure he’s lying, he must be.But the honesty in his eyes is the same as I’ve always seen there.His knack for saying exactly what he’s thinking is definitely one of the top reasons why I fell for him.
“You’re lying,” I say anyway.
