I don’t mean him, not really.But you never know.
“Smart,” he says.“But I’ll make sure this office is always guarded just in case.”
“Good,” I tell him.“And I will start making some calls now, find out the lay of the land.I’ll reveal the first stage of my plans tonight.”
Caputo nods and leaves the room, with no more grinning or smirking, or condescending advice.
I think he now understands that I won’t be second-guessed or underestimated any longer.I’m the last man standing in a long and ancient line of Rovina men who fought the curse to stay alive and carry the family name forward.That’s all on me now.There’s no room for doubt anymore.No room for fear.I just have to get it done.
And stay alive long enough to father at least one heir.Which is actually what I would very much prefer to be doing for the rest of the day.And night.Watching Goldie parade around in all those pretty dresses gave me a serious hard on that is showing no signs of weakening.
But that’ll have to wait.
And besides, I’m almost getting used to being half-hard and fantasizing about her all the time.Good thing too, because that will clearly never change.
Chapter7
GIANNA
I’min the vast bedroom with the beautiful view, surrounded by all the gorgeous clothes I bought.They’re covering all available surfaces, and include everything from evening dresses to casual dresses, shirts, blouses, pants, shoes, bags, casual wear, nighties, and so much beautiful underwear of all shapes and designs.And only about half of it is black.
In my old life, I’d be in Heaven right now, trying on the clothes, dreaming up all the combinations, figuring out makeup looks to go with each outfit.I got a ton of makeup too, a few perfumes, and assorted toiletries.Everything I need to stop looking like a disheveled homeless person that almost got kicked out of that store to being the woman I used to be.The one they closed down stores for when she went shopping.
It all seems so empty now.So vain.So far removed from my actual reality.
Although a part of me enjoyed the shopping very much.It’s why I didn’t get nearly as many black mourning clothes as I planned on getting.And it’s why I had the best time taking everything out of the bags and boxes after Matteo and his sour-faced assistant brought it all up for me.
But the sun is setting.It’s not quite a golden sunset, it’s too tinged with red for that.The color of blood.Because that’s what will happen here now.Blood will be spilt.Maybe my father’s blood.Maybe Matteo’s.
I don’t like how I hate the idea of those two things happening with the same kind of fear and distaste.
I hate him and I love him.
But the more time I spend with him, I love him more.I love him a little more each time he shows me some of that warmth of his that I was first drawn to.
And it’s not even because he buys me things.Or says the right things.
It’s in the little things.The way he stood there, rigid, and stony-faced as I waited to hear the news of my sister’s condition.The way he visibly relaxed while I spoke to her.The way he rescued me at that store like it was a personal affront to him that the sales ladies were mean to me.The way he understands me.The way he doesn’t blame me, not even for trying to kill him.The way he protects me and gives me everything I could possibly want even as he keeps me locked up.
And the way he touches me.Looks at me.Makes sure I have it all—all the pleasure, all the comfort, all the love—even though I lost it all.Even though he’s the one who took it all.
I shake my head, toss the intricately woven panties I’ve been holding—enjoying the softness of the fabric and the beautiful design—on the floor and walk to the balcony.It’s the pretty, serene whiteness of the bedroom that is making me go all soft inside.Everything is in shades of white, light blue, gold, and silver in there, the edges rounded, the fabrics flowing, all the edges rounded, the decor taken straight from some upscale magazine.I’d say whoever decorated it wanted it to match the ocean stretching out into infinity outside the windows.Soft, pleasant, timeless.Comfortable.And they succeeded.
But I don’t want to be comfortable.
I want my family back.
The garden is a different matter.The trees and shrubs are wild here.Tall palm trees, oleanders with beautiful pink and white flowers and sharp poisonous leaves, aloe and agave plants overgrown, their fat pointed arms stretching out all over the place.But the grass is cut short and some of the trees and bushes show signs of having been cut back recently.
The sun is halfway in the water and shade dark as night is developing in parts of the garden.Shade filled with men.They started arriving soon after I was deposited in my bedroom prison.
Grim-faced, dressed in black and dark grey suits, some patrolling the grounds, some just wandering around, taking in the place.None of them smiled.They didn’t talk much either.Matteo greeted each and every one, his silver suit catching the dying light of day long after everything else was shrouded in shadow.
His looks in my direction were always hotter than the sun, even as twilight fell.I wished he would come to me.And I didn’t.I wished he would kiss me and hold me, and I didn’t.I wished he would let me run this house for him and I didn’t.And I don’t know which of those is the truth.And which just lies.
The garden is completely dark now, even the white flowers black.I didn’t hear the lock on the bedroom door unlock, and I didn’t hear his footsteps.But I felt the heat of the sun as he entered the bedroom, feel it now as he joins me by the balcony railing.
“I’d have thought you’d be wearing something new by now,” he says, sounding tired and a little disappointed.Sad, even.
