Page 186 of Stalking Ginevra

“But you need to be down there.”

Benito’s features twist in that conflicted way that reminds me of when we were ten, and I begged him to let me paint his nails. Torn between pleasing me and preserving his pride, he glared at the tiny bottles of polish like they were grenades. Now, his grimace holds that same reluctance, like he’s warring with himself over whether to stay.

“You need to go.” I place a hand on his shoulder. “Our honeymoon starts after you’ve handled Victor.”

Jaw tightening, he scowls and then nods. “Get dressed. I’ll drop you off on the way.”

Moments later, we’re back in our clothes and in Benito’s car. He drives in silent contemplation, so I leave him to his thoughts. My mind drifts back to that strange expression he made after I came all over his face. It was almost like regret, which I don’t understand, considering he’d enjoyed pleasing me so much.

Sometimes, Benito is a puzzle. A puzzle wrapped up in prickly layers concealed in shards of ice. I thought I’d melted through them to reach the man who adored me with all his heart.

Before I know it, he pulls into an underground parking lot. Armed guards nod us through a series of metal gates and scan Benito’s card with hand-held devices. Security cameras blink at us from every angle, looking like we’re about to enter the pentagon.

What the hell awaits us on the other side?

“This is all connected to the casino?” I ask as Benito parks beside a row of black SUVs.

“More or less.”

He cuts the engine, opens the door and exits, then walks around to help me out. We continue down a hallway, where Benito scans his card again to call an elevator.

When its doors open, I recognize its mirrored interior. “This is the penthouse overlooking the casino.”

He nods. “You’ll be safe here.”

“Why can’t I accompany you to the office?” I ask.

He presses a single button, which makes the door close. “The last woman connected to Victor came with explosives. The maintenance guy he was working with got shot in the head. I’m not taking any chances with you.”

My stomach lurches as the elevator rises, and I turn to Benito with a gulp. “I didn’t know Victor was that deadly.”

“People will stoop to heinous levels to get what they want.”

A chill runs down my spine at the thought of Victor setting up more bombs.

The doors slides open, revealing the spacious penthouse with its gleaming marble floors. Across the pale interior, through floor-to-ceiling windows, stands the casino’s front façade and its luminescent fountains.

“Order whatever you want from the house or the hotel,” he says. “Both will bring you food.”

I grab his arm. “Does Victor know you’re coming?”

“I hope not,” he growls.

“Hurry back.” I pull him close.

He kisses me with an intensity that makes my knees buckle. “Not even a slimy bastard like Victor can tear us apart.”

The door shuts behind him, leaving me alone in the apartment. I head straight for the kitchen, needing something to calm my nerves. The fridge is stocked with bottles of wine, water, and iced tea, but none of it is sweet enough to cut through the lingering tension. I rummage through the cupboards, finding a tin of cocoa powder and a carton of milk.

It looks like I’m having hot chocolate.

I take my time, making the drink the way Sofia taught me when I used to visit the Montesano mansion with Dad. Back then, the housekeeper was a strong, maternal presence, while Benito’s mother was distant.

Lucia Montesano spent all her time with her youngest son, Cesare, so it was a surprise to everyone when she left them all the moment Uncle Enzo died.

After pouring the steaming contents into a mug, I take a sip, letting the warmth spread across my tongue. The rich, creamy taste does little to soothe the uneasy flutter in my chest. What if Victor is already lurking in the casino, ready to ambush Benito?

I shouldn’t be so morbid. Benito is surrounded by guards. He can take care of himself.

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