Page 46 of Stalking Ginevra

His hand cuts through the air like a scythe, making me fall silent. “Spare me the apologies. I’m not interested.”

My explanation dies in my throat, leaving only another sting of rejection. Benito didn’t bring me here for closure or reconciliation. He’s probably just curious.

“Tell me about this stalker.” He leans back, his expression unreadable.

The command snaps me to attention. “Someone working for you broke into my house and made threats. The police won’t help.”

Benito’s eyes narrow. I squirm under the heavy silence, feeling small and painfully exposed. When he picks up his paperwork, I almost see the thoughts flickering in his mind. I’mwasting his time. It’s all my fault. If I’d stayed with him, I’d be treated like a princess, not some pervert’s pawn.

“The things he makes me do are degrading,” I say with a shiver. “He comes to my room at night, demands sexual favors, and he nearly got me fired at work.”

When he glances at his watch then frowns at his document, the words shrivel once again on my tongue.

The Benito I knew would have flown into a rage at the thought of a man trying to get too close. Instead, he’s more interested in his work. This indifferent version of him may as well be a stranger.

“He’s dangerous,” I add, my chest tightening, my voice wavering with desperation. “And depraved. It’s only a matter of time before he escalates and somebody gets killed.”

That finally captures his attention, and he glances up from his document. He leans forward, making me hold my breath in anticipation of his response.

My heart flutters in its cage like a trapped bird. This is more nerve-wracking than waiting for the verdict of a judge.

“What do you want me to do about it?”

His question hurts worse than a gut-punch. When he picks up his phone and glances at its screen, my stomach drops to my feet. Benito once lashed out when some guy bumped me in a hallway at college. Drove his face into a door then made him apologize to me on his belly.

This lack of reaction is… uncharacteristic.

I expected anger or assurances—not this apathy. Pride tells me to walk away, but I stay rooted in place, determined to get his help with my stalker.

As the moments drag on, my lungs tighten with frustration. I want to snatch those papers and tell him my life is at risk. But I’m in no position to make demands. Sucking in a deep breath, I gather the last shreds of my dignity.

“I was hoping you could help, tell him to back off, or assign someone to watch over me,” I mutter.

His eyebrow arches, and my confidence unravels. My heart shrivels along with my courage. What gave me the nerve to come to the man I betrayed for help?

My gaze darts to the exit. “Sorry. I know I’m asking a lot considering... I shouldn’t have come?—”

“Ginevra.”

I freeze, my chest expanding with a flicker of hope. Maybe part of him still cares.

“You’re asking for my protection?”

“Yes,” I rasp.

“Protection to the level you’re demanding isn’t as easy as assigning you a few of our men. I don’t need to explain why our ranks are diminished.”

I flinch, my chest caving into my stomach. Over half the Montesano organization defected to Samson’s father after Uncle Enzo died, taking with them about a billion dollars worth of assets. Holding Benito’s gaze, I force myself not to fidget. This is the moment he confronts me outright about how Dad helped steal from his family.

After what feels like an eternity of silent accusation, he adds, “That sort of protection comes with a price. It’s the only way I can guarantee your safety.”

Relief loosens my muscles, and I give him a hesitant nod. “What is it?”

“You said your stalker works for my family?”

“Yes.”

“As my wife, you’ll be untouchable. No one would dare cross me, let alone this character.”

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