Page 14 of Dangerous Games of Trust

My head spins, and my body trembles so hard my fists clench into balls. “What the actual fuck, Geo,” I yell, louder than I should in the confides of his car. But I’m fucking fuming. He just used me for my thumbprint.

“I’m sorry, Red, but you signed the contract, agreeing to have me help you with your businesses, but first we need access to it. I had the location of your papa’s safety deposit box, and you had the key. Or were the key,” he mutters, offering a half smile in the cheeky way only he can get away with.

A sickening realization hits me right in the gut. “Oh God, this is what your pa was talking about when he said he was going to take what he wanted from me dead or alive.” I stare at my thumb, thankful it’s still attached to my body.

He flinches at my comment, and I know he wasn’t aware just how close he came to that reality. He reaches over, stroking my knee. “You are safe now,” he says, trying to reassure me, or maybe it’s himself he needs to comfort. Either way, his words don’t make me feel secure.

What was my papa thinking setting me up like this? He had to know what kind of target he was placing on my back. Maybe that never crossed his mind. I guess he was thinking I wouldbe owned by Carlo, saving his life, and this box would never be needed.

I touch the necklace Maddox gave me, clasping it in my hand, wondering what he would make of all this. “What was in that box?”

“The blueprint to run your papa’s businesses,” he surprises me by answering honestly.

As I watch him driving, I catch a brief glimpse of his eyes darting toward me. “Why was Alessandro so obsessed with marrying me for my family name, if all he needed was my finger? Carlo obviously knew that was all I’m good for.”

“Definitely not all you’re good for. Enzo likes to run things differently to Carlo; he wanted revenge for what he thought was a bad business dealing. My guess is on the advice of his son who wanted something more from you. He didn’t even know the treasure trove he had in his grasp.”

“Luckily for me. I wouldn’t have put it past him to slice my hand off if he did.”

Geovani laughs, trying to ease the tension.

But I wasn’t kidding. That man hated me. “Don’t keep me in the dark again. If we’re in this together, fucking tell me what’s going on instead of scaring me with all the secrets.”

“That wasn’t about keeping you in the dark, Red. I wanted to keep you safe. Call me paranoid, but I have no idea who’s watching us or listening to us right now. I shouldn’t even have you out of the apartment, except we need to get started on what your papa left behind, so I risked it.” His hand comes to my leg. “Do you get it? I’m not the bad guy here. We’re in this together, you have my word.”

I nod, hearing him. His explanation does make sense, he’s told me everything now. I guess I’m just so used to being kept in the dark that it gets me fired up. “Now what?”

“We go back home to bed,” he answers like it’s obvious, but he knows that wasn’t exactly what I was asking. He runs a hand over his stubbly jaw, and I can’t help but notice the dark circles forming under his eyes. He’s worn out. I guess being so shifty takes it out of a person. Especially when they never sleep.

“Are you coming to bed this time? You haven’t slept in there with me yet, but you said we had to share the room.” I keep watching him, waiting for his reaction.

When our eyes meet, I see a flicker of guilt in his gaze. “I don’t sleep a lot, Harley. If I need it, I’ll catch an hour on the couch.”

I raise a brow. “Or you’ll just stand in the door watching me sleep like a creeper,” I say, calling him out on his bullshit. I’m so sick of it.

He returns the eyebrow raise, but he can’t deny it. I’ve seen him standing there in the doorway when he thinks I’m asleep. He’s always watching me.

“You have to sleep properly sometime. How are you supposed to protect me when your pa comes for what he thinks is his?” I’m not really sure why I’m pushing this issue with him, if it’s just me feeling vulnerable tonight or insulted that he doesn’t want to sleep next to me. Or maybe I’m just fucked in the head and still have some unresolved feelings with him from when I thought he was my hero. Either way he’s not now, and I should be grateful he’s keeping his distance.

Eventually I give up on waiting for him to answer me and turn away, leaning my head into the window and closing my eyes. Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut. I might have just tipped him over the edge with my smart comments.

As the car comes to a stop, my eyes slowly flutter open, only to meet Geovani’s intense gaze. I must have really fallen asleep. Why is he looking at me like that? Before I have a chance to ask him, he forcefully swings open his car door, swiftly exiting the vehicle.

I follow him into the elevator, crossing my arms across my chest protectively as we head back up to his apartment. Things between us just got weird. Now I feel awkward and don’t know how to fix it. I didn’t mean to be pushy about him sleeping in bed with me, I was just worried about him. I kind of feel bad. I mean, I obviously stole his bed. Reluctantly, I start climbing the stairs. He doesn’t follow me, and when I glance back over my shoulder, I find him pouring himself a drink. Maybe he needs some space. This place is kind of crowded with us all shoved in here.

I continue up to the room, shrugging off his jacket before sinking back into the plush sheets and pulling up the comforter so I’m all cozy and warm. There is no way I will go back to sleep now, I’m too wired thinking over what just happened.

I’m surprised when the door opens, filling the room with light from the hall. Tonight, instead of just standing in the space, watching me pretend to sleep, Geovani comes inside the room, closing the door behind him before removing his jeans and hoodie. He slips in beside me in just his boxers. I watch his every move, eating up every hot inch of his chiseled ink-covered abdomen. I forgot how insane his body was. But man, he’s a god.

“You’re trouble, Red,” he grumbles.

I can’t help but smile to myself as he wraps his arms around my body and pulls me close to him. I’m tempted to run my hands over his smooth skin, but I refrain. Nothing good can come from me touching him, especially when he’s almost naked. “I still hate you,” I whisper, making sure he’s crystal clear where we stand. Right now, I might need him to make me feel safe in this fucked-up world that I don’t understand, but I don’t forgive him for what he’s done to me. The lies and even using me the way he did tonight.

“I know. I’m still reeling from you taking off and agreeing to marry Alessandro, so let’s just call it even.”

I glance over my shoulder. He’s angry with me? “You know I had no choice.”

As his hand glides down my arm, a shiver runs through my body. My heart kicks up a beat. I like his rough hands on my bare skin, and I greedily want them to keep moving. To touch me the way he did when he fucked me in his gym. He was rough and demanding. I ate up every second of our time together. “Maybe. I also know the way you look at him when you’re together. You’re like that emoji with the love-heart eyes.”

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