Page 61 of Giovanni the Savage

My heart clenches painfully from the guilt, and my eyes glaze over from a different emotion than he thinks it is. I want to keep it shut so I won’t have to lie to him. However, even I know it wouldn’t be a lie if I said it back, but not in these circumstances. His grin is still on his face, and I want it to remain, so I force my lips to say the words he wants to hear.

“I love you too.”

*******

“This is the best meal I’ve ever had,” I comment and clean my lips with the napkin before placing it backon my lap. I look up to see Giovanni clutching his chest in an attempt to feign hurt.

“What?” I smile.

“Wait till you taste mine,” he declares proudly.

I blink in surprise. “You cook?”

He smirks. “The best self-taught chef you’ll ever meet,” he gloats, holding his head high.

“How didn’t I know this?”

He shrugs. “You never asked. Maybe I’ll showcase my skills someday.”

Someday. A day that might never come because, after tonight, I’m facing my responsibilities.

I clear my throat and decide to change the topic.

“I’ve always wanted to try white wine,” I mutter truthfully.

The waiter comes to our table with our bill.

“Can I have the Rossi wine, please?” Giovanni asks, referring to the white wine on the menu.

“Gio, it was just a thought,” I start.

“We only sell it by the bottle, sir,” the waiter replies. I exhale.

“We’ll have the bottle.” Giovanni gives me a triumphant smirk when the waiter leaves.

“Really? That's a thousand dollars according to the menu!” I exclaim.

He smiles and holds my hand. “But you said you wanted to try it.”

“Yeah, but …”

He shuts me up by kissing my knuckles.

“Just relax and let me take care of you, Luna. Because I want to.”

I smile at his sincerity and nod, then lighten up the mood.

“I’m kind of relieved you brought me to a restaurant on our first date and not something too extravagant.”

He smiles coyly.

“So that means I shouldn’t mention the private helicopter tour that we have in an hour?”

“Gio!” I laugh. “I knew it was too simple to be true.”

Little does he know my words have double meanings. This life is too simple to be true, too easy to be true. Soon enough, it’s going to go back to normal. Him to his mansion and me to my struggle of getting away from killers.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN - Giovanni

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