Page 69 of Giovanni the Savage

“How did you …?”

He scoffs. “Of course, that’s what you’re worried about.”

I backtrack. “No, I.”

“Shut up, Luna!” he bellows, and I look up at him.

I’ve never seen him this angry before, so, it makes tears spill out. His jaw is ticking, his eyes are red; there’s a vein going down his face.

“You know, I started having my suspicions,” he starts. “Or more like Ivan did. After I had interrogated my men to find the mole and found nothing, Ivan suggested that I clone all my workers’ phones to search for anything we could find because we were convinced it was an inside job. So, I let him.”

I tighten my lips and stifle a sob.

He looks at me. “You know I didn’t want to clone yours? I ordered Ivan not to because I trusted you, but he did anyway, and look what he brought for me this morning.”

I sniffle. “I can explain, please.”

He smirks. “I knew you’d say that.”

He dips his fingers inside his pocket and brings out another device that looks like a recorder. “But can you also explain this?”

He presses a button, and my voice starts playing through it from my call with Victor minutes ago.

I’m frozen in my spot. Too shocked to speak or move.

He tilts my chin up and grabs it harshly.

“I trusted you, Luna.” His broken whisper pierces my heart. “I trusted you more than my damn self. Opened up to you in a way I haven’t with anyone in the world. I fucking loved you, Luna.”

I wince at his use of the past tense.

“I do love you, Gio,” I croak.

His eyes darken in anger; I miss the light in them when they are on me.

“Your definition of love is disturbing.”

I squeeze my eyes shut and rein in my sobs.

“Do you know how it feels to hear you were ready to end my life? That you’re not who I thought you were.”

“Please.”

I don’t know what I’m begging for. Maybe it’s for him to hear me out or for the ground to open up and swallow me; either way, I can’t handle his wrath.

“I can tolerate anything, Luna. But not betrayal.”

I shake my head when his fingers drop from my chin. He retrieves his phone from me.

“I’ll be back in three hours. By the time I’m back, I don’t want to see you or your property anywhere around this vicinity.”

The finality in his tone makes me gasp, and I almost fall to my knees.

“Gio, I can explain.”

“You should be lucky I’m letting you leave alive.” He turns away from me. “So, you better do it before I change my mind.”

He opens the door and walks out, slamming it shut.

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