Page 104 of Hostile Secret
INDIA
Giovanni had fulfilled his promise, and more. I came so many times that night that my body became too weak to move and my eyes had involuntarily closed.
When I woke, aching and stiff the next morning, I found myself tucked up in a huge bed where a pomegranate sunrise flooded an opulent suite. It felt like I’d made love to the devil and arrived in Heaven.
Giovanni was next to me, naked and hawk-eyed. The instant I’d tried to move, he hauled me onto his chest and held me there.
We’d spent the morning enjoying breakfast in bed together until Leo demanded his father’s time—and then mine.
That's how it's been for the past few weeks.
We’ve settled into a natural flow, where I stay in his wing of the house, hang out with him and Leo, and go to school during the week buckled into a handmade leather thong with adjustable straps.
It has a golden, miniature heart shaped padlock at the crotch that can be conveniently opened by the man who wears the key on a chain around his neck.
It’s not an actual chastity belt, because I can unfasten the thin straps at any time. But he likes to see it before I get out of the car and throughout the school day it acts as a reminder that I’m his.
And I am.
He still hasn’t told André about our relationship or that he has a son, and it’s started to make me uneasy. André calls me most days, and during our last conversation, Sinéad asked me about a color palette for my new bedroom in their Italian mansion.
With the help of a designer, she’s turning the Sapori master suite into a nursery and decorating my living quarters is top of the list after it.
I hadn’t spoken to them about visiting Italy until last night. André had told me his twin brother had confirmed he would personally put me on a jet when the time was right, which is apparently soon.
Although Giovanni claims he won’t let me go and has moved me into his real home, I’m nervous.
We haven’t been followed again and a few guys on the Souza payroll had infiltrated the Blanco ranks to find out more information. So far, they haven't found anything, or even heard my name being mentioned.
It’s only a matter of time before André demands I join them. And after hearing him say Giovanni would put me on an international flight, I’m not convinced the man I’m living with plans to reveal our dirty secret to his family.
I should have known forever was a lie.
Somehow, I’ve managed to stop Ana and Valeria digging for answers about mybodyguard boyfriend. I told them my brother would kill us both if he found out, which, strictly speaking, isn’t a lie. Reno would lose his shit over this affair.
Sometimes I wonder if that's what adds to the thrill of being with Giovanni, the fact I’m rebelling against the life Reno had wanted for me––or maybe I’m punishing my brother for dying young.
However, deep down inside, I know the real truth. What started out as a crush had escalated into something far more meaningful, so the thought of leaving Giovanni and Leo weighs heavily on me.
The girls have gradually accepted that I don’t want to talk about my personal life in any great detail, and Fabian hasn’t said much to me at all. In fact, I’d go as far as saying I’m dead to the guy.
Apparently, he told Sebastian I’m the one who got away.
This afternoon Leo is noisily munching an apple. Daenis is sleeping on the couch next to the floor to ceiling window and Giovanni is watching me over the top of his coffee mug.
Dark hair hooks his brow, and a black sleeveless top showcases his muscular tattooed arms.
For a heart-stopping moment, our gazes meet and my stomach flips. His subtle smile has a way of making my insides go mushy and my pulse race.
Looking over at him, I don’t just see a killer or a powerful Souza; I see him for who he really is. A man spending time with his adorable son, without barriers or secrets. I’ve been gifted with his trust to sit opposite him, witnessing every single moment.
The sight of this man in his natural habitat captures my heart.
When my cell phone buzzes in my pocket, I fish it out and open the message from Valeria. It's a selfie taken in the mirror, which shows her prom dress glittering under the lights in her bedroom closet.
She looks beautiful. The expensive designer dress clings to her hourglass form like syrup and her hair is messily scraped into a bun. Alongside the picture, she uses the hashtags #promprincess, #promlife, and #bringonprom.
Last week, the senior students at Thornhill had focused solely on the biggest night of the year, which is happening tomorrow. I’ve tried to ignore the constant chatter about dress fittings and entertainment, but it’s hard not to feel left out and disappointed.
