Page 106 of Hostile Secret
When he witnesses the goosebumps, a slow smile tugs at the corners of his whiskered mouth. “I’m not scared of anyone, and I don’t give a fuck what people think about us, least of all, Dré. He’s my brother. I love him, but you’re my…” He pauses before continuing. “… you’re my girl. Even if this starts a family feud, I’ll never give up on you, baby. All I’m asking for is your patience. I need time to figure shit out.”
He leans in and kisses the tip of my nose, looking at me as if I’m the queen of his hidden kingdom. My core clenches despite myself and I blink away my grief-stricken tears.
Tension mounts between us when he stands upright, his thick arousal so very visible within his gray sweatpants. His stance stiffens as he waits, his muscles coiled with power as if he’s a heartbeat away from giving in to filthy whims.
The sexy expression he wears darkens despite the sunlight pouring in through the picture window above the bathtub. He’s not angry that I’d offloaded my feelings and challenged him about André—no, it's obvious he’s turned on.
Electricity prickles my skin. The entirety of his restraint fills the bathroom with unbearable heat. He’s holding back to prove the monster within him can obey me too.
“Take all the time you need. This is your home. If you need space, there’s a whole coastline out there for you to walk along and clear your head. And when you need me, I’ll be right here waiting.”
As he starts to leave, my heart leaps after him. I jump to my feet and rub my salty eyes to see better. “When will you tell him?”
Giovanni stops and glances over his shoulder. “Soon enough. And when I do, there won’t be any doubt who you belong to.”
33
INDIA
“When did the plans change?” I prop my phone on the bedside table while I paint my toenails.
“We all got the memo yesterday. I think it's a cool idea. So, what do you think? The Venetian filigree masquerade mask…” Ana holds it up to her eyes and then swaps it. “Or the glitter rhinestones mask that reminds me of the phantom of the opera?”
“Oh!” Valeria peers closer to the screen so her nose is magnified. “I love the glittery one.”
“Yeah, me too.” I pretend to be invested in her selection, so I don’t sound like a bitter and twisted wallflower.
It’s prom night, and the event organizers have switched things up by adding masquerade masks for the first half of the evening. Ana and Valeria are getting ready at their own houses and I’m all alone in Giovanni’s suite while he sorts out urgent business.
“Okay, call me back when you guys are ready. I can’t wait to see your dresses.” I paint on a thin smile.
“We miss you, India,” Ana sings.
“Wish you were coming with us, girl.” Valeria adds.
“I know… you guys won’t miss me when your dates arrive.”
Ana’s eyebrows waggle and a dirty laugh rolls in from the back of her throat. “Damn right. Tonight is the night.”
After we end the three-way video call, I throw myself back onto the bed and hug a pillow, which inadvertently turns out to be Giovanni’s. His masculine scent lingers on the rich cotton and makes my tummy flip.
Suddenly, the door flings open. I jackknife to sit and watch Leo barrel into the room, trailing a garment bag twice the size of him.
“India!” He grins. “Yanni bought you a dress. He told me to give it to you.”
“A dress… why… where is he?”
Leo shrugs. “I don’t know. He said you have to put it on and meet him in the library in thirty minutes.” My heart flutters. “Put your hand on the screens and you can go through any door in Blackwater. It’s like magic.”
Gio had programmed my handprint into his security system? I’m visibly trembling when Leo asks, “Can I see your dress?”
I climb over the duvet and drop off the bed, jogging across the room to where he’s standing. Maybe Giovanni has decided to host a pretend prom in the front of the house where only the ghosts can witness us dancing together.
My hands tremble when I unzip the bag, unhook the hanger, and remove the floor-length black dress. Onyx jewels adorn the upper half to create an elaborate heart-shaped corset and satiny fabric spills to the floor, the touch of it whispering through my fingers.
“That’s pretty.” Leo throws the bag over his shoulders to make a cape. “Can I keep this?”
“Of course you can.”
