Page 93 of Hostile Secret
I stare back at him, fully aware of the authority he has over me and how he could kill everyone in this house before snatching me away. And how he’s become the sexiest man I’ve ever encountered in my whole eighteen years of life.
“Is everything okay?” Lingering on the periphery, Fabian’s voice breaks the awkward silence. I choose not to reply, so he doesn’t become a target.
“India.” Giovanni’s jaw works as his teeth grind.
His throat is corded with muscle and the deep timber of his voice when he says my name is completely disarming. My knees weaken when he grabs my arm and yanks me into his solid chest.
“Do you need to be reminded of who you are to me?” His breath heats the shell of my ear, his voice a low rumble for only me to hear. “Should I fuck your pretty face while they watch my little whore get wetter and wetter for me?”
“I asked you to trust me,” my murmur escapes in a breath. “I wasn’t going to do anything.”
The way in which he gradually glides his hand to my throat is both chilling and exhilarating. He doesn’t speak again, controlling his breathing—the hard wisp of each exhale creating unbearable anticipation for his next move.
Without a care for the gawking teens around us, he smashes his lips over mine, hard and hungry. He glues me to his body using unwavering strength and bends my spine when he leans in to deepen the pressure.
Our brutal kiss isn’t tender or romantic; it's an overprotective monster proving his authority over me. Regardless, this display of false ownership isn’t necessary. I don’t really belong to him. I’m simply trying to fit into a temporary existence until I leave.
I can handle Fabian. He’s not the guy I’m obsessed with. All this display highlights is Giovanni’s inability to trust me, and as sad as that fact is, it puts me in danger of the very man kissing me.
But what’s worse is the small gathering of friends who are witnessing this secretive man stamp his mark on me.
They all think the guy who’s devouring me in Ana’s kitchen is my brother. None of them know he’s a cartel hitman and belongs to the most powerful family in Colombia. And here I am, caught in his snare and secretly happy he came for me.
How the hell do I explain this without each of them ending up dead.
“Holy shit… that can’t be her brother,” Valeria gasps in the background.
Giovanni bites my lip and tugs, lessening the intensity. As he pulls away, his gaze cuts to Fabian. His lungs expand and contract while I dab my swollen lips, wondering what will happen next.
“This one is out of bounds. Comprendes?” Giovanni grits out. “She’s under my protection, and I’ll kill anyone who touches her.”
“Now it all makes sense,” Ana says, giddy and flustered, appearing beside me. “Does your brother know you’re fucking your bodyguard, India?”
28
GIOVANNI
Her friends are all staring at us.
It was a calculated move to covertly breach the Vargas grounds and spy on her. Bursting in through the front door unannounced was a reckless impulse and gave the security team a reason to get paid.
But I’m Giovanni motherfucking Souza, and I’m not bothered by lazy guards or a bunch of horny teens. Except for the one guy who had his hands on India. That fucker is lucky I haven’t slit his throat––yet.
“Time to go home, India.” I cuff her wrist and start to leave.
“I’m sorry guys…” India knows better than to argue and follows me without a fight. Even though she’s compliant, I can sense the frustration of my interruption ripple from her body to mine.
“I’d leave with him too!” Ana shouts at her. “Call me later?”
I don’t want to stay here a second longer than necessary. So, I don’t give India the opportunity to reply and she trails behind me at a determined pace.
“You’re unbelievable,” she mutters the second we step out into the cool evening air. “All I wanted was one night to pretend my life was normal again.”
“With that guy?” I lead her across the gravel turning circle, towards my bulletproof Jaguar I-Pace, the latest addition to my collection of electric vehicles. “You think he’s your ticket to fun?”
My blood is still boiling and I’m seriously close to snapping. This isn’t me. Outbursts aren’t my way of dealing with situations. I’m always levelheaded and in control. But tonight, fuck, she’d tipped me over the edge.
“Yes, actually, Gio. He could have been my ticket to prom.” She throws open the front passenger door. “But guess what—you won’t let me go.”
