Page 10 of The Bonventi War
I cross my arms, trying to create some barrier between us. "Oh, please, enlighten me."
"From today onward, you're under my protection," he says, his voice low and firm.
I blink, not sure I heard him correctly. "What the hell are you talking about?"
His green eyes darken. "Exactly what I said."
Protection? From what? And why the hell would I need it from him of all people?
Heat rises to my face. Who does he think he is? First, he ruins my sale, and now this?
"Like hell I am." I spit the words at him.
Just then, Steven approaches us cautiously. Gio's men move in closer. "Is everything alright?" he asks, his eyes darting nervously between us.
Gio's head snaps toward Steven, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "Fuck off," he growls, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Steven pales and retreats, leaving me alone with this monster. Before I can reassure him or tell Gio to back off, I feel a strong hand grip my upper arm. Not painfully, but with enough force to make his ownership of the moment clear. He steers me toward a corner, away from the prying eyes and ears of Steven and his men.
"Let go of me," I demand, trying to break free. His grip only tightens.
"Stop fighting me, Raven."
He doesn't release me until we're in the corner, partially hidden by a large sculpture. I rub my arm where he held me, more out of annoyance than pain.
"Why are you doing this to me?" I demand as I feel tears of frustration burning behind my eyes. The memory of Johnny floods my mind, and suddenly, I can't hold back anymore. "You killed my brother. Haven't you caused enough turmoil in my life?"
My heart pounds as Gio reaches into his jacket. For a split second, I think he's going for a weapon, but instead, he pulls out a folded piece of paper. He unfolds it and holds it out to me.
"Because of this," he says, his voice low and firm.
My hands shake as I take it. The moment I see the messy scrawl, my heart stops. I'd know that handwriting anywhere. The way they'scurl, how thet'sare barely crossed. Johnny's handwriting. The words blur as tears threaten to fall, but I blink them back, forcing myself to focus.
"This was on your brother's body." Gio's voice seems distant, like I'm underwater. "Why?"
I shake my head, confusion and grief warring inside me. "I don't… I don't know…"
Gio snatches the paper back. "Yeah, well, this mixed with your father suddenly disappearing doesn't sit right. And who knows what you're not telling me."
"I don't know anything!" I snap, fear and frustration making my voice crack. "Jesus, how many times do I have to say it?"
"Whatever." Gio holds up his hand when I try to move, effectively caging me against the wall. "And for the record," his voice drops lower, "I didn't go looking to kill your brother. He came there that night trying to kill mine. Shot him three times before I could take him down."
The world tilts sideways. My fingers find the small raven tattoo on my wrist, rubbing it frantically.
Even though I know what happened, I just can't take it. Johnny actually tried to kill someone? My wild, reckless brother who couldn't even kill the spiders in my room when we were kids?
But then I remember the changes in him in those last few years before I left. The nervous energy. The distance. The way he wouldn't meet my eyes or talk to me much.
"My family is everything to me. Do you understand?" Gio asks.
The intensity in his eyes is almost manic, and I can't look away. His arm is still braced against the wall beside my head, caging me in with his body. His scent fills my lungs with each breath, making it harder to think clearly.
"Then why are you watching the sister of the man who tried to kill your brother?" I manage to keep my voice steady, even as my fingers continue to rub my tattoo.
His eyes narrow, and for a moment, I think I've pushed too far. But then he leans in closer, his breath hot on my face. "Because if there's even an ounce of me that thinks you're lying, hiding things from me," he pauses, his eyes boring into mine, "then I'm going fucking punish you."
My heart pounds against my ribs like it's trying to break free. The wall is cold against my back, and I'm overly aware of how trapped I am between it and him. But I refuse to cower. I've spent too many years rebuilding myself to break now.
