Page 46 of The Bonventi War
"Please don't ever be sorry about that." His voice is softer than I've ever heard it. "Family is all we have in this world. I know what it's like to lose a mother... and..." He trails off, jaw tightening. "Never mind, but I think it's nice that you have that. Don't ever let that go."
His words surprise me. I've never heard Gio speak so gently before.
I dab at my eyes with his handkerchief, the soft fabric catching my tears. "You don't think it's weird?"
"Are you kidding me? Has anyone ever?"
I laugh. "Bud Thomson, my senior year of high school, did."
Gio's eyes darken dangerously. "Then I'll kill that motherfucker if you want. I'll find him and bring him to you, and you can make fun of his name. Get him back." He smiles. "I mean, the guy's got to go through life being called Bud."
We both launch into laughter, and I start to feel better.
"Yeah, fuck Bud Thompson," I say, grinning.
"That's the spirit," he says, then a semi-serious look takes over his face. "Seriously though, want me to find him?"
"What? Jesus, Gio." I pause for a second. "Okay, sure. No!" I shake my head. "I'm kidding. But thanks."
Gio is silent for a long moment, his eyes never leaving my face. When he finally speaks, his voice is gentle. "Well, for what it's worth, your mother," he says softly and reaches for my hand, "she must have been an incredible woman."
I smile. "She was. God, she really was." I turn my hand over, intertwining our fingers without thinking. "She would have hated you, you know."
Gio raises an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"Yeah," I say, still smiling. "She always said I had to stay away from dangerous men. She wanted me to find a nice, boring accountant or something. You know, predictable."
"Well, I sure as hell ain't boring or predictable. And I may be dangerous, but you'll always be protected when you're with me."
As we pull up to a nice-looking building, Gio looks out. "We're here."
I look out and read the sign: The Harp Academy: Music Center for Children.
Gio helps me out of the car, his strong hand steadying me. I can't help but marvel at the contradiction he presents. This tall, imposing figure—all muscle and mafia danger—just moments ago was cracking jokes and offering to hunt down my high school bully. It's all so disarming.
As we make our way inside, my fingers grab the new necklace he gave me, and I find myself biting back a smile. Who would have thought that Gio Bonventi, the man who terrified me just days ago, could make me laugh?
"What's got you smiling?" His voice is low, meant only for me among the crowd.
I turn to look at him - really look at him. Beyond the threatening exterior, past the tattoos and the muscles and the reputation. "Just thinking about how wrong first impressions can be."
22
GIO
As we step into the bustling building, my hand finds its place on the small of Raven's back. The soft fabric of her dress feels like silk beneath my palm. I can't help but admire how the diamonds around her neck catch the light, making her glow even more than she already does.
The room is alive with noise—the steady hum of conversation, laughter, the clinking of champagne flutes, and the gentle melody of a live string quartet. But all I can focus on is Raven.
She looks absolutely fucking magnificent in that Armani dress. The way it hugs her body, showing just enough skin to drive a man wild while still keeping her elegant.
I notice every goddamn head that turns when we walk in—some discreet, others not so much. I even see women sizing her up with envy in their eyes. My jaw clenches. A man's gaze lingers too long on Raven's ass, and I fix him with a look that promises violence. He quickly finds something very interesting in his champagne glass.
Keep your fucking eyes to yourself,I think, tightening my grip slightly on Raven's back.She's mine. These pathetic fucks have no right to even look at her.
"Quite the turnout," Raven says, turning to me. "I didn't really know what to expect, but there's a good amount of people here."
I lean in close, my lips nearly brushing her ear. "And you outshine them all." She gives me a side-eye smile as we walk.
