Page 43 of Arranged Bratva Virgin

“No, I noticed when I went to the bathroom just now. He has them everywhere,” she laughs.

“But why would he want to watch me?”

“Well, he didn’t do it to watch himself inside the house,” she laughs again. “Look, Stefano has been through a lot over the past few years—actually, his whole life. I don’t know if you know the full story of what happened with our father?”

“Not really. I mean, I know what your father did—"

“Our father manipulated us both, but Stefano got the worst of it. I mean, Stef found out that the man that was supposed to love and care for him killed his mother and his real father. Murdered them for a stupid revenge plan. The same man that had been 'looking out' for him and pretending to love him as a son but was actually just using him as a pawn in some elaborate scheme. Stef’s trust in people was already rocky to say the least, but after that he closed off even more. I think I am the only person he really opens up to—and even that is rare.”

She talks to me more about what Stef experienced and how he grew up and my heart breaks a little because of her stories about him.

I take a deep breath, nodding, finally understanding a little more about him.

“He is really closed off. I feel like I have seen little glimmers of who he is in odd moments, but then he shuts down so quickly and he never wants to talk about anything,” I shrug.

“Stef is someone who cares really deeply, he just doesn’t know how to show it. And he might be completely obsessed with you, but holds back because he is afraid that if he trusts again, he opens a space that will hurt him. Give him some time, be patient. He has a really good heart. Ever since our father died, he has been so gentle and supportive of me. I mean, he dove in front of a bullet to save my life—he really does have an amazing heart beneath all the tough guy exterior he puts on.”

I sit quietly for a while, thinking about her words. I had no idea Stefano went through all of that with his stepfather or how he lost his parents. I guess I never asked, so why would he have told me? It’s all really intense and painful, so probably not something he even wants to talk about.

Suddenly I can’t help giggling. “So, you really think he had these cameras set up inside just to keep an eye on me?”

Chiara laughs as well. “I have no doubt.”

“Thanks for telling me all of that, Chiara. I really appreciate it. It actually helps a lot to see him in a different light. I will try and be more patient, and work towards letting him know that he can trust me. I want him to trust me.”

We chat all afternoon, and I begin to relax. It feels so good just to have someone to be completely honest with, and Chiara is so patient and understanding, she helps me through a lot of my thoughts.

When Chiara leaves, I feel as though our conversation has lifted a heavy weight off my shoulders. She gave me a whole different viewpoint and understanding of why Stef is the way he is.

I walk through to my bedroom with a grin on my face as I glance up at the cameras neatly tucked into the corners of the house. I never actually noticed them before. I didn’t really think about it or pay attention. They are so tiny and inconspicuous. I wonder if he has one in every single room. Was he ever going to tell me about them?

Walking into my own room, I look around carefully until I find the camera on the ceiling just beneath my light. I can’t believe he has a camera in my bedroom.

What if he had caught me doing something? I flush with embarrassment.

Well. I giggle to myself. If he wants to play games like that, I can play games, too.

By the time I climb into bed that night I am tired, but feeling a bit more hopeful about what is happening between Stef and me. I will do my best to help him trust me and to make this work. For my family and for the alliance, but also just because I can’t help but admit that I want him to like me.

I close my eyes, thinking about the camera above my bed, and how I can use it.

Tomorrow is a special day for me, and regardless of everything going on, I would like to enjoy it. If that means playing a little trick on him for fun and to try and break through his walls, then so be it.

***

In the morning I wake up with an idea. A cheeky one, but one that makes me smile.

It’s my day after all, and I want to have fun.

Stef has already left for work, and if Chiara is right about everything, he will be waiting for me to wake up and perhaps keeping an eye on me through that camera.

I throw the blankets off my body and stretch out in bed, letting my hands run over my body. My heart beats faster with the thrill of thinking he is watching me.

Lying on my back, I slowly pull my top over my head and then casually toss it off the bed, covering my breasts with my hands, then letting them roam low over my hips and dip beneath my silky pajama pants.

I arch my back as I touch myself.

Then I stop, and slowly start pulling my pants off, letting them drift down my legs as I run my hands over my smooth skin.

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