Page 7 of (UN)Bounded

Gabo Godoy

The day has finally arrived. I’ll pick up Bella at the airport in an hour. I never thought she would accept my offer. She has become a gorgeous woman— bellissima. It’d be tough to keep all the bros at bay.

When did I decide that it was okay for me to become a babysitter? Fucking Luca… had to guilt trip me: “Bro, remember. She’s my little sister. I’ve taken care of yours with my life. I hope you do the same.”

My immediate thought was to tell him that it’s different because he’s actually married to my sister. But I couldn’t say no, and he’s an excellent husband to Kari. The least I could do was offer accommodations to Bella.

Maybe I’m overthinking this? I mean, I only agreed to give her a place to stay and make sure she’s comfortable—not to be her bodyguard.

I park my Bugatti Chiron at my private hangar. Luca wanted to bring Bella himself, but I dismissed him and sent my Gulfstream G700 to get her instead. The moment I see her coming down the stairs, it’s like my body floats toward her. In two seconds, I’m right at the bottom of the steps to help her down.

What am I now, a teenager who has never seen a pretty girl? But no, she’s not a girl anymore. She turned out to be a gorgeous woman. For some reason, I don’t want anyone to help her down but me.

Damn brain, enough with the whiplash.

“Oh, hi, Gabo. Thank you so much for picking me up. I thought you were going to send someone to get me,” she says with a bright smile on her rosy, glossy lips.

I need to take a deep breath before replying and making an idiot of myself. I’m a thirty-year-old man, for fuck’s sake. I shouldn't be here swooning like a schoolgirl.

“Bienvenida a Italia,” I say as I give her a peck on her cheek. “Your brother would have my balls if I’d have sent someone to pick you up. Besides, it’s good to see you. I didn’t think you were going to take me up on my offer.”

Her smile falters for a microsecond, and if I wasn’t so focused on her, I’d have missed it.

“Oh, of course. I guess you’ll be my guardian while I’m here in Italy, even though I’m a full-grown adult. If it is too much inconvenience, I can always look for a place to stay,” she says matter-of-factly, and I instantly like her resolve. “It’s not a big deal. I’m sure you have plenty of matters to attend to,” she adds as she starts walking toward a utility car where they have placed her luggage.

I simply shake my head. I like her spunk, maybe a little too much.

“Principessa, wait,” I shout as I jog to catch up with her. She looks at me as if to say, “What did you just call me?” I chuckle. I’ve always liked strong-willed women, but I have a feeling Bella would give anyone a run for their money.

“Paolo will bring your luggage to either my apartment in the city, or my villa in the countryside. I figured I’d take you out to dinner tonight so you can get a feel for the city. My car is this way.”

I point with my thumb in the direction where I parked my Bugatti. The moment her eyes find my car, her jaw hits the floor. I grab her gently by her elbow, and she falls in step beside me without saying a word.

When we get to my car, I open the door for her and ask, “Is everything okay?”

She shakes her head as she smiles and fixes her hair behind her ears. “Absolutely. I guess I’m just a little starstruck. That was my first time flying private. By the way, it was amazing. Thank you so much. And I don’t think I’ve ever seen a car like this in real life.”

I bark out a laugh as I help her inside and then jog to my side of the car. When I turn it on and the engine roars to life, I see a flicker of excitement in Bella’s beautiful azure eyes.

“You’re in for a treat, principessa.” I floor the gas, and we dart out of the private hangar in a flash.

Usually, the women I take out in this car hang onto my arm like it’s a lifeline, but Bella keeps her poise, almost impassive. Interesting.

I take a curve a little harder than I should to see if she’ll finally show any emotion, but she surprises me. Instead of shrieking in terror, she throws her head back and laughs. I take it as a dare and fly through the streets, getting us to Verona—my favorite restaurant—in no time.

Once I park in front of the valet, she flashes me a wicked grin.

“That was fun,” she says as she goes to open her door. I extend my arm to keep her door closed. She looks at me, confused.

As I get out of the car, I simply say, “I’m glad you enjoyed it. Please, Bella. I need to open the door for you.”

She shrugs easily and stays seated, waiting for me. When I reach her door, the valet kid opens it and extends his hand to Bella, but to my surprise, she stays seated.

Good girl.

When the kid notices me, he jumps out of his skin. If he’s smart enough, he’ll get lost as soon as I give him the key fob.

“Mr. Godoy, I didn’t realize it was you,” the kid says with a shaky voice. If I were alone, I’d laugh, but I don’t want Bella to think I’m a prick.

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