Page 25 of Kiss of Blood and Sin

I turned to face Augustus and Louise, my expression unyielding. “I’m staying here for a while. Until I figure out what my father’s up to, I’m not letting Gianna out of my sight.”

Louise crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. “And why should we believe you suddenly care so much about her wellbeing?”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “Believe what you want, Louise. I’m not the enemy here. My father, on the other hand…” I shrugged as I let my voice trail off, letting them connect the dots.

Augustus stepped forward, his expression guarded. “How do we know you’re not just using Gianna as a pawn in some game of your own?”

I met Augustus’s gaze, a smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth. “You don’t,” I said bluntly. “I guess you’ll just have to have a little faith.”

Louise and Augustus exchanged a glance, their suspicion still evident, but I could see a flicker of doubt creep into their eyes.

“Look, I’m not really asking for your trust,” I said, my voice low. “But I am asking for your cooperation. Let me stay here, keep an eye on Gianna, and figure out what my father’s up to. Please. If I step out of line, I swear, you can kick me out and I’ll go willingly.”

Louise sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly. “Fine. But one wrong move, Dimitri, and you’re gone.”

I nodded. “Understood. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a damsel in distress to watch over.”

I turned and walked back to the couch, settling in beside Gianna’s sleeping form. I brushed a strand of hair from her face, my fingers lingering on her soft skin for perhaps a moment too long.

“You know, she’s quite the looker,” I said, loud enough for Augustus and Louise to hear.

Louise scoffed, her eyes narrowing. “If you’re trying toconvince us you care about her, you’re doing a pretty piss poor job.”

I placed a hand over my heart, feigning hurt. “Ouch. You wound me, Louise. Can’t a man appreciate a beautiful woman without having his motives questioned at every turn?”

Augustus stepped forward, his expression stern. “Not when that man is you, Dimitri. We know what you’re like, and we don’t want Gianna to get hurt.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Ah, yes. My reputation. Well, let’s just say that Gianna is...different. Special even.”

I looked back at Louise and Augustus. “Believe what you want,” I said, my voice low. “I’m not going anywhere until I know she’s safe. Who knows? Maybe by the time she wakes up, she…and you…will see me in a whole new light.”

I flashed them a predatory grin, relishing the tension that crackled in the air. Augustus shifted uncomfortably while Louise's eyes darted between us, her anxiety radiating off her in waves. Let them wonder about my intentions. Honestly, I wasn’t even entirely sure myself what I felt for Gianna. But one thing was certain: I wasn’t about to let anyone, especially my father, lay a hand on her.

Chapter Sixteen

Gianna

My eyes snapped open, my heart leaping in my chest as I took in the eerie glow of moonlight filtering into an unfamiliar room. I bolted upright, my breath coming in short, ragged gasps as a wave of panic crashed over me. Where was I? What happened?

The room swam before me, a dizzying kaleidoscope of strange shadows and unfamiliar shapes. I blinked rapidly, trying to clear my vision, but doing so only seemed to intensify the throbbing in my head. I raised a trembling hand to my forehead, and my fingers came away slick with sweat.

Fragments of memories flashed through my mind—running, fear, pain. I shuddered, my stomach churning as I recalled the searing agony of the wolves’ bites, the terrifyingsensation of my blood draining away. But after that...nothing. Just a blank void where my memories should be.

I forced myself to take slow, deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart. As the panic began to subside, I started to notice details about my surroundings. The leather couch beneath me...the faded paintings on the walls...the musty scent of old books and incense. Something about it felt...familiar.

Gradually, realization dawned. Salem. I was in Salem, at Augustus’ and Louise’s apartment. Relief washed over me, quickly followed by confusion. How had I gotten here? Why couldn't I remember the journey?

I closed my eyes, concentrating hard, trying to piece together the fragments of my memory. Flashes of conversations, of worried faces, of a car ride...but it was all a jumble, like trying to assemble a puzzle with half the pieces missing.

As I struggled to sit up, a movement caught my eye. A figure sat across from me on the loveseat, shrouded in shadows. I reached for a weapon, but my fingers grasped only empty air. I opened my mouth to scream, but the sound died in my throat, strangled by the icy tendrils of fear that wrapped tightly around my chest.

Then I remembered Angelo had sent a bodyguard.

“Petar?” My voice was rough from sleep.

“Hardly,” came the reply. The voice was familiar and unexpected, bringing with it a rush of new memories.

The light flicked on, and I gasped, my heartbeat racing. There, sitting with that infuriatingly sexy smirk, was none other than Dimitri Dragan.

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