Page 45 of Ruthless Royalty

The estate is eerily quiet, and the shadows seem longer, more menacing. I’m making my way back to my room, hoping to catch some peace after the day’s events.

“Chiara.”

Fucking great. Just what I need after today.

Giovanni’s voice is low, almost a growl, and it sends a shiver down my spine. Not because I’m scared—no, it’s something else, something that makes my heart beat a little faster.

Ever since he went down on me in the library and cornered me by that pool house, I’ve been wound up like a coiled spring. Not even bringing myself to orgasm after I got home helped me get rid of my frustration.

Damn him and his talented tongue.

I turn to find him leaning against the wall, his usual cocky smirk firmly in place. “What do you want, Giovanni?”

He pushes off the wall, walking towards me with that swagger of his, the one that says he owns every inch of the ground he walks on.

“I’ve got something special planned for tonight,” he says, eyesgleaming with excitement and something darker. “You need to be ready.”

I raise an eyebrow, crossing my arms. “Should I be worried?”

His grin widens, and there’s a spark of mischief in his eyes. “Only if you’re afraid of a little fun.” He steps closer, and I can feel the heat radiating off him. “It’s The Chase tonight, Kitten. And I can’t fucking wait.”

I should feel nervous, anxious even. But I don’t.

Instead, there’s a part of me that’s almost … intrigued. The way he’s looking at me, like I’m the prize at the end of a very dangerous game, sends a thrill through me that I can’t quite ignore.

“Fun, huh?” I say, trying to sound casual, even though I can feel my pulse quickening. “And what makes you think I’m going to play along?”

Giovanni chuckles, leaning in so close that I can feel his breath on my skin. “Oh, you will. You won’t be able to resist.”

My heart skips a beat at the memory of how he looked on his knees for me, and a shiver runs up my spine. He doesn’t even need to touch me and I’m already fucking throbbing for him.

Is this what I missed with Leo? Ugh, just thinking about Leo has me even more confused. What the fuck am I going to do?

“I’m not scared of you,” I say, more to convince myself than him.

“I know, Kitten,” he says, his voice low and dangerous. “That’s what makes this so much fucking fun.”

I push past him, needing some distance. His presence is suffocating, like he’s always two steps ahead, waiting for me to slip up. I know tonight isn’t going to be easy, but I refuse to let him see me flinch.

“I’ll be ready,” I say, not looking back as I head down the hall.

“Don’t keep me waiting, Kitten,” he calls after me, his voice laced with dark amusement.

I don’t respond, just keep walking, my mind racing as I try to figure out how I’m going to handle this.

It’s not long before the call comes for all the initiates to gather. The Crowns are waiting, and the tension in the air is thick enough to cut with a knife.

We assemble in the courtyard, the night air cool against my skin. The other initiates are here, too, all of us standing in a tight circle while The Five Crowns loom over us wearing those fucking masks I’ve come to loathe.

I blanch when I don’t see Cat. She’s been quiet all day as well. Did she fail the Day of Silence?

Giovanni, wearing his Spade mask, steps forward while the other three hang back.

“Tonight is The Chase,” he announces, his eyes sweeping over us. “You’ve all been tested, pushed to your limits, but this is different. This is about survival, instincts, and knowing who your enemies are.” He pauses, letting the weight of his words sink in.

“You’ll be given a head start. After that, it’s up to you to make it through the night. And remember,” he says, his voice dripping with anticipation, “there’s no mercy in The Chase. You either outrun your hunter, or you don’t.”

His eyes land on me; I can feel his gaze burning into mine, and it only makes my resolve harden. I won’t let him win. Not tonight.

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