Page 48 of Ruthless Royalty

“By treating me like a pawn in your little pissing contest with Giovanni?” I shoot back, my frustration boiling over. “That’s not protection, Nikolai. That’s manipulation.”

His eyes flash with anger, but there’s something else there too—something vulnerable that he quickly tries to hide. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Then tell me!” I shout, my voice echoing in the hallway. “Tell me why you’re acting like this, why you’re so fucking determined to mess with my life. Because I’m tired of trying to figure you out!”

For a moment, there’s silence between us, the tension so thick I can barely breathe. His expression hardens, the grin vanishing completely.

“You’re not a pawn, Chiara. But you don’t get it. Gio’s been making stupid moves, and if I have to use you to knock him down a peg so he can realize that, then so be it.”

I cross my arms over my chest, my eyes narrowing. “Do you even hear yourself right now?”

Nikolai’s jaw tightens. “You’re overreacting.”

“Overreacting?” I can’t believe what I’m hearing. “You’ve been treating me like some possession to be tossed around between you and Gio. First with this whole Chase bullshit, and now you’re acting like you have some claim over me? What’s going on, Nikolai?”

He glares at me, but there’s something beneath the anger, something he’s not saying. “You’re my sister, Chiara. I’m looking out for you.”

I stare at him, my heart racing as I try to understand what he’s saying. I feel like I’m missing something, that there’s more to this than just Nikolai pissing Giovanni off.

His gaze doesn’t waver, and there’s a hint of a smile on his lips. “Just know that whatever happens, I’ve got your back. Even if it means pissing off one of my closest friends.”

I don’t bother responding, just turn and walk away, leaving him standing there in the dark. I need to clear my head, to get away from the mess that is my life right now.

Fuck these Mafia brats.

GIOVANNI

Chiara is fast asleep when I slip into her room, the soft rise and fall of her chest the only sound in the quiet space. I stand over her for a moment, watching the way her dark hair fans out across the pillow, the peaceful look on her face.

It’s a sharp contrast to the fire she usually has burning in those eyes when she’s awake, but that’s about to change.

I’m not giving her a choice this time.

She was supposed to be mine last night. The Chase was mine to win, but fucking Nikolai got to her first, and I can’t let that stand. This was supposed to be done right, the way it’s always been done.

Now, I’m going to make sure it is.

I knew Nikolai would be at Connor’s place tonight, and he’s just made this too easy for me. He deserves it after the shit he pulled last night.

I slide my hands under her, lifting her gently so she doesn’t wake. It’s not hard; she’s incredibly light. Even as I carry her out ofthe Suite, down the stairs, and to the car I’ve got waiting outside, she doesn’t stir.

She’s going to be pissed when she wakes up, but I’m counting on it. I need her angry—need her to fight, to show me that fire she tries to hide behind those cool, guarded eyes.

There’s no going back now.

The drive to Willow Bridge Forest is quick, the early morning roads empty, the sky just beginning to lighten with the first hints of dawn. I pull up to the edge of the forest and park the car, stepping out into the cool, crisp air.

Christ, she sleeps like the fucking dead; still out cold as I carry her deeper into the woods, to the spot where the Chase was supposed to end last night. The spot where I should’ve caught her.

Finally, I stop, lowering her to the ground with care. The leaves rustle under her as I step back, waiting. She’s only dressed in a pair of tiny silk shorts and a tank top, and I can see the goosebumps starting to pucker on her skin.

It doesn’t take long for her to stir again, her eyes slowly fluttering open. At first, she looks confused; her gaze darting around, trying to make sense of where she is.

“What the fuck…” she mumbles, her voice thick with sleep.

“Morning, Kitten,” I say, my voice low and cold.

Her head snaps up, eyes widening as she sees me standing there. “Giovanni? What the hell is this?” She scrambles to her feet, her body tensing as she realizes she’s not in her bed, not anywhere near it.

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