Page 76 of Ruthless Royalty

I snort, shaking my head. “Of course that’s where your mind goes.”

“What? You can’t tell me you haven’t thought about it,” he says, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “The Basile-Mikhailov wedding? It’s going to be the event of the century.”

“Yeah, because that’s exactly what I need—more attention,” I reply dryly, but I can’t help the small smile that creeps onto my face.

Nikolai chuckles, the tension easing slightly. “Whatever happens, you’ve got my support. You’re family regardless, G. Now go figure your shit out, and if you need anything, you know where to find me.”

“I will,” I say again, feeling a bit lighter as I head for the door. But before I leave, I turn back to him. “And Nikolai?”

He looks up. “Yeah?”

“I’m sorry about everything that’s happened,” I say, the words coming out more sincere than I expected. “I know things have been rough between us, but … I appreciate your support.”

Nikolai blanches, but he hides his surprise and he nods. “We’ve all got our shit, G. But at the end of the day, we’re all family. Don’t forget that.”

“I won’t,” I say, meaning it.

Later as I walk back to my own Suite, I find myself thinking about the future, about what it would mean to make that commitment, to tie our lives together in a way that can’t be undone. It’s a big step, one I’m not sure I’m entirely ready for, but if it’s what’s best for Chiara—if it’s what will keep her safe—then I’ll do it.

But first, I need to hear it from her. I need to know that she’s with me, all the way.

CHIARA

The night before we’re supposed to leave for Winter break, I’m sitting in my room, staring at the half-packed suitcase on my bed. My mind is a mess, tangled with thoughts of what’s happened over the past few weeks, and more than anything, I just want a break from it all.

A part of me is looking forward to going home, to having some time away from Willow Bridge and all the drama that comes with it.

But of course, nothing in my life can ever be that simple.

A knock on my door startles me out of my thoughts and I know who it is before I even open it. Giovanni’s the only one who knocks like that—firm, confident, as if he owns whatever space he’s about to enter.

When I open the door, his expression is serious in a way that immediately puts me on edge. This isn’t the playful, cocky Gio I’m used to. Something’s wrong.

He looks tense, his jaw set, and there’s a storm brewing in his dark eyes that immediately puts me on edge.

“Hey,” I say, trying to keep my voice light, but there’s an edge of anxiety I can’t quite shake.

“Can we talk?” he asks, stepping into the room without waiting for an answer.

That’s another thing about Giovanni—he doesn’t ask for permission; he just takes what he wants. Most of the time, I find it endearing, but tonight it rubs me the wrong way.

“Sure,” I say, closing the door behind him. “What’s going on?”

He doesn’t sit down, just paces the length of my room like a caged animal. “There’s something we need to discuss before we leave for break.”

My stomach tightens. The way he’s talking, the look on his face, it’s like he’s about to drop a bomb on me. And judging by the tension radiating off him, I’m not going to like what he has to say.

“Okay … what is it?” I ask cautiously, crossing my arms over my chest as if to shield myself from whatever’s coming.

He stops pacing and turns to face me, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that makes me want to look away, but I don’t.

“Dmitri came to see me about a week ago,” he says. “He thinks … he thinks we should get married.”

I can’t even process the fact that my stepfather came all the way here to see him before the follow up sentence made my heart drop. For a moment, I can’t even breathe; I just stare at him, waiting for him to tell me this is some kind of joke. But the seriousness in his eyes tells me he’s dead serious.

“Married?” I finally manage to choke out, my voice barely above a whisper. “Are you out of your mind?”

“Chiara, just hear me out,” Giovanni says, his voice firm but not unkind. “Dmitri thinks it’s the best way to keep you safe. If we’re married, no one can touch you. It’s not just about us, it’s about making sure you’re untouchable even to my father.”

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