Page 77 of Taboo Flames

Leo pauses before saying, “But him though? Of all the men in this city.”

“Unless you’re admitting to having terrible taste in friends, I don’t see what the problem is.” I cross my arms defensively.

“She’s got you there,” Gio says, his voice filled with amusement.

Leo whips around to face him, looking colder than I’ve ever seen him. “We both know, Giovanni, that if you had any plans whatsoever of having a real relationship with my sister, you’d have spoken to me about it already. You’re going to wreck her, and when you do, I won’t be able to forgive you.”

I stare at the two of them, watching the tension brewing between them. Leo is wrong. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Gio has feelings for me. We may have started out as just two people in a purely physical relationship, but we’re now so much more.

“He didn’t tell you for this exact reason,” I snap at Leo. “Because you’ve just made me look like an irresponsible child and made him look like a feelingless monster.”

I hate the doubts that creep into my mind, and it’s all because of Leo. I’m sure Gio would have told Leo, given more time. The sneaking around has been fun, but I’m ready for more.

I want everything with Gio: the dates, family dinners, and to be able to call him my boyfriend.

“He’s not?” Leo asks in surprise.

“No, he’s not,” I insist. “We’re together now.” Then, I turn to Gio and say, “Right?”

There’s a look in his eyes that I can’t place, but it leaves me feeling cold and uncomfortable.

“Right?" I ask again in a smaller voice.

I know Gio cares about me. He’s shown it in many ways, even if he doesn’t always mean to. He’s never let any other woman in his bed, but he lets me. He’s possessive and protective, always making sure I’m happy and listening to my ramblings. He even bought me a new studio because he thought the old one wasn’t safe enough.

But most of all, it’s the way he touches me—with reverence. Like I’m the only one he wants.

Pity fills Gio’s gaze, and it feels like I’ve just been brutally ripped in two.

“No, don’t give me that look, Gio. I know you know we share something real.”

“Actually, this was only supposed to be sex, princess,” he says slowly. “I should have walked away the second I realized you had caught feelings for me.”

“Y—you knew this whole time?” I gasp.

He nods. “You should really work on your poker face. You’ve been staring at me all weekend like I hung the moon.”

“You bastard,” Leo grits out in fury.

“You’re lying!” I exclaim, my voice rising. “You’re just saying these things because you’re a coward. You like me. Admit it.”

He sighs, raking a hand through his hair. “Your biggest attraction was the fact that you were forbidden. I’ve never liked to abide by rules, and corrupting you was the biggest middle finger to toeing the line.”

“You’re a monster,” I gasp.

“No, princess?—”

“Don’t call me that!” I yell.

“You knew who I was before you jumped into this,” he says through a clenched jaw. “You’re the one who fucked up by thinking you could fix me. But what did I expect? That’s what I get for messing around with someone far too young who thinks the whole world is a fairytale in the making.”

I take a feeble step backward, feeling all my hope and happiness come crashing down like dominos or a deck of cards.

“Fuck you, Gio,” I seethe.

“Rory, wait—” Leo calls out as I turn and run right out of the door and far away from the man who I was stupid enough to give so much power to hurt me.

The worst part is that Gio is right. He hadn’t made me any promises.

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