Page 101 of King

“I am. Just you and me. We need some time alone together - away from all of this. I just want the chance to show you how much I love you.”

She presses her lips against my chest, right over my heart. “You show me how much you love me all the time, Giovanni.”

With a smile I trace my fingers down her spine. “I want to show you again. Over and over again. I never want you to forget or doubt it.”

She nods, her eyes glittering with happiness.

Zina climbs onto me, laying her body over mine, she takes my face in her hands and kisses me.

* * *

Zina is getting ready upstairs in her old bedroom. She likes to get ready there when she is surprising me with how she looks. I can’t wait to see her in that dress.

Glancing at my watch I see it’s almost time to get going. I set my empty whisky glass on the side table next to the sofa and stand up. I’ll grab my phone from the bedroom and then see if I can hurry her up.

Smiling, I climb the stairs up to my room.

Tonight is going to be incredibly special. And I can’t wait to spoil her with the champagne, the jewelry, the dinner, the views and the hotel I’ve booked for us to enjoy after.

She deserves so much, and I intend to give her everything. Everything I can offer her. My heart, my soul, my love.

Tonight I’m going to tell her exactly what she means to me. I want to apologize properly for all the pain I’ve put her through and make sure she understands that it will never happen again.

Walking into our bedroom I’m lost in thought about her, and what she means to me, when I spot a black gift box on our bed.

With a grin I walk towards it, tracing my fingers over the dark silk bow.

There is an envelope tucked beneath the ribbon.

Tugging if free, I tear it open and slide the card out.

My heart warms when I read the words, written in beautiful cursive, elegant handwriting.

A lot of care was put into making it beautiful.

For my love, the King go Kings, you have my whole heart.

My smile stretches across my cheeks.

I drop the card onto the duvet next to the box and pull at the edge of the black ribbon, it slides smoothly, untying and falling away from the lid.

Excitement ripples through me.

No one has ever done something like this for me before.

I’ve never received a beautifully wrapped, secret gift before, and I love that she did this for me.

With both hands I lift the lid, peering inside into the dark folds of black, glossy tissue paper.

I drop the lid onto the bed, next to the card dip my hand into the box to move the paper aside.

The snake strikes faster than the blink of an eye.

His fangs are buried in my flesh within seconds.

I heard myself scream, but even know I wonder if it really happened.

I stare in disbelief, not comprehending what has just happened.

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