Page 22 of King

It was desire.

That’s how he used to look at me just before he told me to do something sexy. His eyes would darken, and he’d demand that I turn around and bend over the chair, or kneel on the bed -

My heart races and I press my hand over my chest to try to calm it. Is he still attracted to me? I won’t deny that I’m still unquestionably attracted to him.

It isn’t why I came to this house though.

But if he is attracted to me, it would explain why he’s been avoiding me. And I might be able to use that to my advantage.

A smile creeps onto my lips as I carry on climbing the stairs towards my bedroom. I feel better already.

SEVEN

giovanni

The dining room is loud. Romeo and Dante are fooling around, laughing and joking with each other.

But when Zina and Guido walk in they fall silent and turn to glare at her.

My jaw clenches as I watch them, then her.

I never intended for it to be hostile here for either of them, but how am I supposed to reprimand my sons for being angry about the mistakes I made.

She was never a mistake.

I shake my head, dispersing the thought. She was a mistake. It could easily have torn my family apart if Bella found out at the time.

Zina stands quietly for a moment, scoping the scene while Romeo and Dante stare daggers at her.

She walks confidently to the seat next to me, the first seat to my right where I’m positioned at the head of the table.

Romeo is on my left.

Zina sits down and Romeo instantly stands up and slams his fits against the table.

“That seat belongs to Santino. He is the oldest son, the rightful heir, and he sits at our father’s side.” He blurts out angrily.

Zina ignores him, gets comfortable and says nothing at all.

Dante stands up and moves behind her, ready to pull her seat away from the table.

“If you touch my chair, I assure you, you will very quickly learn that I don’t tolerate disrespect. I’ve been patient, Romeo, but don’t push me.” Her voice is so dark and threatening that it freezes Romeo, filling him with uncertainly.

Dante hesitates and look at me with questioning eyes.

“Sit down Dante. Romeo, move over so that Santino can sit there.” I demand.

Romeo and Dante look horrified. They look betrayed.

But Romeo stands up and shift across to clear a seat for Santino. Dante walks, sulking, around the table to sit next to his brother and Guido takes a seat next to his mother.

My shoulders are tense.

Turning to Zina I mutter under my breath. “You are making things more difficult for me.”

She scoffs and whispers back. “You’ve been avoidant since we got here. Its time you made things easier for me.”

“Zina, you can’t just take my son’s rightful seat?—”

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