Page 56 of King

Another minute and I narrow my eyes, knotting my brows.

Resignation sinks through me. He isn’t going to answer. He has nothing to say to me. Whatever thoughts are troubling him tonight he has no intension of sharing them with someone he doesn’t trust.

“I hope you get some sleep.” I whisper quietly, closing my eyes. I can still feel the heat of his gaze on me.

“Zina.” My eyes shoot open.

He takes a deep breath. “I’ve made a decision that I hope is the right one.”

“What decision?” I ask with tension burning inside me.

“I’ve decided to give you the chance you deserved when you first walked back into my life. A real chance, to be a part of this family. I have decided to trust you.”

I let out a rushing breath of relief. Laughter spills from lips and I reach up and grab his face, pulling him down to kiss me.

He moves with a stiff reluctance, unsure of his own words, perhaps.

Maybe he needs more time to adjust to his own decision.

I’m over the moon though. It’s all I wanted - a real chance to be with him. A real chance for him to see the person I truly am.

“Thank you.” I whisper in the darkness.

He pushes me so that I roll over, then pulls my back against his chest again.

“Go to sleep.” Is all he replies with a rough edge to his voice.

SEVENTEEN

giovanni

Breakfast the next morning is a miserable affair.

Santino has refused to come down as long as Zina is here, and the table is quiet as Zina and I sit alone. He’s been furious with me for the last few days, angry that I’m questioning everyone but her.

I told Santino that her time would come, but in the back of my mind I don’t think interrogation would work on her if she was hiding something. She’s too smart. Too sharp. I’d have to peel the skin from her body before she gave me the information I was chasing - and it’s not something I’m willing to do.

Last night I told her I wanted to give her a chance. A real chance. I want to trust her.I want to trust her. Desperately.

I really do. I have every intention of trying.

I’m just not certain it’s going to be possible.

Zina’s eyes keep drifting towards me. She looks miserable.

She drops her fork, tired of pushing the scrambled egg around her plate.

“Why is everyone so hell bent on accusing me?” She blurts out and I notice the tears glittering in her eyes as her defensive fall away.

“Zina - “ I mutter in surprise. “They don’t all think it’s you - “

“But they do, Giovanni. Even you do. Last night you told me you’d give me a chance - but what does that mean at the end of the day - it means you’ve doubted me since the moment I walked in. You’ve been holding back and not trusting me. Why? What did I do that was so bad?”

I shake my head, the urge to comfort her floods me. I reach out and pull her into my arms, onto my lap.

“I want your sons to trust me too. Santino despises me, Romeo won’t even look at me. Dante is the only one who speaks to me.” She buries her face against my shoulder as tears soak into my shirt.

“Zina, I’m so sorry.” I sigh, realizing how much she’s been holding back in her attempt to be strong.

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