Page 10 of Ludovico's Vengeance

“I’ll be up for a bit if she needs anything.” The words come across as more of a grunt than an actual statement.

A sharp throb in my temples wakes me from a restless sleep. When my eyes flutter open to see it's only four thirty in the morning, I groan loudly and curse under my breath. I throw the sheet off my legs and stand up to stretch my stiff muscles.Fuck, I’m tired.

I drag on a pair of dark sweatpants over my briefs and grab my phone from the nightstand before I make my way to the kitchen. My hand scrubs over my face as I try to drag myself out of sleep when I crash into something soft and warm that lets out an adorable little squeak. I drop both hands and reach out to steady whoever it is that I walked into, just to find a pair of sparkling silver eyes staring up at me. A small gasp escapes her when she realizes my hands are on her.

I cautiously take a step back and release her from my grip. That’s when I realize she’s only wearing a navy-blue sports bra and a pair of bike shorts.FUCK. ME.The matching sweatpants and shirt set gave no indication of just how tight her body is. Every bit of blood rushes straight to my groin. I already thought she was gorgeous, but Jesus Christ, that body and that face. Fuck, how did she get that lucky? How the fuck did I get this lucky?No, damnit, Johnny. OFF. LIMITS.

“Good morning,Bella.” My voice sounds like gravel from sleep.

Nina’s cheeks flush a bright pink as I take her in.

“Morning, Giovanni,” the soft cadence of her voice this morning is doing nothing for the erection, which is somehow now even harder after hearing her speak. “I hope I didn’t wake you. I couldn’t sleep and Danny said that there was a gym, and since I’ve never been in a gym I just wanted to see what you had.” Her voice lowers to a whisper as she finishes speaking.

“Fottuto Stronzo,” I growl at myself, and take a moment to fill my lungs with air as I allow myself to calm. “Bella, even if you were the reason I woke up, I couldn’t be upset about that if it means you’re the first face I see in the morning. But, no, you’re not why I'm awake. Have you been there yet?”

Nina shakes her head gingerly. My lips twitch into a warm smile as I take her hand in mine. As we walk through the quiet halls of the Ludovico Estate, her presence brings a calm over me that I’m not used to. I feel her eyes on me while we walk. When I glance down at her, she tries to dart her gaze away which makes me chuckle.

“What is it, Short Stack?” A grin takes over my face and I don’t try to hide it this time.

Oof, if looks could kill I’d be a dead man. She’s got daggers in her eyes, and they’re aimed directly at me.

“I likedBella.” Nina’s sass slaps me right across the face. And I’m here for it.

“Well, you’re my Short Stack,Bella.” Giovanni’s response steals the air from my lungs. Why do I like that possessive reaction?

My cheeks heat as I allow the words to settle over me. A deep chuckle rumbles through his chest while we continue our walk through the house. It takes a few moments before I can find the right words. Being in his presence just does something to me that I can’t explain. The organ in my chest thuds erratically as he gently squeezes my hand in an attempt to drag the answer from my lips.

“Why did you want me here? Why not just leave me with my dad? Why bother with a woman you’ve never met that obviously has more issues than Cosmopolitan?” My voice is so low as the embarrassment of my admission consumes me.

So many things rush through my mind as I wait for his answer, one that I realize he never actually disclosed last night. I keep my eyes focused on the ground as we continue to walk but he stops me. Giovanni’s fingers grip my chin and drag my gaze up to meet his. The warmth in those milk chocolate irises is like a balm to my soul and eases some of the anxiety.

“Nina, the moment he told me that you were essentially being held like Rapunzel, there was no doubt that I had to get you out of there. No one should be held captive like that. Had I known of your existence sooner, I would have made it my fucking mission to get to you before I did.” His thumb traces my bottom lip as he speaks, “Honestly, I wish I had gotten to you sooner, no matter how many issues you think you may have. I won’t allow you to go through this life on your own any longer.”

My lip's part with a gasp at his admission, his declaration. We don’t speak again after that; Giovanni leads me into the home gym. My eyes go wide at the sheer mass of machines, I could work out every day for a month and never use the same device twice.

I must lose track of time because a light tap startles me from the weighted squat, causing me to drop the free weights which just narrowly miss my toe. Sweat drips down my brow as I take in Giovanni, now dressed in a dark grey suit that fits like a goddamn glove.Holy shit, he’s even more beautiful than I thought.

“Bella, you’ve been in here for two hours.” His tone is full of worry, but I see his lips twitch as he fights his reaction when I realize it’s him. “Don’t burn yourself out.”

God damnit, I need to work on my face. It’s so unfair that he can read me like this. I feel something pressed to my hand. When I look down, I notice he’s handed me a towel. I smile and graciously accept, immediately wiping my face free from the evidence of my workout.

“Sorry, I got into what I was doing. I’m going to hate myself tomorrow.” I groan, leaning down to grab the water bottle I’ve already refilled a handful of times.

“Go shower, Mrs. D will have breakfast ready for you when you get back to the kitchen.” His tone is playful, but I can feel the command in his words. “I’ll be out most of the day, go explore. I’ll see you later,Bella.”

Without another word, he walks out of the gym, leaving me on my own. I inwardly groan as I traipse behind in his wake and head back to my room. When I finally peel my workout gear off and step into the shower, a sense of peace settles over me. How is it that I never realized how little my own father cared about me? The affection shown from the people in this house is so wildly different from anything I've experienced in my sorry existence of a life thus far.

I step into the kitchen to find Jade rushing around working on a meal and Vanna seated at the kitchen island chatting away with a steaming mug in front of her. Vanna notices me first, her eyes crinkle in the corners as she smiles and waves me in to join her.

“Good morning, Sweetheart! I hear you’re an early riser like my Giovanni.” She murmurs.

Jade turns toward Vanna with a scowl on her face as she scolds, “Vanna, he’s told you to call him Johnny how many times?”

Vanna rolls her eyes at Jade as I take a seat next to her. My cheeks flush at their conversation, realizing I’ve only been calling him Giovanni.

“What is it, Sweetheart?” Vanna pulls me in close, wrapping me in a side hug as she greets me.

I shake my head, not ready to unpack what him allowing me to call him that means. She squeezes me tighter against her side as she chuckles knowingly just as Jade directs her attention to me.

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