Page 12 of Ludovico's Vengeance

Nina’s breath hitches in a way that doesn’t express fear, but interest. I suppress a grin, the look on her face tells me she doesn’t understand the emotional response. Not that I’d expect her to, given the circumstances of her upbringing and how she’s come to be here. However, it gives me hope for what’s to come. Or at least what I hope is to come. With my hand pressed gently on the small of her back, I continue leading her back inside to where my mother and Mrs. De Luca are sitting at the kitchen island waiting for us.

Mrs. D’s expression becomes feral when she takes in the gorgeous woman beside me. I glance over, my gaze dragging from the top of her head down to her toes. I don’t notice anything obvious; her cheeks are a little flushed from the day in the sun but – then it hits me.

“Damnit Abel! I told you to make sure she reapplies sunblock! Look at her porcelain skin, it’s as red as a freshly steamed lobster!” Mrs. De Luca yells at the soldier assigned to guard Nina today.

The kid’s face drains of color which makes me chuckle. You don’t want to be on Mrs. D’s bad side. Nina turns to face me with an unspoken question on the tip of her tongue as she raises her fingers to touch her face. She definitely has that sun kissed look about her and damn, does it look good on her.

“I don’t understand,” Nina’s eyes dart between my mom and Mrs. D who looks like she’s ready to strangle Abel.

He steps forward with his shoulders pushed back and standing at his full height as he approaches me, ready to accept whatever punishment I deem appropriate. It takes every bit of self-control to keep my laughter at bay.

“Ms. Barone, I’m so sorry. I should have been more aware of the situation.” He eyes Nina a bit longer than necessary, and I step between them wrapping an arm around her waist, staking my claim.

“Please, Abel. I told you earlier, it’s Nina.” She lets out a frustrated sigh which makes Abel eye me for approval.

“Relax, I’m not going to kill you, kid. Just stay diligent.” My arm wraps a bit tighter around Nina’s waist before I continue. “But if you look at her that way again, not just as your charge during a protection detail, I will fuck you up. Understood?”

My mother’s chuckle pulls my attention from Abel, who takes that moment to disappear from the room. A mischievous glint in her eyes has me cocking a brow in her direction. She ignores me, as only a mother could when she doesn’t want to share her thoughts, and stands to pull Nina to the kitchen island where Mrs. D already has a meal waiting.

It amuses me that the two of them dote on her like their own long-lost child. When Nina is finally comfortable with more than a few people being around her at one time, they’re going to spoil the fuck out of her. I can already feel it.

“Child, if you don’t take a seat as well and eat some dinner, I will make sure you don’t get a cinnamon bun for a week.” Mrs. De Luca scolds me from where she stands, pushing a plate toward an empty chair. The way her eyes are gleaming in the light tells me not to test her.

“You do realize you’re ordering around the Capo, correct?” I ask as I try and fail to stifle my laughter.

“You are still the sweet boy I helped raise so, take a seat. You need to eat too.” Mrs. De Luca waves her hand in the direction of where she wants me. “Don’t argue with your elders, Capo or not.”

"Yes ma’am,” I meander over to the open spot and slide into position on the other side of Nina. “Just don’t order me around in front of the others, it will ruin my street cred or something like that.” I tease.

My mother scoffs and smacks me upside the head, “Giovanni, you already know every man who walks through the front door would drop to their knees if any one of the women in this house asked them to. You may be the Capo, butwehold the power.” She leans in close so that I’m the only one who can hear and continues quietly. “She already has more strength than she realizes. Just wait until Nina finds her voice, she will be unstoppable.”

The Caprese Chicken Saltimbocca that Mrs. De Luca made is delicious, the blend of herbs, spices, and vinegar plus the prosciutto is my version of a comfort meal. Fuck, you can’t go wrong with prosciutto. When my eyes land on Nina after thirty minutes of keeping my gaze trained anywhere but at her, I feel a punch in the gut. Her eyes are filled with tears.

“Bella. What is it?” I ask as I stand and position myself next to her. I grip her chin like I have before and tip her face up so that she can see my eyes. Her lack of trust may be absolutely warranted, but damn, I hate it. “Talk to me, Nina.” I order.

Her shoulders sag at the command and she closes her eyes, so she doesn’t have to look at me.

“You said something when we were on our way in here that’s been bothering me.” Her chest begins to lift and fall rapidly as she tries to piece her thoughts together. “You said you want to kill my dad.”

“And I will,” I confirm, her eyes are still closed as she continues.

“That confession should scare me, but it doesn’t. It excites me. Why does it excite me?” She questions, as a single tear falls down her cheek.

It’s been a week since Giovanni’s men came for me and brought me here. A week since I last saw my father or the woman who raised me. You’d think I’d be devastated that I haven’t seen the only two people who have been in my life since I was born. If I’m honest, the only thoughts I've had of them are just how serious Giovanni was about killing my dad. What does that say about me?

My mornings are much the same as that first day here, I start out in the gym and then am practically force fed by Jade. Who am I kidding, I love it. She’s given me more love and affection in the last week than I’ve had from anyone in my life up to this point. I’ve been trying new foods daily, though I’ve learned my limits and don’t overeat. My afternoons are spent in the garden, much like today.

The sun is hiding behind the clouds which has the sky a shade of grey. I pull on the hoodie that was on my bed this morning when I woke up with a note from Giovanni.

My lips twitch at the corner as I wrap my arms around myself. The shirt smells like him, a warm sweet spice. I recognize the cinnamon from the revolving oven door of cinnamon rolls that Jade makes every day, but there’s something else, a hint of fruit. I melt into the scent a little more and I cop a squat under my favorite tree. The cool breeze feels wonderful on my face as I lean my head back and close my eyes. This is my favorite part of the day.

A vibration on my legs startles me and my eyes flutter open as I glance down to see a long hair, tortoise tabby cat purring away in my lap. My lips part with a gasp as the sweet ball of fluff opens its eyes and stares up at me.

“Well, hello you. Where on earth did you come from?” I ask as I cautiously drag my fingers through its silky fur. It's a cat, obviously it doesn't answer me, but the animal is staring at me as if it knows exactly what I'm saying.

When I raise my gaze, I find Danny and Abel are speaking with their backs toward me. The cat stands on my legs and climbs up my chest to pat my cheek with its paw to drag my attention back down to it. I can't help but smile at the needy animal.

“Aren't you the sweetest thing; do you have a name?” I ask the question out loud as I feel around its neck for a collar. The poor animal has no form of identification, when it flops over onto its back, I get an eye full, confirming its gender is male. Wow this cat has got a set on him.

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