Page 21 of Ludovico's Vengeance

His bright brown eyes go wide when my response is in the same Italian tongue he used on me. My shoulders become lighter as my body shakes with laughter. When the laughter finally subsides and I smile widely at him, I notice him swallow hard but don’t think to ask about it.

"Jade and your mom have been teaching me during the day.”

Giovanni’s expression changes to something warm as he leans in and presses another quick kiss to my lips before we both stand to our feet. I notice him adjusting himself and can’t help but flush, knowing I caused that reaction.

“Are you doing ok?” His playfulness has vanished with the question.

I let out a long breath before I reply. “I’ve done kickboxing with what few videos Cece allowed or was allowed to provide me. I’m still not sure how that worked.” My shoulders lift and fall in a shrug. “I was able to mimic what I saw there, but it wasn’t one of my favorite workouts because the bag can only teach you so much. I want to learn for real one day,” I smile wistfully.

I can feel his eyes on me as I begin to step away when he rushes up beside me, pulling me flush against his chest again.

“I’ll have one of the guys teach you.” His grin turns into a grimace after a moment and he shakes his head, “Never mind. I’ve seen what you wear in here. I’ll teach you.”

I stop, pressing my hands against his hard pecs ready to shove him away. “What do you mean?”

Giovanni’s eyes nearly roll into the back of his head. “Bella, you hold more beauty and charm in your little finger than most women do in their entire body.” He levels me with just one glance that somehow makes my insides scorch while feeling giddy at the same time. What is this? “I’ve seen the way my men look at you when you’re fully clothed. There’s no fucking way I'm letting my men around you close enough to spar when you’re in a sports bra and yoga pants. Absolutely fucking not, Short Stack.” For the first time, the pet name sounds like a warning, and it only makes me hotter.

I press my lips together in a tight line trying to fight back my amusement, but a snort sneaks out as I eye him. “Abel has been nothing but a gentleman since he’s been my shadow. He didn’t even want to help me put on sunblock because he didn’t feel comfortable touching me.”

A low growl emanates from deep in his throat, his eyes darken as he grips my chin and brings my lips to his, but he doesn’t kiss me. At least not right away. “Fine, but if he touches you, he’s dead.” He declares as he crushes his mouth to mine. I giggle into the exchange as his arms wrap around my waist.

We begin to make our way out of the gym and back upstairs. Giovanni slows his pace to match mine.

“I was asking about what happened tonight at Threads.” His tone is unreadable. He sucks in a breath before expanding, “That's not how I wanted tonight to go. I'm so fucking sorry it happened, but it never will again. She'll be lucky if I allow her to continue living in this town”

I stop abruptly and spin on my heel to face him. “Wait, what?”

The corners of his lips dance with the most delicious and mischievous smirk that the space between my legs begins to throb. What the hell is happening to me? His hand grasps my wrist but not hard enough to hurt, just to pull along with him. I nearly trip over myself when Giovanni comes to a stop when we reach his office. His spine straightens, and he stands at his full height as we step inside. I peek around his huge statuesque frame to see Michael standing next to a pretty blonde woman who appears to be around the same age as Vanna. I'm sure the question is clear on my face when I meet Michael's gaze but he doesn't respond. Instead, Giovanni turns back toward me and casually guides me to the chair behind his desk.

“What is going on Giovanni? Why am I here?” The woman is obviously angry, but I have no clue who she is or why she would be upset with him. I dig my nails into the arm rests when she yells at him, I don't like him being spoken to like this.

“I brought you here as a courtesy to my mother instead of just having you killed, Auntie Tabs. And it's Johnny.” Giovanni's hard mask is in place as he speaks to her, and pulls a gun from his back slamming it on the desk next to him. “After all, it would upset myMadreshould I have your throat slit without at least hearing you out.”

My jaw drops as my eyes dart back and forth between the two of them.

“What happened?” Her throat bobs as she swallows hard, obviously scared.

Giovanni leans in front of the desk. The back of his thighs presses against the oversized ornate furniture partially obscuring my view. His thick, muscular arms cross over his chest as he glares at her. I can see her jerk her head to look at Michael before returning to Giovanni.

He lets her bathe in silence for several moments before he begins to explain what happened; what Janelle had said to me, how I was treated, and my reaction. I flinch when he explains his perspective. I'm more infuriated that I upset him. After all, he's the reason I’m free. I want to make his life easier, not harder.

When he's finally done reiterating the events of the evening, the woman he’s referred to as his aunt jumps to her feet. Her expression shows just how appalled she is. She takes a step toward me, and my body goes stiff. I see Michael grip her right bicep to keep her in place. He and Giovanni have a silent exchange before he releases her, but Michael's hand is steady on the gun in his holster, ready for anything.

The woman drops to her knees in front of me and clasps my hands in hers as tears stream down her perfectly made-up face. Dark streaks form under her eyes from her mascara as she speaks.

“I am so sorry, Nina. I would have never hired her had I known she was like this.” She gasps for air as she continues, her shoulders begin to shake as she continues to sob at my feet. “That is not the company I keep and my goal has and always will be to remain as inclusive as possible. I don't stand for bullying. I swear to you, I will handle this immediately.”

My heart beats frantically in my chest as I listen to her words.

“If you’d be open to it, I would be happy to personally bring all of my inventory here so you can have a better experience in the comfort of your own home.” I can see the plea in her offer.

We've been in Giovanni's office for upwards of an hour and I just want to get out of here. My gaze bores into Tabs' dark blue eyes and nod.

“I would like that, thank you.” I pause, keeping my stare trained on her, “But if I'm treated that way again, I will not be breaking down. I will make anything that he would do look like child’s play.” I nod my head in Giovanni’s direction, who has an amused grin spread wide across his face.

The clicks and clacks of high heels against the hardwood floor sound from the hallway as the owner comes closer. Tabs’ eyes are so wide you could probably pluck them out of her skull so easily.Wait, where the fuck did that come from?

“Hey! What are you doing here, Tabatha?” Vanna calls, her voice full of so much excitement, if I hadn't just witnessed what happened in here it would be infectious. Vanna turns to Giovanni, whose face is a mask of calm.

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