Page 8 of Ludovico's Vengeance

“I know you have a fuck ton on your plate with her dad and all that shit right now, but dude. We should talk about what happened the other night.” Milo says with every bit of good intention.

I lift my head to face him before I continue.

“What is there to say? My dad was a good man who just so happened to marry into the mafia, and it was the worst decision he ever made for himself. I was still a kid when it happened. From what I remember, he and gramps had been fighting constantly because he wanted to move mom and me away from here. He wanted to get us out of this life. The next thing I know I'm slicing his throat after I was told the man had tried to take me away from my family.” I take a deep breath and push forward, stopping mere inches away from him before I continue. “You will not tell her any of this. Understood?” He knows who I’m talking about. There is no need to add anything to my mother’s stress in bringing me back into this life.

I don't bother to wait around for his response, instead I leave the study and walk the few doors down to where Nina will be staying when I hear my mother mention my given name.

“Giovanni will want to see you soon, but he is finishing up with some information that came in today.”

I roll my eyes before I step into the doorway. I find my mother facing me and the woman I assume to be Nina with her back toward me. Her long dark strawberry blonde locks are hanging loose against her back. She looks tiny in stature, barely reaching five feet tall, so she appears to be drowning in an oversized matching sweatshirt and pants set.

“Who is Giovanni?” Her innocent question is filled with curiosity, and I don't actually hate the way it sounds coming from her.

“It's Johnny, actually.” I announce as I walk in. Nina startles and lets out an adorable squeak as she whips around to face me. “I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you.”

Now that the woman I've brought into my home is facing me, I can make out the way her grey eyes sparkle under the light. Flecks of a darker color highlight the outside of the iris. Her pouty lips part when she sees me for the first time. I can't help but grin when I notice the flush tinge her cheeks, the prettiest shade of pink. Her beauty is staggering.

“No, it's fine.” The lie slips past her lips so effortlessly. “I'm not used to so many people being around.”

I frown at her admission.

“How about we go into my study so we can talk? I'll explain everything.” I offer an arm for her to take but she glances at my mom who nods her approval. “My mother can come with us, if you'd like.”

Nina shakes her head as she steps gingerly toward me. She cocks a brow at my offered arm before linking hers with mine. She's noticeably stiff until I place my large hand on top of hers. We walk through the hall in silence and when we return to my study; I lead her to the same couch Milo had been sitting on earlier.

“Is it alright with you if I close the door?” The question may seem silly, but considering she's been locked behind closed doors her entire life, I will not lock her in without her consent.

Nina nods her head. The strawberry blonde hair falls around the front of her shoulders and frames her gorgeous face. The image of her hair wrapped in my hand while I fuck her from behind on this very couch pops into my mind. My cock stiffens at the thought, causing my slacks to become a bit more snug than I'd like for this conversation.

What the fuck, Johnny. She's never met a man besides her father until today. You can't go there. THIS. GIRL. IS. OFF. LIMITS.

I scold myself as I shake the thoughts from my mind and close the door before joining her on the couch. I take a seat the furthest away I can and offer her a genuine smile. Her grey eyes are locked on me as she waits for me to speak. I take a deep breath before I fill her in on everything that I can.

A strong, warm, smooth yet gruff voice startles me. I spin on my heels to face the newcomer only to find the most beautiful man I've ever seen. Ok, shut up, I know I haven't seen many in real life, but even on TV or movies. The man that stands before me is the most stunning work of art mankind has to offer. His jawline is so sharp it could cut glass, and is covered in a short scruffy beard. His dark hair is slicked back against his scalp, making him look intimidating. Meanwhile, his milk chocolate-colored eyes, with flecks of gold that must sparkle like a Cullen in the sunlight, steal the breath from my lungs.

Feelings that make no sense rush to my core as I stare at the man. I follow dutifully as he guides me to a different room. We're sitting side by side on the couch, but he's seated so much further than anyone else has been since I was brought here this afternoon.

“Before I dive in fully, do you know anything about who I am? Or who your father is?” He keeps his eyes trained on mine, looking for something.

I blink rapidly at him, unsure what he's referring to.

“What do you mean? You're Giovanni and my dad is - well, my dad.” As I reply, my mind whirls with confusion.

“Ok, Sweetheart.” Giovanni’s face twists in discomfort at the word. Meanwhile, his delicious voice has me in a chokehold, and I don't hate it. “There isn't an easy way to explain this, but I'm also not going to hide anything from you. I'm just going to dive in. I'm the new head of the Port Windsor Italian Mafia. My grandfather was my predecessor and he recently passed, which is how I met your father and found out about you.”

I gasp at the revelation, “Like Scarface?” He cocks a brow at me with so much curiosity I can nearly see the questions forming in his mind. “What? When I finished all of my schooling when I was younger, Cece would bring out movies.” I lift my shoulders in a shrug.

He shakes his head as a deep laugh rumbles through his chest.

“More like The Godfather, however – I won't allow drugs in my city.” His words come out like ice.

“Okay,” I drag out the word. “What does that have to do with my dad, Giovanni?”

He eyes me warily before continuing.

“Your father is one of the men who worked for my grandfather.” He pauses for a moment while he stares into the depths of my soul. There's a clear hesitation when he opens his mouth to speak, but nothing comes out until after a few attempts. “I'm not sure how he came to be involved with the family, but that is something we're working on figuring out.” Giovanni lets out a heavy sigh. “He told me this morning that he and my grandfather had an agreement in place to distribute drugs in Port Windsor.”

“But I thought..?” I let the words die on my lips when I realized I interrupted him.

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