Page 9 of Ludovico's Vengeance

He chuckles and slides a little closer to me on the couch, patting my knee.

“You thought correctly. I won't allow drugs in my city, which is partially why you're here.” His frustration is very clear as he speaks. “Your father admitted to some things that – what do you know about your mother?”

The sudden change of subject is jarring. My heart lurches in my chest at the mention of the woman who birthed me. I feel the tears begin to well in my eyes and wipe them away before they can fall.

“Dad refused to speak of her.” My voice cracks as I confess, “I don't even know her name.”

Giovanni stands abruptly, his hands balled into fists at his side. He's muttering under his breath as he paces back and forth in front of me a few times before returning to his position on the couch.

“Nina. I need you to know that you are safe here, and I will keep you safe for the rest of your life.” He pauses as he waits for the words to sink in. When I nod acknowledging what he's said, he continues. “Your father murdered your mother when you were born because you weren't the bouncing baby boy he had hoped for.”

My lungs fill as I breathe in a gasp.

“I don't understand. Why?” Tears begin to flow, falling freely down my cheeks.

The beautiful man in front of me shakes his head and drags his hand through his hair as he tries to figure out what he's going to say next.

“He didn't want anyone to know that you were still alive because you were a girl. This world can be extremely misogynistic and he kept you locked away this entire time because of that.” A disgusted laugh erupts from his throat. “He admitted to Milo the only reason he had Cece care for you as thoroughly as she did was because he didn't want his reputation to be sullied with an –” Giovanni holds his hands up gesturing with air quotes, “idiot, even if she was a bitch.”

My eyes are wide with shock and my veins run hot with boiling rage at his accusation. But I know deep in my soul, he's being truthful. Nothing about the way he's speaking to me or treating me feels like a lie. There is a respect here I've never felt with my father. With a shake of my head I glance back up at the man sitting next to me.

“Why did you want me here, Giovanni?” I ask the question that he hasn't yet answered.

“You know. I've threatened to shoot people for calling me Giovanni since I've been back.” He drags a hand through his beard and shakes his head. I see a smirk in his eyes he's trying to hide behind his fingers. “Why don't I hate it when you call me that?”

Flutters explode in my belly with the way his eyes darken as he stares at me. I feel my cheeks flame and I quickly direct my focus to the floor. Oh look, there's a pretty hardwood floor in this room too. His fingers hook under my chin as he lifts my gaze back to his.

“What just happened? Where did you just go?”

I shake my head, unwilling to admit to myself, let alone him, that every fiber of my being feels like he belongs to me. I don’t even understand the feelings I’m having. “No, nothing. I'm fine.” I try to release myself from his hold but he won't let go.

“That's not how this is going to work,Bella. I won't lie to you, you're not going to hide from or lie to me. Understood?” His lips twitch as he tries to fight off a smirk but I can see the mischief in the way those milk chocolate eyes sparkle.

“I'm not lying!” I try to argue but the way he is staring has me rethinking and I let out a long breath. “I'm just overwhelmed by the way you're looking at me like you want to devour me or something, and I've never been around people, well, this many new people. This is all just so intense, am I going to be a prisoner here too? I mean, after all, it turns out that’s all I was in my own home.”

Avortexofemotionsemanatesfrom the beautiful woman seated in front of me. Every part of me wants to pull Nina in and hold her close, but I know that’s not what she needs. I lift her hand and clasp it between mine as I keep my eyes trained on her. She glances up at me through her thick lashes, tears stain her face from the onslaught of information I’ve thrown at her.

“Nina, you will never be a prisoner again.” I squeeze her hands to offer some reassurance, and she lets out a breath. “You are free to go anywhere you wish. I just ask that you allow one of my men or myself to accompany you for your protection. At least until we know more about what my grandfather and your father got us sucked into.” Her shoulders stiffen as I continue. “I wanted you here so that I can protect you from the evils of our world, and that is exactly what I intend to do.” As soon as my explanation is complete she lets out a heavy sigh and her shoulders sag as understanding dawns on her of how serious I am about protecting her while allowing her freedom.

We sit in silence for a bit. When her tears continue, I stretch across the couch — my body hovers over hers while still holding her hand in one of mine. I grab the box of tissues that has Mrs. D written all over it since no one else would think to put them in here. After I pull a Kleenex free, the initial instinct to take care of her is so strong, yet I resist the pull and hand it over. She dries her eyes almost mechanically. I’ve never hated a man as much as I hate her father. Not even Andy, and my hate for him is the entire reason I’m in this situation.

“I don’t want to push you tonight, but I need to know as much as you can tell me about your experience.” Nina lifts her head to stare at me and I reach out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. She stills but doesn’t pull away from my touch.

“What experience?” Her voice cracks as she speaks for the first time in a while.

My heart breaks for her. I'm terrified of what she's going to tell me. I'm worried that whatever it is will have me foregoing my current plan of gaining intel before I kill her father and just going to his house tonight to gut him like a fucking fish.

“Any and everything. The good, the bad, the ugly. Milo mentioned you had never been outside? I need to know everything.” I pause when I see the tears begin to well again. “But for now, why don’t we get you back to your room so you can get to bed. I’m sure you’re exhausted”

I climb to my feet. Realizing our hands are still clasped together, I help her stand. She smiles shyly and then drops her hand from mine. My lips twitch as I try to stifle the grin her reaction to me causes. Gently placing my hand on the small of her back, I guide her out of my study and back to her room. The heat that radiates from her skin through the oversized sweatshirt has my dick stiffening in my pants, which I do my best to ignore. We pass Danny Boy in the hall, standing at attention outside of Nina’s bedroom door. He nods to both of us and offers a kind smile to Nina. I stop at the doorway, not wanting to cross into her space. She turns to face me one last time.

“Giovanni,” Nina’s soft voice calls out to me. “Thank you for being honest with me. As much as I want to return the gesture and tell you everything...” the words die on her lips.

I start to move into her space but stop myself.

“Bella, you can tell me when you’re ready. You’re safe here. If you need anything, there is an intercom on your nightstand to reach out to Mrs. De Luca through the night.” As I take a step back into the hallway, I notice one of my men leaning against the wall. “Danny Boy will be stationed outside of your room tonight if you need anything that Mrs. De Luca can’t help with.”

Nina nods and meanders into her bathroom, closing the door behind her. I turn to Danny who schools his facial expressions like the dutiful soldier he is.

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