Page 11 of Ludovico's Vengeance

“Good morning, Nina! Would you like some coffee?” Her pleasant tone makes my lips turn into a bright grin.

“Oh, uh – I'm not allowed to have coffee.” I admit, you could hear a pin drop at the silence that falls over the room.

Jade and Vanna share a look that shows concern mixed with fury. Jade leans across the counter and clasps my hands in hers.

“Unless you are allergic to something, you may have whatever you like.” Her soft smile tugs at my already fragile emotions. “If I don’t know how to make it, I’ll figure it out or call in a professional chef.”

My eyes begin to well with tears as Jade whips up the best breakfast I could ever hope for. When my confession of breakfast being a revolving door of yogurt with granola or fruit, she took it upon herself to create a smorgasbord of options for me to try. After tasting things such as eggs, bacon, pancakes, and a number of other breakfast menu items, I feel like my stomach will burst if I take another bite.

“Jade, I – you – this is too much.” I push the plate away, “Everything is so good, but I –”

The words die on my lips as she snorts out a frustrated laugh.

“Oh, you poor girl, is this the first time you’ve been full?” I don’t have a chance to respond when a group of men in suits begin to file into the kitchen. I think they’re the same copy and paste ones from yesterday based on how a few of them stare. Jade turns her attention to the men, “Help yourself, boys, I’m not taking requests today.”

Today is the first day of the rest of my life. Yea, I know it’s been said a million times. At least in the movies and books I’ve had access to. But for me, it’s true.

As I step outside, greeted by the sun set high in the sky overhead, a lightness fills me that I’m not used to. The heat kisses my skin, making my bare arms and shoulders warm. A purple tank top that barely reaches my stomach is the only thing I could find from the dresser in my room after my shower.

I take a deep breath as I stroll deeper into the gardens behind Giovanni's home. Tears begin to flow as I take in so many new things at once; the ability to stop and smell a flower for the first time makes my heart stutter in my chest. The emotions are overwhelming as I appreciate every new experience. I don’t think I’ll ever fully understand why my father kept me locked away, but it landed me here. In a house where, after half a day, I feel more at ease than I ever felt at what I thought was my home.

Abel, the man that took over as my shadow for Danny, follows closely behind, not allowing me out of his sight. I glance over my shoulder to see him hovering a few yards away. No matter how far I walk, he’s always right there. You'd think after being locked away for my entire life, someone tailing me everywhere I go would be a bother. Honestly, I find it more comforting than anything. I don't know anything about the outside world, and that security blanket makes me feel safe.

A throat clears from behind me and I turn to see Abel standing a little closer than he had been with a hesitancy I didn't expect from a big, bad mafia man. Maybe I've seen too many movies?

“Ms. Barone, I was instructed to remind you by Mrs. De Luca to re-apply your sunblock.” Abel’s voice seems strained as he hands me the bottle of lotion.

“Please, Abel. Call me Nina.” I reply and take the bottle of lotion in my hand as I continue to where a tree sits, more secluded than the rest of the gardens. I take a seat under the protective shade of the branches before I generously rub more sunscreen into my skin until the product is fully absorbed. My mind, even if I feel more at ease here, it is a chaotic maze of what if's and why’s, that I can't seem to wrap my head around. I lean my head against the trunk of the tree and close my eyes for a few moments, trying to clear the unknowns.

My eyes flutter open to see the sun is further west in the sky than when I closed them. I must have dozed off. Anxiety begins to seep into my bones, why did Abel not wake me? Suddenly, a calm washes over me when I feel warmth radiating against the right side of my body. When I glance over to find Giovanni with a laptop on his legs, I’m not surprised in the least.

“How long have I been out?” I ask, my voice is scratchy with sleep.

Giovanni closes the computer screen before he responds.

“A few hours.” He admits, “I called to check on you and told Abel to let you sleep since you were up so early. He just left you about twenty minutes ago when I sat down.” Giovanni stands to his feet and holds his hand out for me to join him, which I do.

I glance around to find no one else is near. My cheeks heat under his watchful gaze as I take his outstretched hand. He pulls me to my feet a little harder than I expected, which lands me flush against his solid chest. The air rushes from my lungs and I step back, pressing against the hard wall of warm muscle. My hands linger along the ripple of his firm abs while our eyes are locked on one another.

“Hi, Short Stack.” Giovanni's lips curve into a wide grin as he takes in my confused state. “How was your day of exploration?”

My eyes dart around our surroundings, seeing all the greenery and plants in the early evening light and I can’t help the emotion that wells in my chest. I quickly drop my gaze to my feet and let out a soft sigh, unable to articulate just how meaningful today was for me. Even if I wasn’t entirely alone, the freedom to walk around outside isn’t something I ever thought I’d be able to do.

“Nina?” The smooth gruffness of his voice wraps around me like a blanket of calm. “Do you want to talk about it?”

My eyes roll into the back of my head so dramatically it would make Regina George proud.Do I want to talk about it?

“Even if I could figure out where to start, I don’t know what to say. My entire world has been turned upside down, and while I’m thankful for that and for your part in that...” the sentiment dies on my lips. What could I say that would express my thanks and not come across as sarcastic? "Giovanni, I – I am thankful for you. I just –” I groan as my gaze darts up to his. The golden specks sparkle under the evening sun so beautifully it’s hypnotic. “Truth, right?”

“Always,Bella.” He nods in agreement and makes himself comfortable, leaning against the tree trunk while I allow my mind to assemble the correct words.

“I’m scared. Apparently, my defense mechanism is sarcasm. Who would have thought someone locked away from the world could develop a sarcastic personality? Well, leave it to me.” I bury my face in my hands for a moment, releasing a scream that has been building up since everything came to light last night. “I am thankful for you, for everything. But, I’m so used to being beaten or worse if I don’t control that flaw. I’m afraid that even telling you this much will have me locked away without food for a day or two. I don’t want to go back to that.”

Johnny’s body stiffens next to me which only makes me flinch as I prepare for impact.Crap, I should have stayed quiet.

Angerradiatesoffmein waves as her words fully register. I take deep breaths while I attempt to center myself. The calming techniques I've learned over the years aren’t doing shit for me right now though.

“Bella, I swear to all hell, the next time I see your father,” I growl through gritted teeth. “I’m going to take a knife and slit him from groin to sternum for what he’s done to you.”

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