Page 21 of The Beast of London & His Pet

His response was instant.

La Bestia:No, these pictures are mine. I have someone looking into Amari.

I had to give it to him. He was detail-oriented. I didn't remember the girl’s name because I was distracted by the man’s abhorrent behaviour. I lay in bed but tossed and turned after the change of events today. I picked up the phone and messaged him.

Me:Please don't hurt me.

I wasn't talking about whips or paddles. My father got my mum pregnant and immediately left her, leaving her devastated because she believed herself to be in love with the cretin.

La Bestia:I have no desire to harm you, Kitten.Don’t make me, and I won't.

Silence or Death.

His world had a simple code.

But would it all really matter if his donkey dick killed me?

I sighed and shoved my phone under my pillow but fell asleep instantly.

???

My Nonna was more excited about my wedding than I was. She was in her element, and I realised this was something she never got to do with my mum. Nonno was happier because his wife was.

“I will miss living with you both,” I said quietly.

“Eh, it was bound to happen one day,” he said with a smile, but his eyes told a different story.

“I never once felt unwanted, Nonno. I would dread to think what would have happened had I ended up in the social system,” I said, resting my head on his shoulder.

“Never. You mended your Nonna’s broken heart, and brought me back to life. I remembered thatfamigliacomes before anything else,” he said, stroking my hair. “You were such a peacefulbimba. You made it so easy to fall in love with you,tesoro.”

“Even though I have his eyes and got diagnosed with ADHD later?” I asked, referring to inheriting my father’s green eyes.

“Pfft, you are a Nardini girl through and through,” he said vehemently. “Your diagnosis was of little consequence to us,mia cara.”

“That I am, Nonno, that I am,” I said, wrapping my arm around him. “Grazie, Nonno.”

Their never-ending patience is something I only came to appreciate after my pre-teen years.

I felt him relax, and he patted my back like he used to when I was a child.

“I will kill him, if he hurts you,” he said quietly.

He was going to hurt me regardless, but I couldn't tell Nonno about the donkey dick. So, I remained quiet and enjoyed a few peaceful moments with him before Nonna came at me with more wedding options.

???

La Bestia:I will pick you up tonight.

Me:Sorry, I’m clipping my toenails tonight.

La Bestia:TMI.

Me:You probably get Nero to trim yours.

La Bestia:I've been too busy working to clear my schedule for our wedding, Kitten.

He didn't deny having a manservant who trimmed his toenails for him.

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