Chapter 2
Rose
I felt Giovanni's eyes following me all day. I'm not sure if it was because he didn't trust me, or if it was to make sure I was doing my job. When he took me into the dining room at lunch, he had taken an interest in my swollen cheek. I thought I covered it up enough with makeup, but apparently not. Giovanni was the type of man everyone cowered down to in fear. He reminded me of Nikolai in some ways. Always masking his emotions and had a dark presence looming over his head. They were both cynical and twisted in their own unique ways. Nikolai had told me a few weeks ago that I would be safer working for Giovanni because of the new threats arising. Nikolai never did say where this threat came from. I didn't question him because I trusted him with my life. I don't know how many times he helped me with my ex-boyfriend. He had moved me into his estate, so I could hide from Evan for a while. Suddenly, he said I had to stay somewhere else. So yes, I trusted him to keep me safe and if I had to work for Giovanni.
I would.
No questions asked.
The other night, Evan was waiting for me in my old apartment when I stopped by to get my books. He was the angriest I'd ever seen him. Evan was my ex-boyfriend that I tried to hide from. How did he even find me? He paced the floor screaming profanities and slapped me, telling me how I would never escape him. My cheek didn't hurt much but was still a little bruised. Every time I glanced in his direction, his eyes burned into mine.
Giovanni’s gaze followed my movements as I set his coffee on the desk. He wrapped his tattooed fingers around my wrist, making my breath hitch in the back of my throat. “Do you even realize how beautiful you are?”
“I—I.” His touch was warm and gentle, making a new emotion to surface. Never had I felt anything so intense.
“So fucking beautiful,” he murmured, cupping my cheek with his free hand.
“ I have to go back to work.” I had to get away from him before I did something stupid, like kiss him. Giovanni had his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing the black ink. It made it even harder to resist him. My body warmed inside with desire. Inferno burned inside me as he caressed my wrist with his tattooed hand.
His eyes flickered down to my neck, then lower, licking his lips. My lips quivered when I felt his finger graze my neck and slide between my breasts. My breath hitched as he lowered his lips and brushed them against mine. “I should stop myself, but I can't help it. You're just so tempting.”
I shouldn't have loved how his touch made me want him to explore my body and let him have his way with me. This was wrong on so many levels. If he kissed me, he would ruin me.
“Giovanni.” I whispered, as he closed the space between us.
“What are you doing to me?” Giovanni whispered as he pulled away from the kiss.
“I should go, this shouldn’t have happened.” I pulled away from him, angry at myself.
“Rose, wait.” Giovanni said behind me.
I turned and ran out of the room, bumping into Luca's chest. “Hey, easy there.”
I had learned that he was Giovanni's second-in-command and also his best friend. “I—-I'm sorry!”
He frowned, steadying me to keep me from falling on my face. “No harm done. Are you okay?”
“I'm sorry, I just can't.” I needed to get out of there before he asked anymore questions.
Arriving at the park, I stepped out of the taxi and paid the driver. My heels clicked against the concrete as I made my way to the gazebo in the center of the area. I leaned against a wooden post and closed my eyes. I remembered how the bastard had hit me, over and over again.
I opened my eyes and blinked the tears away only to find Luca looking down to me in concern. “What are you doing here?”
“Giovanni sent me to make sure you were safe. He wants to talk to you., Nikolai too.”
No, this can't be happening to me right now.
This is exactly what I wanted to avoid, but now it seems I don't have a choice.
“Please tell me Giovanni didn't call him.” I didn't want to bother Nikolai with this because he'd already done so much for me.
“I don't know what's going on, but if he called Nikolai, it must be serious. Giovanni isn't such a bad guy. He’s one of the good ones.” He smiled as he led away from the park and to the SUV, opening the door for me.
I sighed as we drove away, wiping my tears from my cheeks. “It's about my ex., Nikolai was hiding me for a while. A few nights ago, he was waiting at my apartment. Let's just say he roughed me up a bit. Not the first time this happened.”
“It's not my business., I'm just the errand boy.” He pulled up to the estate where Giovanni stood waiting for us to arrive with Nikolai next to him.
Nikolai rushed to my side. He hugged me and whispered. “Why didn't you tell me he found you?”
“I'm sorry. It's just—you've done so much for me.”
“Don't say that. I promised Vladimir I'd keep you safe while he’s out of the country. You're the only thing he has left of his brother.” Nikolai said.
My uncle Vladimir took me in right after my father died of cancer. I never knew my mother. She just took off and bailed on us when I was just a baby. Vladimir was always like a father to me—even when I was a little girl.
“Come, let's talk in my office.” Giovanni cleared his throat.
Everything I'd tried to avoid was now coming to bite me in the ass. I didn't tell Nikolai because I thought it would eventually go away. I was living in a fantasy. A fucking nightmare, really. Evan was the devil who wanted to rip me apart and drag me into the pits of hell with him. Now that everything was out in the open, I feared a war would be brewing.
One I might not survive.
Giovanni's eyes traveled across the room, watching me like he had earlier. Only, this time, his gaze was softer, more gentle. Like he wanted to kiss me again. He glanced away and conversed with Nikolai in hushed tones, like he didn't want me to hear what they were talking about. I sucked in a breath and closed my eyes, remembering how close Giovanni got to me.