Chapter 5
Giovanni
I knew Luca left his phone lying on my desk. That's exactly why I’d spun her around and slammed my lips onto hers. I knew he would be back shortly to retrieve it. I wanted to show him she would never warm his bed.
Rose was mine.
No, she really wasn't, though.
She was only here to be my secretary, while hiding from her ex-boyfriend. She was under my protection. I tried to tell myself I was only doing this as a favor to Nikolai Vasiliev, but that was a lie. I wanted her all to myself.
I leaned up against the counter with my palms flat on the surface. The throb in my temples was making it hard to breathe. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath, calming my nerves.
Luca's voice brought me out of my thoughts and I growled under my breath. “Just so you know, I don't have any interest in Rose.”
“I don't either,” I lied.
“So, what the hell was that in there? You basically marked your territory.” He leaned over the counter and grinned.
“She's just here to do a job. She’s not my type anyways.” I straightened up and narrowed in on him.
“She's exactly your type. Not to mention, she resembles her.” Luca remarked.
“Her?” I knew he was referring to my wife but decided to play dumb.
“Go on. You can fucking say it! Rachel, your deceased wife.”
I grabbed him by the neck and pulled back my fist. “Luca, don't make me put you in your place. Keep it down, she might hear you talking about Rachel.”
A gasp behind me made me close my eyes and suck in a breath. “You're married? So he wasn't lying?”
I glared at him and shoved him back. “Thanks a lot, dick. Get the fuck out of here before you do anymore damage.”
She raised her hand in an attempt to strike my cheek, but I caught her wrist. My cock twitched as she got angrier. “Don't fucking touch me.”
“Will you just calm down and let me explain?” She raised her free arm and tried to slap me again, but I spun her around and pulled her to my chest.
“I hate you.”
I know. I hate me too, and I'm sorry for what I'm about to do.
She wiggled, pressing her ass against my cock. It only made me groan in response. “I need you to calm the down and let me explain.”
She stopped fighting me and relaxed her body. “Why would you kiss me when you're married? Where's your wife? Does she know you're cheating on her?”
I twisted her around and gently pressed her against the side of the counter. “True, I never got divorced, but she's not around anymore. She's gone now, and then you walk into my life, taunting me. You drive me crazy with all the teasing you do. Do you feel how hard I am? That's what you do to me. I want you, Rose.”
“Where is she?” Her lips quivered, obviously intimidated by how close we were.
“She's fucking dead. Murdered. If you had just calmed down, I would've told you that.” I squeezed her wrists, pulling her flush to my chest.
“Giovanni,” tears rolled down her face, “I—-I'm sorry.”
I brushed my lips against hers and kissed her greedily. I had too much pent-up tension inside me from wanting her so badly. She responded by slipping her tongue into my mouth. Fuck, she was making me want to wrap her legs around my waist and carry her to my bedroom.
I wanted to claim her as mine.
It was like she could read my mind, because she hiked her leg up. She hooked it around my waist. Grabbing her by the back of the thighs, I wrapped both of her legs around me and rocked my hips. If there wasn't anyone home, I would have given in to my desire.
We broke apart when Nikolai's voice rang through the room. “I called, but you didn't answer. Guess this is why.”
I leaned down and whispered into her ear. “Go finish up the paperwork in my office. I'll be with you shortly.”
Holy shit.
What was happening to me?
She rushed away without sparing Nikolai a glance. Nikolai whistled and smirked. “I was just coming by to check on her, like I said I was going to.”
I’d forgotten he mentioned he would be stopping by.
“Drink?” I poured a shot of whiskey, trying to change the subject.
“I was also calling to tell you, I know where Evan will be tonight. Thought you would like to come along, unless you have plans?”
“And miss out on all the action? You know me better than that, no way I'm missing out on this.”
“Meet me at my club at six.” Nikolai said.
I rubbed the back of my neck and stepped back into my office. I sat down at my desk, trying to keep myself focused on work. The only thing on my mind was the way her lips had felt against mine—how they tasted.
When I walked past her desk, she avoided my gaze. Her lips were still swollen from my feverish kiss, and her cheeks were still flushed pink. It made me proud I had that effect on her.
Caterina ran through the door unannounced, sauntering over to my desk. “Father, have you seen Lucien?”
“No, what have I told you about knocking?”
She could've walked in when I had my hands all over Rose. I’ll have to make sure I lock the door in the near future.
“Sorry, father, I'll remember next time. I promise.” She hugged me and kissed my cheek before stepping out.
“Caterina wait. I want you to meet Rose, my new secretary.” I informed my daughter.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Rose.” Caterina smiled and glanced in my direction with a devious smile.
“It’s great to meet you too, Caterina.”
Caterina leaned on Rose’s desk and asked her, “You’re so pretty, Miss Rose. No wonder my father has been biting everyone’s head off. Do you want—”
“Princess, don’t you have somewhere to be.” I cut Caterina off before she could embarrass me even more.
“Bye Rose, I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot of each other in the future.”
“Caterina!” I narrowed my eyes and hissed.
Caterina was sixteen and becoming more of handful. She was at the age where she wanted to explore. Luca’s son and her were best friends and inseparable. She’s taken an interest in boys, which is why I’ve got Lucien, Luca’s son on her security detail. Lucien is so in love with that girl, but of course, my daughter is oblivious to him. Now, it seems she’s trying to play matchmaker with me.
I stepped into the club with Luca by my side. Nikolai was already seated with two other men. He motioned us to join them with his fingers as he drank from his glass. Luca and I took a seat across from him.
“This is Markus, and you already know Luka.“ Nikolai said, nodding his head towards them.
I tipped my head and leaned forward in my chair. “Yes, this is just too weird. Two Lucas at one table.”
Nikolai chuckled as he lit his cigarette. “Yeah, it is, isn't it?”
“Have you seen him?” I was only there for one reason and it wasn't for the drinks. I was there for Evan. Evan was supposed to have dyed his hair blonde and about six feet tall with a medium build.
“I've been here all evening, but nothing yet.” I scanned the area looking for him, but frowned. There were no one who fit that description. I sipped the Vodka as Luca whispered in my ear. “How long are we staying?”
“As long as it fucking takes.” I glared at him. I knew he was just anxious to get back to his latest conquest. He'd been banging one of the waitresses down at my club. Maybe this one would last more than a few days.
An hour later, we were still at the club and I’d had way too many drinks. My heart swelled at the thought of Rose and how I wanted to hold her in my arms and protect her from danger.
A finger snapping in my face made me jerk in response, breaking me out of my thoughts. “You still with us, Giovanni?”
“Yes, I think I need to go home, so I can say goodnight to Caterina.” That was part of the reason. I just didn't like being away from Rose for very long.
Nikolai winked and took a drag from his cigarette. “Sure, it isn't that beautiful secretary in your house?”
I ran my hands over my face and groaned. I hated that he knew me better than I knew myself. “Okay, fine. She's driving me crazy.”
Luca and I stepped out of the SUV and walked up to the estate. I paused at the door, and he froze in his spot. “Something wrong?”
“No, I'll be in there in a minute. You go ahead of me.” I needed to calm my nerves and take a breath. Tonight had been a bust. We hadn’t seen Evan in there all night.
I leaned against the wall and rubbed my temples. This woman shouldn’t be affecting me this way. Making me feel weak in the knees every time she was in my presence. How my heartbeat thrummed against my rib cage as she glanced in my direction. It seemed like all the walls I’ve built were slowly crashing down on me.
Come on, Giovanni.
You can do this.