Chapter 20
Ava’s POV
Dante’s words echoed in my mind, a chilling threat disguised as a family bond. He couldn’t kill Fabio because they were brothers. But their twisted relationship meant nothing to me.
“Miss Ava, your tea, Cecille murinured, gently placing the warm cup on the table.
Fresh from a long, steamy shower, I sat in the dining room, a towel turbaned on my head and my body wrapped in a plush
robe.
I offered Cecille a small smile and slowly sipped the tea. Thanks, Cecille.”
My phone, finally charged after an hour, buzzed to life. It’s time to face the aftermath of the Moretti mansion.
My breath hitched. Ten missed calls from Fabio glared back at me, along with three unread messages. I tapped on the last one, my heart pounding.
What did Dante do?”
“That motherfucker did something?”
“If you’re not going to answer my call, I’ll visit you tonight.”
I gasped, jumping up, surprise jolting through me as tires screeched outside the villa, the unmistakable whine of a turbo engine announcing Fabio’s hasty arrival in his sports car.
“Miss Ava, are you alright?” Cecille asked, her voice laced with worry.
I bit
my lower lip, pressing a hand to my forehead like I was fighting off a headache. T’m okay, Cecille. Just… let the Don wait in the living room. I need to change into something decent. I hurried upstairs, my mind racing.
What was he doing here? It wasn’t like Dante had actually done anything. I threw open my closet doors, my thoughts still tangled with Fabio and Dante, these two crazy brothers who were seriously creeping me out.
My phone shrieked again, making me jump. As I reached for it on the bed, my bare foot landed on something sharp- probably a stray hair clip. “Ow, fuck!” I stumbled, my feet sliding out from under me, and my back slammed against the floor. A sharp cry of pain escaped my lips. “Ugh!”
Then, BAM! The door practically flew off its hinges, and there was Fabio, standing like some kind of brooding, gorgeous storm cloud in the doorway. He took one look, and then WHAM! he slammed it shut again.
Okay, what was with the dramatic entrance? Was he auditioning for a soap opera?
And then my brain finally caught up with the situation. Oh. My. God. My bathrobe had decided to stage its own little rebellion and was currently flapping open like a pair of saloon doors, giving him a front–row seat to.. well, everything.
“Oh, for the love of all that is holy! Just kill me!” I shrieked, clutching the offending robe like my life depended on it and my cheeks feeling like they were on fire.
I squeezed my eyes shut tight, bracing myself. I heard his footsteps approaching, and then suddenly, I was being lifted, his hands surprisingly gentle as he effortlessly placed me on the bed. “Are you hurt?”
I opened my eyes, still feeling ridiculously exposed and awkward. “My back…”
Then he started stroking my back, a seemingly innocent gesture that sent a weird shiver down my spine. It was so unsettling. it made me want to make a run for the nearest window- and jump again just like the last time.
Tll take you to the hospital. Maybe you sprained your back.”
I shook my head vehemently. “No! I’m fine! Just leave! Can’t you see… I mean, you saw something you weren’t supposed to see! I don’t want to see your face-
“Ava, I’ve already seen it before, he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. “Why are you being shy now?”
Chapter 20
+8 Pearls
My eyes went wide. He meant he’d seen everything before? The time someone had injected me with God–knows–what, and he’d put me in the shower… then he was the one who’d undressed me and put clothes on me?!
How could he act like it was no big deal like he hadn’t seen anything intimate? How could he play it so darnn innocent? “Yes, what you’re thinking now is correct. I was the one who changed your clothes and saw everything.. he admitted like he was talking about the weather.
“Oh my god, please don’t look at me like that. I stammered, feeling a full–blown panic attack bubbling up.
He strode over to my closet, grabbed a pair of my underwear and some random dress, then tossed them onto the bed. “Put these on now. I’m taking you to the hospital,
With that, he turned his back to me.
“Wow, what a freaking gentleman…” I muttered under my breath.
Without even looking, he shot back. “So, you’d prefer I turn around and watch you get dressed?”
“No” I replied sharply, scrambling to put on the clothes as fast as I could, even though my back protested with every movement. Damn, that fall had really done a number on me.
I’m done, I mumbled.
He turned, a half–smile playing on his lips, then leaned down and scooped me into his arms like I was some fragile doll who’d forgotten how to use her legs.
“If you hadn’t just barged in here, none of this would have happened, I grumbled,
“So, my presence is… shocking?” he asked, a definite tease in his voice, though his expression remained serious, making it impossible to read his intentions.
I tightened my grip around his neck. “Just don’t let me fall. My back is killing me,”
“You didn’t answer my calls, so I came to see what happened, he stated, his voice firm: “I swore to protect you, Ava. You’re my responsibility, and even though Dante is my half–brother, my own blood, I can’t trust that man around you
He carried me downstairs, every maid’s eyes glued to us before they quickly averted their gazes. Ugh, this was too much; they looked like they were watching some dramatic scene unfold.
Then Dante’s words flashed through my mind. “Don’t worry,” I said to Fabio, “Dante got me home safe and sound. But it’s really a lot of trouble for you to come all the way here just to check on me. Why don’t you just have your men do it instead?”
He completely ignored my question. His eyes suddenly narrowed as he tooka closer look at my face. His expression darkened. “What happened to your lower lip?”
Oh, shit, here we go again. Dante you better brace yourself.
