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“It is true. If it weren’t, I wouldn’t have had to come out here to find you,” she said before turning to leave.

Reclining back on the sink, he rubbed the tension from his jaw. Catching the remnants of blood on his hand he looked back at the door she disappeared from. At some time during his rage he cut his hand in the palm. He didn’t want to expose her to his world, but his world was inescapable. Giovanni tried to scrub his hands free of the blood and wash away the violence of the night. He was good at being in control, but he failed at maintaining control when his heart was struck. He didn’t know how to be vulnerable to anyone, especially her. “Fuck.” Drying his hands off he walked back down the hall to the bedroom and found her in bed with the covers pulled up over her. Leaning in the doorframe, he watched her.

“Are you asleep?”

“No,” she answered.

“Can I join you?” he asked.

Mira pulled back the covers and extended her hand to him. He walked over to the bed. Standing at the foot of it, he removed his t-shirt and boxers. He eased in with her, and this time she didn’t resist his touching her. “Should we talk?” he asked.

“I don’t want to argue with you, so I’d rather go to sleep.”

He ran his hand over her back to her bottom and kissed the top of her brow. “Then maybe you can let me hold you,” he said pressing into her and kissing her shoulder. Taking his hand he rubbed her hip pushing up her thin gown. Sliding his hand around and upward he massaged one of her breasts, grinding his stiffening manhood into the back of her.

He felt her go stiff, and knew if he pushed for more, she’d resist. So he willed his erection down and held her. Sleep was a welcome event for them both.

“Bella?”

Morning came. His lips brushed hers, and her lids parted to a room full of light. She squinted against the brightness. The bed felt so warm and soft she literally felt as if she were floating. Her vision cleared and his face normalized. Mira raised her arms and wrapped them around his neck. “Mmm,” she said. sparing him her morning breath. He however had brushed his teeth, again, and she could smell his fresh clean male scent. When had he showered? How long had she slept?

“It’s after ten,” he said. “An inspector is here to see you.”

“Me? Why?”

“I went back to the villa and got your things to wear, so you can dress.” He rose from the bed. Clutching the sheet to her breast she looked at him confused. “Why is an inspector here to see me?”

“I think it has something to do with your building.” He buttoned his shirt. “Don’t worry. Fabiana has met with him.” Giovanni leaned over, sitting on the edge of the bed and smiled, his hair disheveled and in his eyes. “Thank you for last night, for coming here. Are we okay?”

She nodded they were. Trying to smooth her hair, embarrassed by her state, she escaped the bed, bringing the sheet with her. He’d picked out a plum colored wrap dress and matching bra and panty set. She glanced over at him. He had to rummage through her things to find it.

“I like you in this. Will you wear it?”

Mira nodded she would. Picking up her clothes she held her tongue. She wasn’t ready for the day, let alone for how overwhelming his needs had become. All of it could wait. She felt anxious over having a visitor, especially concerning her business. She heard him leave the room as she entered the shower. The warm water against her skin, and the rising steam cleared her head. The night had been strange. She hadn’t forgotten what she’d seen between Catalina and Dominic. She hadn’t forgotten what she discovered when she found Giovanni, the blood on his hands, the pain in his voice. None of it. Not since she left Virginia had her life been so complicated. With Fabiana and Kei she always felt protected, almost sheltered in normalcy. Standing next to Giovanni, as his friend and lover, she felt a greater sense of responsibility. What it meant escaped her.

After she showered she dried herself, dressed, and finger combed her hair into a messy French braid. She found Giovanni downstairs. He was in his office with large plastic bags picking up the debris from the angry tantrum he’d thrown in the night. Still the room looked like a horror story.

“Hi?”

He glanced up. He straightened and smiled at her. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you. Need help?”

“I have some men coming to finish, just wanted to get up some of the glass,” he said with a sheepish grin.

“I have a question.”

Giovanni glanced her way. Mira stepped forward. “It’s about your sister.”

He smiled. “She’s really happy you are helping her. The dress will be pretty? Right?”

“That woman you hired Giovanni, Clara. She’s not working in Catalina’s best interest.”

Giovanni ran his hands through his hair shaking his head. He really had so much on his mind today he didn’t want to debate the semantics of a wedding. He paid people for this. But seeing her take a genuine interest in his sister and the coordination of this event was endearing so he tried to be patient, “What has she done?”

“She sabotaged the girl’s dress. You should have seen what she tried to force on her.”

“Venuto,” he reached for her hand and pulled her to him.