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TWENTY

zina

I t’s not a subtle change. The difference in him is like day and night.

Giovanni has been smothering me with attention, both in private and in front of his sons. He isn’t holding anything back and I could not be happier than I am right now. He doesn’t hesitate to pull me near or to kiss me. He is affectionate and warm. The moment I sit down close to him he pulls me closer. He holds me. He kisses me.

He is treating my like I am his queen. Like I deserve to be standing at his side and like he wouldn’t want anyone else here with him.

He’s bought me beautiful jewelry and surprised me with a glittering gold dress which he told me brought out the gold in my eyes. He’s booked a romantic dinner for us, so that I can dress up and enjoy a night out with him - which we’ve never had before because he wanted to keep me a secret in the past.

For the first time I feel like he’s proud to be with me. I’m not a hidden treasure, or a dirty little treat that no one else can know about.

My confidence has grown, I feel stronger and prouder and like I have more power than I’ve ever had in my life. With him supporting me - I have strength no one can match.

Santino no longer looks at me with hatred. He speaks to me with respect, so does Romeo. I’m still wary of them, watching closely in case it’s an act, but overall - things have shifted drastically and the house is far less tense that it was before.

I’m in the kitchen, making something rich - with velvety, chocolate layers - because I want to surprise Giovanni with something sweet after dinner.

When his hands brush over my waist I scream in fright and jump so high I almost ruin my carefully poured layers. The concentration was more intense than I realized, and I forgot I wasn’t alone in the house.

“Nooo.” I laugh. “You weren’t supposed to see this yet.”

He chuckles, and it vibrates against my back as he leans over to see what I’m up to.

“Damn, that looks good.” He says, his voice low, the same seductive note he uses when he’s turned on. He reaches around me to try to dip his finger into the chocolate and I slap his hand away.

I look over my shoulder to glare at him. “Excuse me. Don’t talk about the desert as though you’d choose that over this —” with a cheeky smile I arch my back and press my ass into his cock.

“Mmph.” He huffs loudly and his hands tighten around my hips as lust shoots through him. The deep growl that rumbles from him is one of desire - and the difficulty to fight for control over it.

“Sweet, little firefly.” He growls. “I will paint that chocolate over your body and lick every drop off with my hot, skilled tongue?—”

I push him away and turn to glare at him. “So you are choosing the chocolate.” I say in horror.

He packs up laughing, adjusting his semi hard on trying to hide it. I grin. Stepping close to him again. “Ok, I forgive you. You can lick it off me.” I whisper, standing on my tip toes to kiss him.

I lift the spoon against his lips, and he takes it into his mouth, closing his eyes as chocolate flavors coat his tongue. “Wow.” He murmurs.

I kiss him again and the chocolate spreads over my tongue as well.

“Wait.” He says, “I actually came in here to tell you something important.” He kisses me again.

“What?” I ask, not pulling away.

He laughs and steps back, holding his arms up in defeat. “This really is important.”

I lean against the kitchen counter, still smiling, but giving him the space to clear his thoughts.

He slides his phone from his pocket. Shaking his head, not looking up at me in case I’m too much of a temptation.

He flicks through his phone and looking at whatever he wants to show me he is reminded of how serious it is.

“It’s very important.” He sighs, his face tightening as he waits for me to read the message on the screen.

Artimis: Inside your kingdom, there is someone plotting to betray you. Keep your eyes open King. Your house of cards is about to fall.

I read the message twice.

“Who is Artimis?”

“A rival.” He says, taking his phone back. “One of my enemies.”

“If he is your enemy, and he knew someone was plotting to take you down - wouldn’t he rather stand back and let it happen, instead of warning you.”

“I was thinking the same thing, but then again, if I’m taken down, he is not guaranteed a better standing in life. The person who takes over might not be someone he gets on with.”

I sigh, agitated. Why is it always bad news?

“Are we ever going to get answers instead of more riddles?” I ask in frustration. “When will things get better?”

He pulls me into his arms. “Things are better. I have you at my side. And soon, Zina, all of this will be in the past. I have my men looking into it. We’ll find out what’s going on. It might be my enemies spreading lies, trying to cause conflict inside my kingdom in order to weaken it - or there might really be someone close to me, plotting against me.”

“I don’t like either of those options.” I sigh, resting my cheek against him.

“Whatever it is, we will face it together.” He whispers against my hair.

That night after a hot shower I climb into bed and wait for Giovanni to finish up the meeting he’s having downstairs with his security team.

Nervously, I open the program on my phone that lets me watch the cameras.

Another warning - another ominous threat.

And I still don’t know who is watching us from the outside.

I flick through the cameras, accidentally opening one that has never interested me. It’s near the servants quarters, outside, by the washing line. One the screen, standing near the back door - Santino is talking to Fabio.

“Why aren’t you at the meeting?” I whisper, turning the volume on my phone up so I can hear what they’re saying.

“So, you confirmed it.” Santino sounds worried.

“Yes, there is someone outside the estate accessing our security cameras. They log in almost every day and they’ve been doing it for almost two months.”

“Fuck.” Santino mutters.

“I haven’t told your father yet. He’s the one who asked me to look into it. I was meant to email him the data, but he forgot about it.”

“Don’t tell him yet.” Santino says.

Why wouldn’t they tell him - they have the evidence.

Footsteps coming up the stairs have me closing the program in a panic and dropping my phone onto my lap.

But it’s not Giovanni.

It’s one of the housekeepers.

She walks past the open door carrying fresh bedding for another room.

My heart is racing so much I have to get out of bed. Walking around I do my best to try to disperse the nerves energy.

I open the door reading from the bedroom to the balcony. Outside the air is cool and instantly calms me down.

Standing in the same corner Giovanni stood when he watched me in the pool down below, I smile, remembering how sexy it felt. I love how he looks at me. The intensity in his eyes never fails to set my heart on fire.

I have to tell Giovanni.

I’ll have to tell him I overheard them talking - somehow. But no matter what happens he needs to know the truth. I don’t understand why they would hide it from him. The breeze catches at the edge of my nightie and dances the laces over my skin. I pull it down, brushing my hands over it to smooth it in place.

Tonight.

It has to be tonight.

I won’t wait. I don’t want to keep this secret from him.

As soon he comes back - and I think it’s time to confess that I have the program on my phone too. He will understand why I did it. He has to understand when he finds out I was right all along.

I turn at the sound of his footsteps.

“Hey, gorgeous.” He says with a smile. “It’s a beautiful night, isn’t it?”

“Hey, you.” I step into his arms and press myself against his solid chest.

My heart feels heavy with the secret. Taking a breath I step back to look at him, his gaze is warm as he looks down at me, his eyes so blue they make my thoughts drift away for a moment.

He smiles and takes my hand.

“Zina.” He says, brushing his thumb over my knuckles. “I want you to stay.”

“I want to stay?—”

“No, listen to me.” He grins.

To my absolute shock he drops down to one knee, opening his hand I see he’s holding the most beautiful ring. “I want you to stay with me, but properly. To be together. You and me. You have to belong to me - and be fully mine.”

I stare in surprise, unable to say a word.

“Marry me.” He says. His voice full of authority.

I stammer, hesitating, even though I know exactly what my answer is. My heart thunders in my chest, wanting to beat right through my rib cage.

“Yes.” I blurt out when I manage to pull myself together. “Yes. I will marry you.” I squeal in excitement.

He stands up, wrapping his arms around me as he does, and lifting me off my feet, he spins me in a circle, laughing loudly.

“I’m so fucking in love with you.” He shouts.

Laughter spills from my lips and he kisses me passionately, not stopping until I can’t hold back the smile anymore.

He drops me slowly to my feet, letting my body brush over his.

Then he takes my hand and gently, with the most beautiful expression on his face, he slips the ring onto my finger.

My heart somersaults and dances wildly.

I am going to be his wife.

Nothing else matters in this moment except that.

The years I’ve spent waiting for him - everything finally came to this moment.

* * *

Tonight is not the night to discuss secrets after all. I don’t want to ruin this moment with more drama and more stress. I will tell him what I know soon - but it won’t be tonight.

Giovanni raises his brows, slipping his arm around me again.

“I want to do some vile things to you.” He says darkly.

I bite my lip. “But - I’m going to be your wife - a lady of honor and respect and?—”

He lifts me up and throws me over his shoulder. I giggle and kick, trying to escape his hands as they drift up my legs, between my thighs.

“You’re right. You’re going to be my wife. And that means I have the right to do anything I desire.”

“I don’t think that’s what it means—” I squeal as he throws me onto the bed.

I watch him tugging his belt from his pants as desire heats my body.

“Ok, maybe it is what it means.” I whisper as he tugs his cock free and his eyes pierce into me.