Page 14 of The Bonventi War

8

RAVEN

Aloud crash followed by a thud jerks me from sleep. I bolt upright and look around for a moment, wondering if I actually heard something or if it was just a dream.

The sun coming in through the windows is momentarily blinding, and I rub my eyes. Then I hear another thud, followed by some muffled voices outside my door.

I stumble off the couch, paint flakes falling from my clothes as I move.

Shit, I need to stop falling asleep in my work clothes. I turn back to make sure there's no paint smeared all over the couch. Thankfully, there's none.

The noise outside grows louder. Jesus, what time is it? What the hell is going on out there?

I approach the door, tiredness making me forget about my peephole. I grab the handle and yank it open—my stomach drops.

Boxes. Everywhere. Stacked against the walls, scattered across the floor. And in the middle of it all stands Gio, directing men who are carrying things into James's old apartment. His presence fills the narrow space, muscles rippling beneath his fitted black t-shirt as he points to where he wants things placed.

"What the hell is this?" My voice comes out hoarse from sleep.

Gio turns, a slight smile spreading across his face. "Good morning, sweetheart. Sleep well?"

"Don't 'sweetheart' me. What are you doing here?"

"Moving in." He gestures to the apartment across from mine. "Your neighbor was kind enough to sublet."

The words shock my system like a bucket of ice water. "You're WHAT?"

He steps closer to me, and I fight the urge to slam the door in his face. "I told you, Raven. You're under my protection. This is the best way to ensure your safety."

"Oh really? By stalking me?" I say, a bit louder than I intended, fury overriding my initial shock. "This is insane. You can't just?—"

"There you go again, telling me what I can and can't do," he says, interrupting me. "I can, and I am."

"JESUS! I don't need protection!" The words explode from me. "Especially not from you!"

One of his men pauses, watching our exchange. Gio dismisses him with a sharp nod.

"You have no idea what you need protection from." His voice drops lower, dangerous. "And until I figure it out, or get what I'm after, I'm here."

"So you're just going to make my life hell? Go around intimidating my customers and now," I say, pointing to James's door, "my neighbors, too?"

Gio looks at the apartment door and then back at me. "Relax," he says and then takes a step closer to me, almost in my doorframe. "I made him a generous offer. You wouldn't even believe how much I'm paying for this. If anything, I did him a favor."

I feel his heat radiating from his body, and despite my anger, my traitorous skin prickles with awareness. I take a step back, crossing my arms for protection. "Can you do me a favor and get the fuck out of here? I don't need to be watched 24/7."

His green eyes darken as they look me up and down. "No. And you do," he says simply.

The casualness in his tone makes me snap. I slam the door in his face, grab the nearest throw pillow, and scream into it until my throat burns. This can't be happening. It has to be some kind of nightmare.

I sink onto the couch, my mind racing. How am I supposed to live like this? With him right across the hall, watching my every move?

Screw it. I've got plans today.

I hop in the shower, and as the hot water pours over my head, I relive my previous interaction with Gio, the note my brother left—everything.

And suddenly, despite my anger and fear, does a tiny part of me feel that damn relieved feeling again?

I take some shampoo and scrub my scalp, maybe a little too hard, as if I can wash these betraying thoughts away.