Page 41 of The Bonventi War

Gio scoffs. "Good. Let him. I don't like him working here anyway. Hire a woman."

I roll my eyes. "Oh, one with big tits so you can watch her all day?"

Gio growls, stepping behind me, his hands settling firmly on my shoulders.

That touch feels right.

"One who I don't have to worry about touching you," he says, his fingers pressing lightly against my skin. "Because in case you haven't noticed, anyone who touches you answers to me."

My brush pauses mid-stroke. I set it down.

I turn to face him. "Is that so?"

A slow smile tugs at his lips.

"This Friday," he says, changing the subject. "My brother's wife is holding a music benefit for local kids. She plays the harp. They raise money for scholarships or some shit."

"Okay…?"

"You're coming with me."

My heart skips. "Um, like a date?"

Gio's eyes narrow. "What? Well, I'm protecting you, remember? Also, think of it as a good excuse to wear that black dress I bought you."

"Oh. Right. Okay then."

I try not to look disappointed.

Shit. I actually am disappointed.

Gio turns to leave but pauses at the bottom of the stairs. "There’s no one."

I blink. "What?"

"There's no one that would be able to take my attention away from you no matter what they look like. So you could have any woman work with you."

He then disappears up the stairs, leaving me blushing furiously in the basement.

I press my cool hands to my burning cheeks.

"Stupid," I mutter, but I'm not sure if I'm talking about him or myself.

20

GIO

The prick's blood still stains my knuckles as I step out of the warehouse. I don't know why these street gang dipshits think they can just come into Bonventi territory and try to take what's ours.

I flex my fingers, the joints stiff from the beating I just gave him.

My phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out, my heart rate picking up a bit when I see her name on the screen.

It's a text from Raven.

Going to the art store for supplies, then back to the gallery.

I open the tracking app and see her little blue dot moving on the screen. She's finally taking the Apple tag I gave her.