Page 44 of The Bonventi War

And since I'm thinking of Gio, that other part of me decides to chime in.

Uhh, this is Gio we're talking about. Gio, who barged into my life, turned it upside down, and now controls my every move. Gio, who's dangerous and possessive and infuriating.

Yet when he touches me…

Everything about this situation defies logic.

I apply one last coat of deep red lipstick, grab my clutch, and walk out into the living room.

My new Louboutins click against the floor. Each step coincides with my crazy spinning thoughts.

Click. He's a killer.

Click. But he saved my life.

Click. He's controlling me.

Click. But I feel safe with him.

I'm so confused. More than I have been with anything in my life. When you dislike someone, you dislike them. You don't think about them, dream about them, and you sure as hell don't have sex with them—yet all these things are happening to me. No matter how much I tell myself he's this or that, when I see him, I get more and more excited. When he's with me, I feel more and more protected.

But it's more than that. The way my body responds to his touch, the electricity that crackles between us even when we're just in the same room—that can't all be in my head, can it?

Shit, I'm falling for him.

Hell, maybe I already have, and my conscious mind is playing catch-up.

I let out a laugh. How can I live in a world where the one person I can seemingly trust right now, who has my best interest at heart—more than my own father— is a ruthless mobster? What kind of fucked-up movie is this?

A knock at the door startles me out of my thoughts. It's him.

"Just a minute!" I call out, my voice embarrassingly breathy.

I walk to the door and rest my hand on the doorknob. This is it. No turning back now. Whatever happens tonight, whatever this thing is between Gio and me, I can't help but feel like it's all about to change.

I open the door, and Gio looks magnificent. There's no other word for it. He's wearing a black tux with a bowtie, the tailored fit emphasizing his broad shoulders and trim waist. His dark hair is styled back, and his green eyes seem to glow as they rake over me. His neck tattoos show perfectly, if there ever was such a thing, and his scent immediately makes me smile.

For a moment, neither of us speaks.

Then Gio's lips curve into a smile. "Fuck me," he says, his eyes traveling from my face down to my feet and back up again. "You look absolutely beautiful, Raven," he says and kisses me on the cheek.

I bring my hand up to where he kissed me and press it. "Thank you," I say with probably too big a smile. "You're looking very handsome."

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a burgundy box. My eyes go wide when I see Cartier written across it. "I got you a little something."

I've never owned anything from Cartier in my life. Hell, I've barely even window-shopped there.

"Gio, you didn't have to—" I start, but he cuts me off with a look.

"Here, open it," he commands softly, his green eyes intense.

I take the box from him. It's heavier than I expected. I lift the lid slowly.

Inside, nestled on black velvet, is a stunning diamond necklace. The large stones catch the light perfectly. It's easily the most beautiful piece of jewelry I've ever seen up close.

"Oh my God," I breathe. "Gio, this is?—"

"Do you like it?" he asks.