Twelve

 

 

Aria

It’s been almost two weeks since Giovanni saved me from Weston, although saving me might be a somewhat lenient term since in return, he is keeping me here at his mansion-slash-club under lock and key. I have quickly learned Giovanni has multiple sides to him. He can be cold and calculating when he needs to be like when he confronted Weston or when he had to take a business call during our movie. Without so much as raising his voice, he made threats to whoever was on the other line, which weren’t even aimed at me but sent chills right up my spine. Giovanni is not a man I would want to cross.

But then when he hung up the phone and we went back to watching our movie, Romeo and Juliet (Don’t act like you didn’t love the 1990’s version with Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes), and it got to the part where the families dueled, I asked him if that’s how it works in the mob jokingly. He threw his head back in laughter and told me he could see his brothers as Mercutio and Tybalt. I had no idea he had brothers. It’s obvious, Giovanni is an extremely private person.

When I grew tired and yawned several times, Giovanni grabbed a pillow and had me lay my head across his lap while he played with my hair. I fell asleep before the movie ended, but woke up to him carrying me back to bed.

I have spent the majority of my time so far, cooped up in my room reading, aside from the movie night with Giovanni in the theater room. He said I have free reign of the place but also said it’s best I don’t spend time in the common room since that’s where most of the members and escorts hang out. I plan to explore the outdoors soon but I’ve been waiting for my ribs to heal all the way.

It’s now Saturday, which means I’m going to see my best friend Amber today. I have spent the last nine months with my life on hold, so it will be nice to see my friend and hopefully feel some sense of normalcy again.

“Good morning.” Giovanni rolls over to his back, yawning and stretching. I watch as he runs his fingers through his messy hair. His shirt rising and showing a bit of his happy trail. After everything that’s happened to me, I shouldn’t even want to look at another man again and trust me, I have no intention of having sex any time soon, but I would be blind not to notice how sexy Giovanni is. I am a female with hormones, and while it makes me sick to think about what happened to me, I know sex can be enjoyable. I know what happened to me was not my fault. Plus, the therapist, Giovanni made me see last week confirmed that.

I’ve agreed to keep seeing her once a week to talk to her. Her name is Dr. Weisberg and she is a really sweet woman in her fifties. She, just like Giovanni, said she thinks it’s amazing how strong I am, but also said sometimes rape victims feel numb at first, and once it really hits them what has happened, they need a soft cushion to land on. She would like to be my cushion, and I agreed to let her.

I look at this man lying next to me and think of all those different personality hats he wears: Serious, cold, and calculating when he’s working, but then gentle, sweet, nurturing, and funny when it’s just us. Unfortunately, it seems his life revolves around the former more often than the latter.

“Morning, Gio.” 

“Gio?” He smirks at me, his eyes still half lidded from just waking up.

“Yeah, I’ve decided to call you Gio. Giovanni sounds too stuffy and serious, and I’ve seen you catch popcorn and jelly beans in your mouth. I know your whole ‘I’m the boss’ is just a front for the softy you really are.”

Gio rolls to his side with his hand propping his head up. “I’m a business man. I’m supposed to be stuffy and serious.” He grabs my shirt and pulls me closer to him playfully. “And don’t use the food catching against me. You made me do it!”

I ignore the feeling stirring in my belly at our sudden closeness. “Umm... yeah…after you made fun of me for crying during Romeo and Juliet. Plus, I like Gio better. You aren’t stuffy… Serious, maybe, but only when someone doesn’t do as you say then you go all cold and mean. Like I said, it’s a front.” I shrug and get up to use the bathroom—needing some space—and get ready for the day.

“It’s not a front! I’m a serious fucking guy, woman!” He calls out after me with laughter in his voice.

“Uh huh! Whatever you say! Want to watch another episode of The Vampire Diaries?” 

“Don’t tease me! I’m still pissed you insisted we wait to start season two! I need to know if Jeremy turns into a vampire.”

“You will have to wait until tonight! Now let me get ready. We need to leave soon.”

Three nights ago, after staying up late and watching several romantic comedies despite Gio’s whining, I had enough of him sleeping on the couch. I offered to sleep in another room but he wasn’t having it, so I told him the only way I would sleep in his room was if he agreed to sleep in the bed with me. His jaw almost hit the floor.

“Will you just come lay down and watch TV?” I patted the bed next to me. Gio’s bed is huge, like if there’s a size bigger than a California king, that’s the size of his bed.

“I’m fine right here. I can see the television.”

“Not without straining your neck! Look, the bed is huge. I’ll even draw an imaginary line across the middle.”

“Nope.”

“Fine.” I threw the sheets back and climbed out of bed.

“Where the hell are you going?”

“I’m not taking over your bed anymore while you sleep on the couch. I’ll find somewhere else to sleep. This place is humongous. Surely, there’s a room that’s not occupied.”

“All right. All right. Chill, woman. I’ll lay down on the bed. Just don’t try anything while I’m sleeping. I would hate to have to handcuff you back to the headboard.”

I rolled my eyes. “You wish.”

Gio grunted. “What are we watching?”

“Vampire Diaries. Have you ever seen it?”

“Can’t say that I have,” he responded dryly.

“Ohh! I’ll start it from the beginning. It’s an awesome show! It’s about this cheerleader, Elena. She falls in love with this guy, Stefan, but he’s a vampire.” Gio grumbled something about being too old to watch this shit but I ignored him. Everyone knows The Vampire Diaries is the shit.

After showering and blow drying my hair, I throw a robe on and head back out to the bedroom. Gio is on his laptop typing away with his cellphone attached to his ear and barking orders to whomever is on the other line.

“Ok, Nico. I will see you in a little bit. I know… I know I’ve been MIA. I’ll explain over dinner tonight… ok… bye.” After he hangs up, he looks up realizing I am standing there.

“Everything ok?” I ask.

“Ugh… yeah. That was my brother, Nico. Why aren’t you dressed?”

“Oh! I needed to grab the bags of clothes you had Johnny pick up. Thank you by the way. As much as I love wearing sweats all day, I am dying to get back to dressing up to leave the house.”

Gio scratches his stubble looking a little uneasy. I don’t know what the big deal is. He’s seen me naked before, and I’m in a robe. “I’m going to go to the guest bathroom to get ready. I’ll meet you downstairs in thirty minutes so we can leave.” He jumps out of the bed, practically running out of the door.

“Ok! Sounds good,” I say but he’s already shut the door behind him.

We are in the back of the car on our way to drop off Gio. Johnny is driving and Rome is in the front seat. Gio and I are sitting in the second row and Caesar is sitting in the third row. We pull up to a beautiful hotel and Gio turns to me and frowns. “Caesar and Johnny will be with you at the coffee shop. Please don’t do anything stupid. We don’t know where Weston is or if he’s hired anyone to follow you. Stay with my men at all times. Even if it’s to use the bathroom. After you’re done meeting your friend, Johnny will drive you back to the club.”

I want to make a sarcastic comment but Gio is wearing his serious business mode hat so I just say, “Ok.”

“Good. I will see you later tonight.”

“Wait! Is that your hotel?” He turns to look at what I’m seeing. Standing about ten floors high, the hotel in front of us isn’t just a hotel. It’s like an Italian paradise in Vegas. While most hotels here are sleek and modern, this hotel gives off a more enchanting, worldly feel. With large white pillars across the front, beautiful green plants and trees surrounding the area, and a breathtaking fountain in the center, this hotel screams class and wealth while still making you feel at home. The balconies facing the street are made up of white wrought iron railings and have planters hanging from each one. The roof is a beautiful royal blue, reminding me of the pictures I’ve seen of many places in Italy. Giovanni and his family have taken the beautiful pieces of Italy and brought them to Vegas.

“Yes, one of them.”

“It’s beautiful, Gio.” His face stays in business mode but his eyes smile at me.

“I’ll give you a tour one day. But right now, I have an important meeting to get to and you have a friend you haven’t seen in almost a year.”

With that, he’s out the door along with Rome. The ride to the coffee shop is quick and quiet. When we arrive, I spot Amber immediately and jump out of the car. Johnny calls my name but I ignore him, too excited to see my friend. Amber sees me running, and just like in those movies where the guy and girl run toward each other in slow motion, we run at each other. Only when we meet and our arms go around each other we topple to the ground laughing. We hug each other on the ground, both of us in tears but grinning.

“I didn’t think I would ever see you again,” Amber says through her tears, holding me tight to her. I hold her back, just as strong. There’s a throat clearing and we look up to see Johnny and Caesar standing over us, both of their eyebrows raised.

“Umm... can we help you?” Amber’s attitude is the same as it was nine months ago. I attempt to stand but my body, still sore from the abuse, doesn’t work properly, and Caesar catches me and helps me onto my feet. Johnny puts his hand out to help Amber up, but she ignores his gesture and stands on her own.

“Amber, this is Johnny and Caesar…” Not knowing how to explain to Amber that they are my bodyguards who work for the man technically holding me captive, I just leave it at that. We go inside, both guys behind us, and order coffees and pastries, then sit down at the table together. Johnny and Caesar stay back but it’s obvious they are guarding me.

“Ok, Aria, spill.”

“Gah! Ok but it’s not pretty.” I sigh. “So, you know my mom died right after my birthday, but then a few weeks later, I was taken from my dorm.”

“Like kidnapped?” Her hand flies to her mouth.

“Yeah. I don’t know who took me, but I ended up in my basement. My step—Weston, held me there.”

Amber’s chair slides across the table until she’s close enough to hold my hand. “I always knew something was wrong with that asshole. So, what, he just let you out?”

“No, he had no intention of letting me go. I think he planned to hold me until my twenty-second birthday. This guy, Giovanni, found me and saved me.”

“Holy shit! Aria, this doesn’t make sense. When I went to your dorm to study for our finals, Antonio was there cleaning out your room. He told me you needed a break from it all to get through your mom’s death. He said you left and didn’t want to be found. I texted and called for days but you wouldn’t answer. I told him I wanted to go to the cops but he told me not to. He showed me messages between you two. They all said you were leaving and to not look for you.”

Amber’s right. None of this makes any sense. “Maybe Weston used my phone and told Antonio all of this.”

“Maybe.” She shrugs. “Have you spoken to Antonio since you got out?”

“No, his phone is disconnected, and I don’t have a cellphone.” Speaking of which, I need to talk to Gio about getting one. “Can you try to look him up on Facebook?” He was never into social media while we were together but maybe something has changed.

Amber takes her phone out and starts a search. Nothing comes up. Not wanting to waste our time focusing on Antonio, we spend the rest of our time gossiping about school, our friends, old boyfriends, Amber’s crazy, strict parents, and the latest fashion styles. Amber is majoring in fashion design and marketing. I tell her I’m planning to get back in school as soon as I can. How I need to look for a job, and when she asks about my living situation, I stick to details like the indoor pool, Jacuzzi, and beautiful gardens. I make it a point to leave out the parts about being held there against my will, and about the fact the place is filled with high class prostitutes-slash-escorts.

I have no idea how long we sit and talk but when a hand lands on my shoulder and Amber goes all googly-eyed, I jump and turn around only to find Gio standing next to me.

“Holy shit!” My hand goes to my heart. “You scared me.”

“Definitely not my intention but I’m glad to see you are at least alert.”

“What are you doing here? I thought you had a meeting.”

“It ended quite a while ago so I had Johnny come get me. You’ve been here for almost eight hours.” I go to check the time and remember I have no watch or cellphone.

“I’m so sorry! Gio, this is Amber, my best friend.” Gio nods once and gives her a reluctant half smile, if you can even call it that. Must he always be so serious!

“My mother has requested my presence at dinner. Since we are already in the city, it looks like you will be coming with me.” He frowns. Well screw him. It’s not like I want to go break bread with people who are probably just as stuffy and serious as Gio is.

“If you don’t want me to go to dinner, I can go back to the house.”

“The house?” He quirks up a brow and I roll my eyes.

“Yeah, the house where we live.” His eyes dart to Amber then he chuckles finally catching on. For such a smart businessman, he really is dense sometimes.

“We came in one car, an oversight on my part.”

“I can bring her home,” Amber pipes in.

Gio’s hand on my shoulder tenses but his words come out smooth. “That’s not necessary.”

Amber and I hug goodbye with promises of seeing each other soon. Once back in the car, I explain everything to Gio about Antonio and the text messages, and he assures me he will look into it.

About ten minutes later, we arrive in a beautiful neighborhood in Summerlin. We pull up to a gorgeous house and as we are getting out of the car, a petite woman with light brown hair and perfect highlights comes walking out.

“Giovanni, ciao, mio figlio.” She wraps her arms around Gio and he hugs her back. I have learned a decent amount of Italian over the years since my dream is to study photography abroad. So, I recognize that she called him her boy. She must be his mother. It suddenly hits me, I am about to meet Gio’s family. The people who created him. Maybe they will help shed some light on the man who is so hot and cold.

“Mamma, mi hai appena visto un paio di settimane fa.” Mom, you just saw me a couple weeks ago. His mom is about to argue when she spots me standing behind Gio. While she is dressed like she’s attending a dinner party, in a blood red Prada dress with matching peep toe heels, I’m in skinny jeans, ripped down the front, and a soft off shoulder knitted black sweater—no bra since Gio still hasn’t bought me any—complete with tall black Uggs, the ones with buttons that run up the sides.

I can feel her judging me and I am thankful the clothes I am wearing, while designed for comfort, are all name brand and currently in style. I didn’t understand why Gio would order me such expensive clothes but now it all makes sense. He comes from a family of wealth.

“And who is this?” His mother asks Gio, but her eyes stay trained on me.

“Mother, this is Aria. She’s my guest for the time being.” Her head whips around to give me a better look and I cringe as she visually inspects me, her facial expression indicating she isn’t thrilled with what she sees. Gio seems to ignore her look of scrutiny, continuing with introductions. “Aria, this is my mother, Claudia.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” I bridge our gap and extend my hand to shake hers. She stares down at it for a moment and I’m almost positive she’s not going to take my hand but her manners win out at the last second and she delicately shakes my hand, offering me a reserved smile.

“Nice to meet you, dear.” Then she turns to Gio and says, “I wasn’t aware we would be having an additional guest. I’ll have to have Beatrice set out another place setting.”

She walks back inside and I catch Gio roll his eyes which makes me giggle. “What?” he asks.

“You totally rolled your eyes behind your mom’s back. It’s like you’re ten years younger… I’m telling you.”

“Hush up. Not only am I older than you, I’m wise beyond my years. Let’s go inside.” Gio grabs my hand to pull me along behind him up the driveway. I notice Johnny, Rome, and Caesar take off. Apparently, they don’t have to stay for dinner. Lucky them. We enter the front door and step into the foyer. The home I grew up in was no shack but this home makes my house look like one. To the right is a huge sitting room that looks like it’s never been lived in. Between the expensive looking couches, the large fireplace, the liquor bar, and the perfectly matching décor, the room looks professionally staged, not like a family lives here. To the left is a dining room with a table that must sit fourteen people at least. Creams and browns seem to be the color scheme everywhere. It reminds me a lot of Gio’s living area.

Gio steers me into the sitting me then leans down and whispers into my ear, “What would you like to drink?” I notice an older man eyeing us curiously from the far corner of the room but Gio doesn’t acknowledge him or make any introductions.

“Water, please,” I say, having no doubt I need to be sober to get through this dinner.

He leaves me to head over to the bar area to grab our drinks and I have a seat on the couch, unsure if it’s allowed but needing to take some relief off my ribs. A gentleman who looks almost identical to Gio comes to sit down next to me. He has the same brown hair as Gio but it’s gelled to the side neatly. His eyes are brown but unlike Gio’s soft brown, his are darker, more menacing. He smirks at me when he notices I am checking him out.

“See something you like?”

“You look like Gio,” I blurt out as way of explanation.

His eyes lighten a bit as he laughs. “Gio? Does my older brother know you call him that?” This must be one of Gio’s brothers. “I’m Nico, the younger, more handsome brother.” He gives me a wink and I hear a growl. I look to my left and see Gio sitting down next to me shooting daggers at his younger brother. He hands me my water and sets down his drink. It looks like some type of scotch.

Gio’s hand goes to my thigh and I jump a little from his touch. It’s been a while since I’ve had a man touch me possessively in a good way. Nico notices my actions and laughs harder. “Gio, what have you done to this woman? Making her jump like a scared little mouse.”

Gio glares at his brother. “It’s Giovanni, asshole.” He ignores his brother’s question, though. “This is Aria.”

Nico’s eyebrows furrow like he’s deep in thought, then his eyes go wide when he finally f