“Unfortunately for you, my princess, you are stuck with me forever.” And then he showed that sliced palm.
The line was still red and raw, but there were some white tiny lines where the skin had begun to knit itself back together. Dark, dried blood was smeared around the edges, contrasting sharply against his pale flesh.
I swallowed hard. “Why did you want to marry me, Gianni? Did my stepfather bring the idea to you?”
“I brought it to him.”
That shocked me. “So. . .you knew who I was?”
“I did.”
“Why me?”
“Now is not the time forthatanswer. I want you to get to know me first.”
I wasn’t happy with his response.
Frowning, I headed back to my robe and put it on.
Next, I went over to the table, grabbed the keys, and then threw them to him.
Of course, he easily caught them.
Instead of immediately unlocking his chained hand and ankles, he studied me. “You’re mad?”
“I am.”
“Why?”
“Because I want answers, Gianni, I don’t want to wait.”
“Be patient. . .please.”
I swallowed.
“I’ll tell you everything soon.”
“When?”
“Soon.”
“I want to know now.”
“Get to know me first.”
I took in his face. “You look familiar to me.”
That made him nervous. I could tell in the way; he quickly went to undoing the chains and avoiding my view.
I studied him. “But I just. . .I can’t remember where I’ve seen you before. It’s. . .a faintknowing. Like my brain is tugging at something. . .In fact. . .the first time I saw you, I thought I’d seen you before like an old faded memory from a time long ago that you just can’t get out of your head.”
I watched as his fingers fumbled with the chains, an unusual sight indeed. For a man so in control, this was quite a departure from his normal demeanor.
He’s really nervous. I will figure it out. . .
I couldn't help but feel a pang of satisfaction at seeing him out of sorts. “Does it scare you, if I know where I saw you from?”
“Maybe.”
