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My insides freeze into ice. Dread fills my lungs and makes it impossible to breathe. I stand by the mirror and contemplate ways I can somehow disappear.
What is Giancarlo doing in the penthouse?
This is my and Gio’s place. He has no business intruding on it. I don’t care if he’s the new supposed King.
Gio’s penthouse issacred. It’s where we fell in love.
I’m able to inhale a shaky breath after some effort. On a precarious note of fake courage, I leave the bathroom.
Giancarlo’s already waiting for me. He stands across the large bedroom, the floor-to-ceiling windows behind him. He’s pushed back the curtains and exposed the glittering cityscape view of Las Vegas many stories below.
For a long, drawn out moment, we stare at each other. I’m more unnerved by the second, a fluttery feeling in my stomach.
His face disgusts me. It’s Gio’s face. Gio’s body. Except those eyes…
There’s something…dead and lifeless about him. As though any soul he once had has been sucked out of him.
He’s hollow. He may put on a performance and attempt to present otherwise, but I can tell. I’ve always been a good read on people, and Giancarlo Sorrentino is as empty as a living, breathing human being can be.
“What do you want?” I ask. I don’t move. I don’t even take my eyes off him.
“That’s no way to greet me. I expect a hello next time.”
“I’d rather there not be a next time,” I snap, unable to help myself.
His emotionless, blank face gives no reaction. “I expect a hello next time,” he repeats. He moves through the room, his long-legged stride a fast but composed one. “You have been given the freedom to grieve, but it is time to move on. No more lying in bed like a pillow princess.”
“Then let me go. I’ll pack my things.”
“I said nothing about letting you go. I have other plans for you.” He comes up until he’s only a few feet away before he stops in front of me. “Tomorrow evening, you will be accompanying me to dinner at La Pergola. I will have your outfit delivered to you. You will put it on. You will make yourself presentable. You will be on your best behavior. Is that understood?”
Louis’s advice streams in and out of my head. He’s probably right. It’d probably be best if I obey, if I at least make an attempt to appease him. Maybe it’d persuade him into letting me go. But as I stand here, I find myself unable to even grace him with a look. Every time I do, my stomach roils with absolute disgust.
I don’t think I’ve ever hated a person more.
I turn my back on him without answering and start for the bathroom. Anywhere I can get far away from him.
Giancarlo seizes me in a flash. I’m knocked sideways as he grabs me and then slams me against the nearest wall. The sudden move leaves me dizzy, in the tight confines of his savage grip.
“I was talking to you,” he growls.
“You’re hurting me.”
“I don’t care. Know your place. Listen when I talk.” His large hand clenches shut on my chin and he jerks my head up, forcing me to meet his eyes. “Lookat me when you’re spoken to.”
“No,” I grit out, despite the pain of his fingers digging into my skin. “I can’t stand you. Why would I want to look at you?”
He raises his other hand as if he’s about to strike me, but I’ve already prepared myself for the hit. I flinch, squeeze shut my eyes, and brace for the sting of his huge hand colliding with my face.
Instead, he caresses my cheek, pulling me closer, my body brushing against his. “No,” he says, suddenly calm. “I won’t mark up such a pretty face. But I can’t speak for the rest of you. Disobey me again, and youwillcome to regret it.”
A shudder racks through me, though I try to stay still. He doesn’t deserve to witness my fear. Whatever he does to me, I won’t beg him. I’ll do my best not to shed a tear. I’ll have to check out, the same way I did when Mom’s boyfriend pinned me under him and took what he wanted.
“You’re lucky,” I spit out. “If Gio knew you were putting your hands on me—”
“He’d kill me,” he answers for me, a cruel, lopsided grin on his mouth. His knuckles graze the swell of my cheek, his dark and soulless eyes alight with humor. “He probably would succeed too. But Giovanni’s dead. Unfortunately for you, princess, everything that was his is now mine. That includes you.”
