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"Good. Now, relax your body and squeeze the trigger gently."
To both our surprise, I hit every shot with ease. "Are you sure you've never done this before?" he asks, impressed.
"Positive," I reply, feeling a spark of pride. "Guess I'm a natural."
"Watch out, then," he teases before darting away, the game beginning in earnest. "I won't go easy on you!"
* * *
The game of paintball is exhilarating, a rush unlike anything I've ever experienced. Teddy and I weave through the garden, hiding behind bushes and statues, the adrenaline pumping through my veins. My heart races as I spot Teddy crouching near a fountain, and I take aim, firing a shot that splatters bright pink paint across his chest.
"Ouch!" he exclaims, laughing. "You're ruthless, Lulu!"
"Better watch your back," I tease, grinning wildly as I duck behind a rose bush. The garden has transformed into a spirited battlefield, full of laughter and fierce competition. When a paintball hits my arm, I flinch at the sting but find myself laughing too. Even with the ache in my shoulder, I feel alive and free.
As we continue to play, vibrant colors paint the once pristine garden, turning it into a kaleidoscope of chaos. Eventually, both Teddy and I are covered head to toe in splattered paint, our breaths heavy from the thrill of the chase. We make our way back inside, still high on excitement.
"Teddy, thank you so much for this. I haven't had this much fun in . . . well, I can't even remember," I tell him sincerely.
"Anytime. Just remember not to let Giovanni get to you. Keep being happy and protect your peace," he replies, flashing me a warm smile.
We're about to part ways when suddenly we hear Giovanni's voice booming through the hallway. "What the hell happened here?" Both Teddy and I freeze, exchanging guilty glances.
Giovanni appears, his eyes narrowing as he takes in our paint-splattered gear. "What is this?"
"Practice," Teddy answers nonchalantly.
"Practice for what?"
"Mob warfare at a rave. You never know when it might happen, and one should always be prepared," Teddy replies with a mischievous grin.
Giovanni sighs, looking at me. "The gardens are a mess."
"Actually, they're much improved and colorful now," Teddy interjects, and I try and stifle a laugh.
"Of course you'd think that," Giovanni says, shaking his head. "Both of you, go get cleaned up."
As we walk away, I notice he doesn't say anything else to me, which irritates me. But as I return to my room and shower off the paint, I find myself feeling less guilty about the secret phone hidden beneath my mattress. If I can just start using it, maybe I'll be able to escape this place, and him, for good.
ChapterTwenty-One
With a sigh, Teddy plops himself down on the couch in my makeshift office at the mansion. Shadows play against the walls and the room is surrounded by shelves filled with leather-bound books. A large wooden desk sits center stage, cluttered with papers and a laptop that seems out of place among the antique decor. It's not as comfortable or personalized as my penthouse apartment workstation, but it serves its purpose.
Living in the mansion is not my preference. Lulu complains that she's a prisoner here, but these halls never held the best of memories for me, either. I would much prefer to be back in the city in my own apartment. There's something about your own bed that can't be replicated anywhere else.
"Hey, Giovanni, what have you and Primo been up to?" Teddy asks, his blue eyes curious yet mischievous.
"Thought you didn't like to get involved in the business side of things," I remark, raising an eyebrow.
"You're right, never mind." He waves a hand dismissively before changing the subject. "How's Lulu doing?"
"Teddy, you don't need to worry about her."
"Someone should. Found her moping around the mansion this morning." His playful tone evaporates, replaced with genuine concern. "You're so brilliant, Gio, but such an idiot when it comes to people."
"Excuse me?" I ask defensively.
"Look, you can't just expect to keep a girl like Lulu locked up. She's not some pet."
