Ruler of defiance, p.5
Ruler Of Defiance, page 5
He shrugs. “Yeah, a bunch of them mean something, mostly the ones you can’t see. The ones you can see are just extra art. They cover scars from fighting.”
“Fighting?” I gasp and pull away.
“I fight underground. Mostly, I just beat information out of people. Does that scare you, Lessi?”
Secretly, I love how the nickname rolls off his tongue. I know I told him he didn’t deserve to call me by that name, but he was working his way up the ladder.
I shake my head. What am I doing? I should fight harder against this sham of a marriage, yet my resolve is weak with Gio.
“Of course not. I’m just not a fan. Do you expect me to clean you up after a fight? Because that won’t happen. Also, I don’t know how I can deal with a husband who has a black eye all the time.” There. My fight’s coming back. I just have to channel it and feed off of it instead of his damn scent and gorgeous tattoos. “Speaking of which,” I add “Is that where you sneak off to every other night?
His eyes narrow as his fists visibly clench at his sides. “No.”
Such a man of little words. “No, what?”
“First off I don’t sneak around. Matteo knows where I go each time, not that it’s any of your business. Second, you don’t need to worry about me. I never come home with black eyes.” He smirks before continuing. “The other always comes home in a body bag.”
“Wait a minute!” I snap. “None of my business? How dare you? It is my business especially if I make it my business.” I stomp my foot and match his stare. Giovanni lurches forward causing me to step back into the counter. A small gasp leaves my lips as I stare directly into his soul. Daring him to hit me. Daring him to inflict physical pain. If he did I’d be gone in a heartbeat. Arranged marriage or not. No one will ever abuse me the way my father abused my mom.
“Watch your tone with me Alessandra.” He breathes as his nostrils flare like a raging bull.
A shiver runs up my spine but I can’t speak. The words are lost in my throat lodged so deep I almost can’t breathe.
“Don’t worry, I’ll never lay my hands on you like your disgraceful father.” He backs up and turns to leave, but stops. “My parents will be here any minute.” Gio growls.
I watch as he walks away and disappears around the corner. I slouch against the counter, trying to catch my breath. If we don’t find a way to get along, this will be a long, miserable life.
I take a deep breath, glancing down at my dress as Gio comes up behind me. I swing open the door with a smile, greeting my future in-laws. His mother hugs me tight, as always. Her floral perfume sends a comforting feeling straight to my soul. Something my mother’s perfume never did.
“Hi darling, oh it smells delicious in here!” she gushes as she steps back to allow his father to greet me with a handshake and a curt nod.
“Son,” he says as he steps around me and shakes Gio’s hand before patting him on the shoulder.
I smile. “I hope you like Chicken Parm. It’s one of my favorite dishes to make.”
“Oh wonderful. Yes, I love that dish. After all, we are Italian.” She laughs and waves me off dismissively.
“Mom, come sit.” Gio gestures toward our living room couch as they both scan the area.
“You’ve done well with the place.” Theresa coos as she sits.
“Thank you. Would you like some wine?” I always hated when my mother would be fake to our guests at dinner, but this didn’t feel forced. With Gio’s parents, it seems to come easy, like I just fit. Something I never thought I’d experience being in an arranged marriage.
“Absolutely.” she sighs.
“Whiskey for me.” His father’s baritone voice fills the room.
I nod and make my way over to the mini makeshift bar near the kitchen that we had set up just hours ago. I reach my shaky hand out to grab a small tumbler, but a larger one covers mine. His hand melds with mine as I suck in a deep breath. I feel his other warm palm rest against the small swell of my back, sending shivers up my spine.
“Relax Lessi. You’re doing fine.” Gio’s smooth voice travels in my ears in a hushed tone.
I nod robotically as both of our arms come down together, setting the tumbler safely on the wooden counter. This gentle side of Gio confuses me. I’ve only known him as broody and silent. Wicked when pushed, but never gentle. I meet his eyes that swirl with a mix of desire and curiosity. Maybe he’s not used to himself being so gentle.
Do I bring that out in him? Or is this all a ruse?
Gulping, I look away, letting my hair fall in front of my face as I bend down and grab the bottle of whiskey and a bottle of Pinot Grigio.
“I’ll pour the whiskey. I know how much he likes,” Gio mutters as he plucks the bottle from my clutch.
I roll my eyes and scoff. There’s the old Gio I know.
“Don’t roll those eyes at me, beautiful. That’s for me to do when I’m ravishing your body in bed.”
I stiffen, losing the ability to breathe as my pussy spasms and my stomach flips. I have to grab the edge of the stand to hold my suddenly weak knees.
“That’s right baby,” he murmurs against my ears.
My head involuntarily leans back against him as my eyes flutter close.
“Only I have that effect on you. Never forget that.”
My eyes pop open wide as I suck in air to my deflated lungs. A gust of cold air makes me shiver as I angle my head just so to see Giovanni strutting away, smiling.
That bastard.
CHAPTER 8
ALESSANDRA
My head bumps against the top of the trunk as Gio’s driving hits another earth swallowing pothole. I curse myself for going through with this lunatic plan. I can’t help it. I need to see Gio fight. I need to know what he is capable of. I mean, I know he fights underground, but I always thought the boys would back him up. Yet they never do.
When I saw him talking in hushed tones with Marco earlier, I jumped into action without thinking. Sneaking out of the door and into his trunk. My heart pounds in my chest with anticipation and a hint of regret not knowing where he’s driving to. The prick didn’t even bother to say goodbye to me. I scoff to myself before another bump nearly knocks me unconscious.
I can’t marry a psychopath. And with all the betrayal going on lately, I just couldn’t resist. Finally, the car rolls to a stop. I wait quietly for the door to slam shut before pushing against the backseat that folds down, allowing trapped people like me to escape. I slither across the back seat and into a seated position, keeping my head low.
Peeking my eyes out of the tinted window, I scan my surroundings. I catch a glimpse of Gio rounding the corner and when I don’t see anyone else; I ease the door handle open and slink out of it like a puddle of water, keeping my body tight against the sleek black car that blends in with the chilly night sky. I shiver, wrapping my arms around my middle, glancing from left to right before I inch away from the car.
A loud thud has me jumping like a cat on a hot tin roof and running toward the door Gio went in to like my ass was on fire. I plaster myself against the brick wall, once again scanning my surroundings before peeping my head around the corner.
A dingy rusted metal door stands directly in my vision, slightly ajar, and when I don’t see anyone guarding it, I slip around the corner and into the door. Small dim flickering lights illuminate a narrow corridor and another rusted door sits at the end of the hallway. I take a deep breath, pasting myself against the dirty walls, and slide down slowly.
Once I reach the second door, I can hear muffled sounds. Shouting, booing, and cheering, different names echo in my ears. My curiosity piques, but I hesitate on the handle, looking back over my shoulder to make sure no one else is coming.
What would I face on the other side of this door? What if I walked right into a deal going down or a poker game with one of our family members getting intel on an enemy? I’d heard my brother talk many times when he didn’t think I was listening and was told many times by my parents the streets were not for ladies.
But I was this close. Why turn back now?
It was now or never, and my curiosity would never die until I saw what was behind this door. I held my breath, counted to three, and inched the door open just enough to sneak my body through.
Thankfully, I’m faced with a large crowd of people screaming and shouting. I pull my hood over my head and stick to the shadows successfully dodging the sweaty bodies until I get a view of what it is they are shouting at.
My heart thuds in my ribcage as my eyes lock onto the familiar body of Gio. He stands in the center of the room with a bright hanging light swinging from left to right. His body dances from foot to foot, his hands raise into fists. Sweat beads drip from his temples and his tattoos that I’ve traced from time to time, shines on full display as they ripple along his muscular form.
Another man faces him in the same position. The man takes a swing as Gio ducts his head. “You owe me money motherfucker. The man shouts over the crowd.
Gio smirks. “I don’t owe you shit except a broken nose and maybe a wired shut jaw.” He growls.
The crowd is clearly divided as both cheer different words that get jumbled together.
I can’t deny how sexy Gio is, but in the same instance, I’m terrified out of my mind. Images flash across my mind of Marco getting beat by our father. Gio swings as a popping sound resounds in the air, blood squirts from the guy’s mouth as he staggers back dazed.
He shakes his head and rolls his shoulders. “That’s all you got?” the dumbass taunts as they circle each other.
Gio chuckles. “You should know me by now, Carlos. After all, just look at your pathetic brother, Mario.”
The guy, now known as Carlos, charges at him and I can’t help but scream bloody murder. My scream seems to echo around the room as Gio’s eyes glance in my direction, momentarily distracting him. I cover my mouth in shock as Carlos pummels Gio to the ground and they go at it.
A few beady eyes turn in my direction, causing goosebumps to rise along my spine. They know I’m a girl among men. Men who no doubt want some action.
My breathing quickens in my chest as I glance at Gio who swings a blow toward Carlos’s jaw, causing him to roll off Gio and onto the floor. Gio scrambles back to his feet, scanning the crowd, but he doesn’t have to scan long, as someone rips my hoodie from my head, causing me to cry out.
I stumble backward at the force and nearly fall on my ass, but regain my composure as a few men circle me like vultures on road kill. I back myself into a corner, placing my arms up in front of me.
“Lookie who we have here. Fresh meat boys.” One man with missing teeth and wild eyes says as he scans me from head to toe.
“I am not a piece of meat!” I shout with a scowl.
“What’s a girl like you doing in a place like this? Didn’t your mamma ever tell you girlies don’t belong on the streets with us guys?” He reaches out his hand and tugs on my hoodie strings as I slap his hand away.
The crowd snickers.
“Oh, boys, we have a feisty one here.” The same guy growls with a smirk.
“Touch her one more time and everyone dies.” Gio’s booming voice bounces off the brick walls.
Someone nearly yanks the man in front of me out of his shoes and tosses him halfway across the room. His body lands with a thud and a few pops, but doesn’t move.
Oh god is he dead?
I glance into Gio’s angry eyes and quickly look away. His body moves so that his back is facing me, shielding me from the rest of the crowd. It’s easy to do with his muscular form.
“Match is over, get the fuck out if you know what’s good for you!” He shouts and when no one attempts to move, he flinches his body toward them and growls.
The crowd jumps back with their hands raised before dispersing through the door I’d entered. Once everyone is gone, but the lifeless bodies, he turns to me slowly.
“Gio I-”
He holds his hand up, a scowl so deep is etched across his face his brows are creased in a deep v as he shakes his head. He scans me from head to toe before gently wrapping his arm around my back and nudging me out of the room.
The car ride is silent as we whip through the dark streets. Giovanni’s hands grip the steering wheel with a scowl plastered on his face.
“Say something.” I sigh, glancing over at him.
He stays silent, not even sparing me a glance.
“Gio!” I shout, feeling my nerves go haywire.
Slowly, he turns his head and glares at me.
“Fine!” I throw my hands up in the air, letting them fall down on my lap with a thud.
Slamming on the breaks, I fall forward as my heart jackhammers in my throat. He pulls the car over and gets out, slamming the door behind him. My shaky hand unlocks the seatbelt, and I get out to follow him. I don’t recognize where we are as there are no houses or buildings around.
“What the hell were you thinking?” He shouts at me. Anger radiates off of him in waves.
I jump at the aggressive tone in his voice. “I wasn’t! If you’d stop being so secretive, this wouldn’t have happened!”
He stomps over to me and pins me up against the car. “I’m not fucking secretive,” he growls, sending a jolt straight to my aching core. A hint of sweat and metal mixed with his sweet cologne fills my nostrils.
“Yeah, right. Punching and working out in that damn basement every night, sneaking out of the house at random times without Matteo and Marco. Seems pretty suspicious to me. I needed to know who I was really being forced to marry.” I make sure I emphasize the word forced just to dig that sword deeper in.
“I told you before Matteo knows where I go. I don’t sneak out! Working out in the basement is a stress reliever for me. So fucking what?! That was really fucking careless of you. If you’d stop being so fucking nosy, we would be safe at home right now!” He punches the car next to me, making me flinch and doesn’t let me reply. “We could have been at home right now doing this,” he smashes his lips against mine, causing my breath to cease and my eyes to clamp shut.
My heart dances between my chest cavity and my stomach while butterflies march all over it. I wrap my arms around his torso as we fight a lip battle of epic proportions.
His fingers find the hem of my jean shorts and unbuttons them. They dive in between my legs, causing my core to clench.
I gasp at the rate in which he fingers me. Friction and heat light up my insides before I realize where we are.
“Gio,” I gasp with every stroke. “We can’t. We’re outside in public. What if someone sees us?”
He nips my ear before moving down my neck, pressing his lean body closer to me. The cool metal from the car sends a shiver down my spine. “That’s the whole point. Maybe you shouldn’t have followed me. I was planning on fucking you senseless when I got back.” He whispers in my ear.
The sheer thought of getting caught turns me on even more and makes my knees go weak. “Fine. Don’t stop.” I breathlessly reply. “Punish me, Giovanni.”
He growls as he increases his pace. My core clenches and my stomach spasms, but he doesn’t let me fall. He scoops up my leg and presses his erection into my throbbing clit. Gio nips and sucks at my bottom lip as he rocks into me. I cry out, feeling the tension grow and pool in my belly.
And just when I’m about to explode, he pulls away, a gust of wind fanning my exposed body. My eyes whip open, trying to gather my wits about me, searching for him in the dark.
“What the fuck?” I ask.
“Get in the fucking car.” He demands as he walks around.
“But—”
I don’t get to finish as the car starts viciously.
That motherfucker, I think as I rearrange myself and get back in slowly.
As soon as my door shuts, he takes off, squealing the tires, forcing me to mold into his seat. I punch him in the shoulder as hard as I can and turn my head to glare out the window.
Just wait, asshole. Just wait.
CHAPTER 9
ALESSANDRA
Bass fills the house from below as it vibrates the floor beneath my feet. Every night at the same time, Gio departs to the basement and blares some crazy hardcore music for exactly one hour. I’ve only crept down one time since I’ve been here and the sight was like no other. A sweaty tanned body with muscles galore. Tattoos bounced with every flex he made. I couldn’t take it and ran up the stairs to my room to use B.O.B.
Tonight I want a little action and, of course, a little payback for what he did to me last night outside of his car. Maybe if he let me try, we could come to some level of comfortableness or understanding. And who wouldn’t want to work out with something like that?
I pull the door open with determination and strut down the stairs.
He doesn’t notice me as he pulverizes the large red bag hanging from the ceiling. The music is deafening, but Gio doesn’t seem to mind. His eyebrows are furrowed in concentration.
I’ve never seen anything sexier. I walk over to the iPod holder and turn the volume down. He nearly falls over and misses his shot, looking dazed and confused before his eyes meet mine.
“What are you doing?” Gio asks, heaving in needed air.
“I want to try.”
“Try what?” he asks with a puzzled look.
I tilt my head at the punching bag dangling from the ceiling.
He laughs. “No way. This space here,” he circles his finger around, “is my domain. It’s a man’s place. Only men fight in this world.”
If flames could shoot through my eyes and every inch of me, they would. “How dare you!” I stomp over to him and punch his biceps.
He glances down at the spot I just hit, unfazed.
“Fuck you and your macho attitude!” I punch him again in the chest, then in the stomach, until I’m full out, lunging at him and kicking him wherever I can. “You’re just like him!” I scream, making my throat hoarse.
I know my rage is out of control, but I can’t help it. All I see is red until my wrists are pinned above my head and Gio’s face is mere inches from mine.
