CHAPTER SEVEN

GIANNA’S POV

The minutes tick by, each second stretching longer than the last as we landed in New York. My fingers twitch at my sides, itching to do something—anything. But I know that any motive I have is pointless. There’s no way out. The guards back home had their eyes on me, sharp and unyielding. They were not just watching me. They were ensuring I didn’t even think about running.

My father’s words echo in my mind, a cold reminder of why I’m here. Why do I have to go through with this? “You’ll marry him. You’ll do what’s necessary.” And the unspoken words he didn’t utter but I know too well, “You’ll be a good tool for the growth of my empire.”

Mama is the only reason I’m sitting in this car. To find her. To piece together the fragments of her sudden disappearance. Whatever I do, I’ll do it for her. Years of not being able to do anything have driven me to this point, but the weight of this marriage… it’s unbearable.

As my thoughts cleared, I glanced out the window, watching the day turn into night. New York feels more alive with noise and motion, but here, in this car, it’s too quiet. Zeno’s presence beside me isn’t comforting, not at all. I feel his crushing gaze pins me sometimes, but I dare not look at him. There’s nothing to say, Nothing to decide. My fate has all been decided.

We make a right turn, and I lift my gaze away from my fingers just in time to catch a narrow road unfolding ahead, leading to a tall fence crowned by an imposing gate. With a smooth hum, the gate glides aside, granting us entry. We followed a driveway lined with towering trees, winding towards a marble fountain that sparkles under the moonlight. At the end of the path, a sprawling four-story mansion rises into view looking like a luxury hotel than a private home. How many rooms could this place possibly have?

“We’re here,” Zeno says, cutting through my awe. Then the door on his side opens, and he steps out, rounds the car, his movements smooth, and he opens my side of the door with practiced motion. He holds out his hand, and I take it reluctantly, the coldness of his touch biting into my skin. I step out of the car, the gravel beneath my feet crunching with every step. The guards stiffened as soon as their eyes landed on me, their eyes narrowing like sharp daggers. There’s no warmth in their stares—only cold, distant animosity. They don’t want me here, it’s very evident. But they don’t need to worry, I also don’t want to be here.

We arrived at the large front door, laced with beautiful designs, old and weathered, but still standing strong. Zeno leads me into the grand entrance, and as we walk, I glance around, taking in the enormity of the mansion. Every corner of this place seems to scream control, dominance and wealth. The polished marble floors shine with an almost sterile gleam, and I feel my heart pound harder with each step. It’s suffocating.

Inside, I am greeted by a woman—stunning, with long, wavy chestnut hair and deep blue eyes as endless as the ocean. She looks to be in her early twenties, though her delicate features could easily pass for a teenager. She’s slightly shorter than me, her frame slender but lively.

She hurries towards me with a bright smile that lights up her entire face, stretching out her arms and pulling me into a tight, warm hug that melts some of the tension locked inside my body. Stepping back, she offers me a polite nod, then turns gracefully, guiding me down the hallway. I catch the soft thread of Zeno’s footsteps trailing behind us as we make our way toward what I assume is the dining room.

Her voice, was high and sweet, as if she was trying to contain her excitement “My name is Aria by the way. It’s so nice to see you and oh my gosh you are so beautiful.”

I gave her a strained smile, one that barely reached my eyes. “Nice to meet you, Aria. My name is Gianna,” I said, my voice steady even though my thoughts were anything but.

“Wow, Gianna! I have a niece named Gianna,” She said with a laugh. “I hope you’re hungry—I prepared a lot of food for you to”

We stepped into a vast space, with the air cool and almost still. Long dark wooden tables stretched down the room, each set with gleaming silverware. Above us, a grand chandelier glittered in the dim light, its soft glow casting shadows on the heavy curtains hanging from the tall windows. A pricking sensation crawled up my spine, and my stomach churned as if warning me I didn’t belong there.

I stood there, deep in my mind. Letting all the thoughts that troubled me consume me. Problems. Fear. Insecurity. The silence in the air hangs thick and heavy until the sound of a throat clearing echoes through the room.

And there he is. There he stands looking bold and strong in his perfect two-piece suit that hugs his body nicely, his jet-black hair looking unruly—like he has been running his hands through it. I can feel the way his presence commands the room.

Enzo Moretti, standing in all his glory.

My heart stutters in my chest. Here I am facing the reality of my new life, standing in front of the man who fucked me hard enough to give me multiple orgasms that could last me a lifetime. His touch still haunts my dreams, making the night we shared unforgettable. He stands tall at the far end of the table, his figure imposing and commanding.

His eyes flick to me, locking with mine for a brief moment, and all I could do was stand frozen staring him back in his eyes, scared to tear my gaze off him like something was going to happen if I did. He’s not just looking at me—he’s seeing me, and something deep inside me shivers by the weight of it.

I could feel the tension growing thicker and thicker between us. I swallow hard, trying to steady my nerves. I don’t know what to say, what to do. I’m trapped here in this gilded cage, with him.

Enzo clears his throat, his voice low and controlled. “Please have a seat.” He says, pointing to the chair beside him.

I do as I’m told, my body moving on its own, instinctively following his command. I sit at the edge of the table, my fingers curling into the white table cloth beneath me. My heart beats faster in my chest. I don’t know if it’s from fear or something else—something dangerous, something thrilling.

Enzo takes his seat, and the conversation picks up around the table, but I barely hear it, my attention is divided between Enzo’s son storming through the door and Enzo’s dark burning gaze flicking back to me now and then. As if waiting for me to squirm in my seat. I wish I could see the thoughts that are currently clouding his mind.

I reach for my glass, the sound of it clinking fills the raging void in my head as I try to compose myself. I don’t know how much longer I can stand this.

A shiver passes through me as he stands up, his eyes fixed on me, and deep down, I know that whatever words he's about to utter will change everything for me and it’ll surely slow my mission.

“Gianna,” Enzo’s voice rings out, commanding the room’s full attention as every head turns to me.

“Follow me to my office. We need to talk about business.”

Deep down I knew it wasn't going to be about business, but I got up and followed him as he led me down the hall.