Chapter 3

The world around me seemed to slow to a halt. My heart thundered all the more, and it made me wonder what the hell I'd just gotten myself into.

Every nerve in my body screamed at me to run, but my feet remained rooted to the ground.

The man in front of me didn't move. For a second, I almost thought I'd imagined the whole thing, until he spoke.

“What are you doing here?”

My stomach churned, not in fear, but something more dangerous and exciting. My pulse roared loudly in my ears, against the silence of the room.

I needed to come up with an answer, and fast.

Think Gianna. Think.

“I'm a nurse.” The lie tumbled past my lips faster than I could catch it. I steadied my voice, and made sure to avert my gaze as I spoke. “I must have entered the wrong room.”

Another wave of silence settled between us, and just when I thought it would linger some more, a soft click filled the room.

I felt the warm glow of his bedside lamp on my face almost instantly. I blinked again, willing my eyes to adjust one more time when someone gasped.

It took a while, but eventually I figured it hadn't come from me. He'd seen my face, and for some strange reason, it made me more self conscious.

I'd never wanted the ground to open up and swallow me more than I wanted it now. Anxiety coiled in my stomach and I couldn't help but think, if he asked me another question, then I would be toast.

“Well, that works out.” He smirked, sending my heart into overdrive.

He leaned back and with a deliberately slow motion, he pulled his shirt over his head.

“I need someone to check my wound.”

It was my turn to gasp now. Asides the deep gash that cut through his shoulder, the faint light cast a warm glow against his abs, and I found myself wanting to trace my fingers along his perfectly sculpted body. Black ink swirled around his body in different patterns and I would be lying if I said I wasn't drawn to it.

His wound wasn't deep, but the blood smeared around his shoulders didn't make it any less scary. In fact, it made him more dangerous, and I cursed my luck inwardly.

If I hesitated, he would only ask more questions, and If I refused, then it would raise his suspicions.

I was in trouble.

My heart hammered as I reached out, pretending to examine the wound. From the corner of my eyes, he wore an amused expression but I forced myself to focus. I felt his gaze on me as I reached for the first aid kit on the nightstand. I fumbled with the gauze, but I still managed to talk myself through it.

Just get it over with and leave.

I pressed the cloth against his wound, and he let out a sharp breath, his muscles tensing beneath my touch. His skin was warm, and I forced myself to focus on not hurting him all the more.

“Careful.” He murmured. “You're supposed to help me, not make it worse.”

“I'm trying.” I snapped, but it only made him chuckle.

“Feisty.” A low chuckle rumbled from his chest, sending a shiver down my spine.

I wanted to pull away, but he had other plans. His hand caught my wrist, causing me to halt. The tension between us skyrocketed as he leaned in closer. My breath hitched in my throat as his cologne wafted through my nostrils.

His fingers slid to my chin, tilting my face upward. I didn't want to stare into his eyes, but it didn't matter anymore. Why? He leaned in, his breath fanning against my lips.

“You're shaking.” He whispered. His voice held every bit of amusement, but it was still enough to leave me stunned. “I can help you with that.”

“I..” I barely got any more words out before he kissed me.

My eyes widened, but it did nothing to interrupt the kiss. It was slow, deliberate and incredibly sexy. His lips moved against mine with equal amounts of restraint and dominance,like he was testing how far I would let him go. Heat radiated from off him, and It only made my pulse go into overdrive.

I tightened my grip on his shoulder, while my mind whirled with a million and one thoughts. I had no idea if I should push him away or not, or cling to him like my life depended on it.

I knew this was wrong, I knew I should stop this, but I couldn't bring myself to do so. He must have caught a whiff of my inner turmoil, because he parted my lips with a teasing graze and I jerked forward, my body aching for more.

His smile widened, and I just knew he was well aware of what he was doing.

“I…” I wasn't sure what I was going to say, but it didn't matter. I had barely let any more words out before a gunshot pierced the air, causing us to break apart.

The door burst open, and a man strode in, blood staining his sleeve.

“It's settled,” he nodded. “Those pests outside are dead.”

My breath caught in my throat.

Who was this man?and more importantly, who was the man still lounging on the bed, like a whole massacre hadn't just happened outside his door?

“Looks like you're lucky.” The man on the bed turned to me, his gray eyes twinkling. “You walked into the right room, and at the right time too.”

His words slammed into me like a ton of bricks tumbling down. If they suspected me, then there was no way I would leave this room alive.

“I'm blind.” I blurted out immediately. “I didn't see anything. I don't know anything.”

“Is that so?” He chuckled, and it only sent fear digging into my skin.

He didn't expose my lie. Instead, he gestured to the other man, a subtle motion with his fingers, and he nodded. In less than a minute, I watched him pull someone else into the room, and I froze.

Enzo.

Enzo burst into the room, his face a twisted mix of pain and anger.

“I'm Giovanni's favorite son!”He struggled against the grip of the men holding him, his voice desperate. “Who the hell are you? If you touch me, my father will make you pay!”

I shook my head, slowly retreating into the shadows.

I couldn't take this. I couldn't.

“Your men are dead.” I watched him smirk from his spot on the bed. “You're on your own now.”

“That doesn't scare me.” He sneered. “My father…”

“Your father?” The man's voice dripped with mockery. “Where's your father now? He's comfy in his office, while you're bleeding and begging for your life.”

“I'm not begging.” Enzo flinched.

“No?” The man chuckled. “Then why are your knees shaking?”

“What do you want?” Enzo's eyes were filled with fear.

“Now you're asking the right questions.” The man smirked. “You see, your father took my products, and didn't pay me. That's the problem.”

“It doesn't have anything to do with me.” Enzo snapped. “I don't handle his ..”

“No?” He arched his eyebrow. “Weren't your his favourite son five seconds ago?”

Enzo swallowed hard in silence.

“That's the thing about playing heir.” It sickened me that the tattooed man was enjoying this. “When things go wrong, you have to suffer it.”

“Listen, I'll get my father to pay…” only a fool would miss how Enzo's voice trembled.

“I have a better idea.” He held his grin. “I'll just send him a message. Your corpse.”

“No!wait!” Desperation clawed into Enzo's voice. “Please, I can be useful..”

“Fine.” He rolled his eyes. “I won't kill you. I'll just take you and see what choice your father makes between his business and your fingers…”

Enzo's eyes widened in pure, literal panic. There was no way he was getting out of this, until his gaze landed on me. Up until now, he had no idea I was here, and now that he knew, I just knew I was in trouble.

“Her!” Enzo yelled in my direction. “She's father's favorite. She's worth more than I'll ever be! Take her Instead, a woman like her is worth more….”

The man raised a finger, and Enzo snapped his mouth shut. He turned to me, and my stomach dropped to my feet. A wave of dread seeped into my bones and as he stared me down, the realization of it all set in.

I'd just been sold out.

Shit.