Chapter-21 Confrontation

Nico

Gianna was doing squats using weights, and because I was standing behind her I got the honor to enjoy a first class view of her fine ass. She wore those sexy tight gym pants and sports bra and my cock threatened to jump to attention every time she did a squat and then came up. I couldn’t stop myself from imagining how it would feel if she moved up and down my cock like that. Would that feel just as good as she felt last night?

“Fuck,” Gianna hissed and I noticed her posture was wrong. She can get a sprain that way. I pushed the door open fully and stepped inside, and amidst the music and her struggle, she didn’t hear me.

“Your posture is wrong,” I murmured, my voice low as I came up behind her. Gianna stiffened but didn’t stop.

“I don’t need your help,” she muttered, her tone sharp. Of course, she was still mad at me. And rightfully so.

Ignoring her protest, I slid my hands around her bare waist, feeling the warmth of her skin under my palms. She sucked in a sharp breath, but I didn’t let her wriggle away.

“You’re putting too much strain on your lower back,” I muttered into her ear, my lips close enough that I knew she could feel my breath against her skin. “Here, let me show you.”

“Nico—”

I adjusted my grip, guiding her body gently but firmly. My fingers splayed over the curve of her stomach as I eased her lower, pressing my chest lightly against her back. She let out a shaky breath in response.

“Lower,” I instructed. “Now hold.”

Gianna hesitated, but when I pressed my hands just a little firmer on her hips, she obeyed. I could feel the tension rolling off her, not just from the exercise, but from my presence.

I positioned myself behind her, lowering into a squat with her. This close, I was engulfed by her scent—sweet, intoxicating, mixed with the faintest trace of sweat. My grip on her hips tightened as I exhaled slowly, letting my lips hover near her ear.

“Relax into it,” I whispered. She let out a soft, unwilling moan, and fuck, that sound shot straight to my cock.

I had to fight myself from imagining sliding into her in this position, my cock nestled deep inside her, going deeper and deeper every time we did a squat. It would be so deep this way. Or I could just slide my hand inside her pants and slowly caress her or push three fingers inside her and finger fuck her. The list of endless possibilities made it hard for me to breathe.

Stop it, Nico.

“See? Better, isn’t it?” I said instead, my voice breathless. Gianna tried to twist away from me, but I was stronger and held her in place, my fingers pressing into her hip as I guided her movements.

“Nico,” she snapped, her voice edged with irritation, but I could hear the way it wavered.

I couldn’t stop myself as I dragged my nose along the side of her neck, letting my breath fan over her damp skin. “Yes, Gianna?” She shivered against me, her hands gripping the weights tighter, like she was using it to ground herself.

I leaned in closer, voice dropping lower. “Do you want to get a bad sprain?”

Gianna went rigid, and for a moment, I thought she’d shove me away. Then, so softly I almost missed it, she whispered, “No.”

Fuck.

I tightened my grip just a fraction, my control slipping as heat coiled low in my stomach. “Good girl.”

Gianna trembled in my hold, and I knew—I fucking knew—I was playing with fire. The tension was suffocating, our bodies moving in sync through an entire set. She was just tall enough to reach up to my chin, her petite frame almost cocooning into mine.

I couldn’t stop myself—I knew I needed to—as my lips traced her neck, inhaling her sweet scent. Reflexively, she tilted her head, sighing deeply as my fingers splayed on her flat stomach before starting to fumble inside her pants. I was desperate to feel her heat, feel the slick wetness, and I knew she was too, as she leaned more into me, almost trembling with anticipation.

But then she stopped, going rigid and made me halt as she dropped the weights on the floor with a startling noise.

Fuck. I have crossed the line again. Nico, you asshole.

I blinked as Gianna spun around, looking both furious and completely flustered. Her chest rose and fell with deep, steady breaths, strands of damp hair sticking to her forehead. The post-workout glow on her skin only made her look more tempting—flushed, radiant, pissed.

"What the fuck are you doing?" she demanded, eyes blazing.

"You were doing it wrong," I exhaled, dragging a hand through my hair.

"It’s not your business," she shot back instantly.

I narrowed my eyes. "So you’d rather get a sprain than take my help?"

"Yes, I would! I don’t need you to help me because who knows? I might give you the impression that I’m crossing boundaries and making it into something more..."

I clenched my jaw. That stung, and I hated that it did.

I opened my mouth to say something—maybe even apologize—but what was the fucking point? She was still furious with me. I had no right to expect anything else. I messed up big time this morning.

"Fine. Suit yourself then," I muttered, grimacing.

"I will." She turned sharply, intent on stalking past me, but my hand shot out before I could stop myself, fingers wrapping around her wrist. She jerked to a stop, her glare sharp enough to cut through steel.

"What do you want, Nico?" Gianna asked, voice tight with exhaustion and anger.

Before I could think better of it, the words tumbled out. "What were you doing at Maximus Vannucci’s office?"

The second I said it, I knew how it sounded.

Accusatory. Possessive.

Fuck. Gianna’s eyes widened slightly before narrowing, her expression shifting from irritation to something much sharper.

Shit. That was not how it was supposed to come out.

“What?” she demanded.

“I didn’t mean to say it like that…”

“Are you keeping tabs on me?” I clenched my jaw, not sure how to explain this to her.

“Yes, but not because I wanted to…it’s for security purposes. We can’t afford to take any risks after what happened last night,” I said calmly.

“That’s an invasion of my privacy!” Gianna exclaimed, her eyes wide. I couldn’t help but snort at her reaction.

“Don’t exaggerate, Gianna. It’s for your security.”

“And at what point were you going to tell me about this?”

“I am telling you now,” Her face was so red with anger that it almost seemed like she might explode at any point now. I didn’t think she was capable of being this angry.

“I don’t want you stalking me starting from this very moment,” Gianna hissed, trying her best to stay calm.

“Stalking isn’t the word you should be using,” I scowled. “This is for your safety, and it isn’t going to change. I am not going to take any risks with you.”

“Why do you even care, Nico?” Gianna said. “Are you scared my brothers will kill you if something happens to me? Is that what’s bothering you? Then don’t worry…I will talk to them and if anything happens to me….”

Before she could finish, I grabbed her arm and pulled her so hard that she crashed straight into my chest, her dark eyes widening.

“Are you done talking?” I growled, glaring at her.

“Let go of my arm, Nicholas.” Gianna's glare burned into me, her body tense as she struggled against my hold. I could feel the heat of her anger radiating off her, her breath coming out sharp and unsteady.

“You still haven’t answered me,” I said, my voice low. “What were you doing at Maximus Vannucci’s office?”

“What exactly are you accusing me of, Nico?” she hissed, her glare darkening further. I clenched my jaw.

“I’m not accusing you of anything,” I said, though I could hear the strain in my voice. “I just want to know what business you have with him.”

“It is business, Nico. That’s all,” Gianna huffed, shaking her head. I frowned at her.

Business? What business does she have with that good-looking bastard?.

“Business?” I scowled, narrowing my eyes at her. “Since when do you do business with Maximus Vannucci?”

“Since it benefits me,” she shot back, lifting her chin defiantly. “And before you ask again—no, I’m not cheating on you.” She let out a breathy laugh, shaking her head. “Not that it would matter, right?” My stomach twisted at the words. I didn’t know why they unsettled me, but they did.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” I muttered. “I never said that.”

“But you thought it,” she countered, eyes searching mine. “Otherwise, why would you be asking me about him like this? Why do you even care, Nico?”

I scowled. “Because…”

Fuck. I didn’t have an answer to that. Seriously, why was I even bothered?

“Because?”

“Because he’s not someone you should be dealing with. You barely know the guy.”

What a lame excuse that was. Gianna blinked at me, probably processing my bullshit excuse and then a slow, almost sad yet sarcastic smile crossed on her full lips as she shook her head.

“Don’t worry, Nico. I am experienced in that matter. I married a man I barely know, so this shouldn’t be a problem.” I sucked in a breath. She had me there. My grip loosened slightly, but I didn’t let her go.

“Just tell me what you’re getting yourself into, Gianna.” Gianna stared at me for a long moment, her lips pressing into a thin line. Then she exhaled sharply and yanked her arm free.

“I don’t owe you an explanation.” Frustration surged through me as she turned to walk away. I reached for her again, grabbing her wrist, but this time with less force.

“Gianna.”

She looked over her shoulder, her expression unreadable. “Goodnight, Nico.”

Then she walked away, leaving me standing there, fists clenched, chest tight with frustration. I was so mad, I wanted to throw her over my knees and give her a good old spanking before fucking that stubborness and defiance out of her. The urge startled me. Why did I even care this much? Worrying about her shouldn’t feel like this.

But it was. Why couldn’t she just tell me what she was doing with him? Now I can’t stay put until I find out. I pulled out my cell and dialed Domani’s number.

“Capo,” he murmured, and I could hear music in the background. Bastard was out partying again.

“I need everything on Maximus Vanucci within half an hour, or you’re dead…and not info copied from Wikipedia. The dirty stuff.” Before he could respond, I cut the call and glanced at my watch. Thirty minutes was going to be a long time, especially when I could feel in my bones…

This Maximus guy was going to be a problem.