Chapter-27 Punishment (Part 1)

Gianna

Nico was sitting on one of the barstools, sipping beer and, as always, wearing nothing but sweatpants. My first reaction was one of relief. At least he was safe. But once that registered, it quickly faded away, replaced by the anger and hurt that had been bubbling inside my chest since that night.

“And not everyone is as lucky as Nicholas Baldocchi. I’m sure he doesn’t get tired of telling you that every day.”

I snorted at the idea. If only Maximus knew. And how dare he ask me where I have been after being completely MIA for the last three days? He had no right to question me. None at all.

“So you’re home,” I said flatly.

“You didn’t answer my question,” Nico said, crossing his arms across his broad, tattooed chest. “It’s past midnight, Gianna, and you dodged security…”

“I don’t owe you an explanation,” I answered, my voice surprisingly cold and hard. “You, of all the people, don’t get to question me about my whereabouts.”

My throat suddenly felt parched, so I ignored him and the clench in his jaw—a telltale sign that he was starting to lose it and walked over to the refrigerator to grab a bottle of chilled water. I took a few sips to calm myself down and then, shutting the refrigerator, I turned around and blinked, almost crashing into his towering form.

“Please move away,” I said, meeting his gaze and letting him know that I wasn’t in the mood for his bullshit.

“You were out partying with your friend in some shit ass bar the entire evening without security,” he hissed, rage rippling through every inch of him in waves. “And before that, you were at Maximus Vanucci’s house.”

“So you are still stalking me,” I said. “And yes, that’s exactly what I did the whole day. There, I admitted it. Now move please, I’m tired…I want to sleep.”

I moved past him or tried to, but he was quick, grabbing my wrist and pinning me against the refrigerator with his huge arms. His dark eyes burned with rage as he glared at me. But I wasn’t having it. He can’t keep doing this to me.

“What were you doing there?” Nico demanded, his voice almost inaudible with the effort to hold back his rage.

“None of your business,” I said flatly. “Let go of my hand, Nicholas.”

“I’m your husband, the last time I checked, Gianna. I deserve to know,” he snapped. I blinked at him and couldn’t help as a sarcastic laugh escaped from me. He dared to sound like that—like he owned me.

“Right... my husband,” I nodded slowly. “Do you even know what that means, Nico? Yes, you’re my husband. The husband who wouldn’t touch me, wouldn’t pick up my calls, wouldn’t come home for three days. The husband who repeatedly told me to my face that he doesn’t love me. Yeah, you’re definitely my husband... by those standards.”

“I had important business to deal with…”

“I simply don’t care,” I said, stopping him short. “Do whatever you want, Nico. I have learned to mind my own business, and so should you. Now let go of me.”

“I am not letting you go until you tell me what you were doing at that asshole’s place,” Nico hissed.

“What exactly do you want to hear? If something is going on between us?” I said. “You know what? Maybe there is. Maybe I spent the entire afternoon wrapped in his arms…naked. And we fucked…and he made me scream until I couldn’t use my voice. He took me so hard that my legs trembled and I couldn’t stand…maybe that’s what happened, so what, Nico? I am a grown woman, and I have my needs, and if my husband,” I quoted the last words in air quotes. “Refuses to meet them, then I might need to find an alternative. And Maximus Vanucci…he’s one fucking good alternative.”

“Shut up, Gianna…” he growled, his fingers tightening around my wrist and it was fucking painful.

“He is extremly good-looking and sexy, very successful, I have always admired him…I see no reason not to want him…”

“Are you drunk?” Nico demanded. “Do you hear what you’re saying?”

“I am not drunk at all,” I shook my head innocently. “I just had one beer. I am completely in my senses. Why? Do you think timid little Gianna won’t speak up unless she's drunk? Well, that’s changed. Oh…maybe Maximus’s mind blowing fucking changed that?”

He closed his eyes, and I could feel his rage and the fire radiating off his skin. When he opened his eyes again, they burned with a rage that would make anyone pee their pants.

But I didn’t care. I was enjoying this, and for the first time, I felt powerful.

“If only you weren’t my wife and Leonardo’s sister…” Nico sneered, inching close.

“Then what?” I pushed. “What will you do?”

“I would have fucked that defiance out of you right on that kitchen island until you would beg for mercy,” he finished. “And I will show you what it actually means to fuck…and make your legs tremble…” My mouth went dry, and everything south of my belly clenched. But this was good. This meant my plan was working.

I lifted my chin higher, stepping into his space until my chest brushed against his. His breathing was ragged, harsh, and his body was vibrating with the need to explode. Good. I wanted him to explode. I wanted him to hurt the way he had hurt me. I wanted to remind him that I was not some weak little girl he could ignore and discard at his convenience.

"Then show me," I whispered, my voice taunting and low.