I draw in a deep breath through my nose before nodding my head upwards at her. Indicating she go to the cars with her friend. She doesn’t hesitate as she spins, grasping Gianna and all but running as she drags her along behind her. I stand there unmoving until she rounds the house and is out of sight. After taking a moment to collect myself I begin to follow behind, inwardly groaning. Fuck this woman is going to test me.
After getting back to the cars I walk up to a very emotional goodbye between Liliana and Gianna. I step away to speak with my men giving them a few more minutes together. When I am done Liliana has already climbed into the car and Gianna is now gone.
As we head back to the beach house, neither of us speak. Upon arriving her mood, still sour as ever is apparent as she storms into the house and out back onto the beach. Feeling my own anger thrum in my veins at her childish behavior again I tell my guards to keep an eye on her knowing better than to follow her out there. “I want one of you with eyes on her at all times. If anything happens to her you won’t be alive long enough to give me an excuse.” I make sure my point is clear before I turn around. As I climb the stairs I berate myself for having lost control so easily. I need to be more careful around her. My mind jumps back to the look of fear in her eyes at seeing my reaction to her this afternoon. Though she needs to respect me, I don’t want to be the cause of that type of fear in her.
It's not until I am standing in the shower that I am able to get a small grip over myself as I feel the water begin to rinse the aggravation from me. Though as much as it beats down on me I know there isn't enough water to wash away the sins and the darkened man I have become.
12
LILIANA
Sitting in the warm, golden sand, I stare out at the water. Streaks of light dance over the water from the falling sun. I try to focus on the sound of the water, trying to clear my mind that is such a jumbled mess right now. Packing today had stirred up emotions of grief and anguish. I had taken Gianna to my mother’s cove with me, knowing I will most likely never be back to see it. That and she wouldn’t leave my side and I needed to go one last time and say goodbye to the only place that felt like home here. I can’t honestly say I'm upset about leaving home. I am however not sure I am ready to leave behind Gianna, the only family I have. I always knew one day I would be married off but I took solace in knowing she would be there to help me through it.
Coming back out of the cove, with my emotions already running so high, when he chastised me for leaving I snapped. I didn’t intend to but the words were out of my mouth before I knew it. I knew better than to talk back to him like that. I don't know what I had expected him to do. The anger I had seen in his eyes was a clear indication to shut my mouth though. It startled me, but even though I feared what he might do I could see he was battling himself inside. At getting back here I immediately retreated outside, not wanting to test him further. I’m a little surprised he hasn't come out demanding me come inside and reprimand me for my behavior again, but grateful that he is giving me some time to myself.
I don’t know how long I have sat out here but I can tell it's been a while based on the sun beginning to set over the water. Taking a deep sigh, knowing I will have to go in and face him at some point I gather my courage and get up. Brushing myself off I head back inside to see what awaits me. Upon stepping into the house a delicious savory smell reaches my nose. Smells of basil, and tomatoes swirl around causing my mouth to water as my stomach growls. Suddenly starving my feet start carrying me towards the kitchen to see what that smell is coming from.
Walking up from the living room, across to the open archway of the kitchen I come to a halt. There standing at the stove is Nicoli, and he is cooking. You have got to be kidding me. He knows how to cook? He has changed out of his black suit and into a regular tee and some sweats. The tee is pulled tight over the muscles on his shoulders and back and I can see the faint traces of his tattoos underneath the fabric. Standing in place all I can do is stare at the sight in front of me. I’m baffled that he knows how to cook and that it smells good. Like really good. The whole sight in front of me heats my blood causing it to pump through my veins a
