Page 36 of Giovanna

She continues, “I’m not being clingy because I want him to be in love with me for fucksake. I wouldn’t choose him! But my life is just going to be a shitshow of Elio and his whores. I’ll hate myself.” One tear falls and then the dam breaks. She sobs, but she is embarrassed so she tries to hide her face behind her delicate hands.

Massimo gets up and drags her onto his lap. He wraps his arms around her and she presses her face into his throat.

He shushes her and whispers comforting words into her ears and somehow I manage to get jealous of my gay brother. I pick up my phone checking the messages in our sibling group chat.

Matty: Rossi is in Peacocks.

Matty: Elio. Opposite you.

Matty: Elio.

Massimo: Is this an actual problem or?

Matty: Where’s G?

Massimo: I’ll find her

Hmmm. Stefan hasn’t been so bold before. He has stayed out of our explicit territory and slithered like the snake he is from capo to capo hissing his venom behind closed doors. If he is at our club it is for a very deliberate purpose. He is provoking us or making a statement.

“Is Bluey still here?” I ask Massimo as I stand up and stretch my arms over my head. I’m not wasted but there is no way I’m driving. Getting a DUI would be a pathetic 2022 version of getting Al Caponed.

Massimo looks up, confused. “Bluey?”

“Yeah, the larrikin you’ve had working with you since you got back to Australia. Red hair. About your height. Thinks he’s God's gift to women.” Italian isn’t our mother tongue, sarcasm is.

“I know who he is, G. Just was confused why you were asking.”

“Because I’m the boss, Massimo.” Irritation is creeping into my voice and he cops one of my infamous scowls. “Is Bluey here or not?”

“He was talking to Fat Tony outside last I saw.”

Francesca has been watching our interaction quietly from her perch on Massimo’s lap. I catch her looking me up and down as I stand. With my hands in my pockets, my dress shirt unbuttoned halfway down my chest with no bra underneath, I pause to give her time to check me out. Sure enough, she licks her bottom lip slowly not realising I’m watching her.

Fucksake. The last thing I want to do is leave her to go to our fucking strip club. But it is probably a timely escape because my self-control reserves are running critically low. I’m tipsy and wet for her.

Sitting down to tug my leather brogues back on, I order Massimo to go tell Bluey he’s taking me toPeacocks, and by some miracle the little shit listens, depositing Francesca on his chair gently before heading out the back door.

She watches me do up a couple of buttons on my shirt and throw my blazer on and then beckons me over, curling her index finger. I crouch in front of her chair between her legs and she briskly tidies up my hair for me, running her fingers through it until it sits right.

“Thank you, darlin’” I rasp.

“Not sure why I’m helping you when you’re leaving me to go to a strip club,” she pouts and it turns me on something chronic. Since when do I get off on being given grief by girls?

“I have your brother to intimidate and my brother to kick up the ass. Not exactly going for a lap dance.” I’m still crouching in front of her, our faces are level and the temptation to kiss her is real. Really fucking real.

She leans forward and my brain goes into full meltdown mode.Fuck, fuck, fuck, what do I do here?I want to kiss her so badly, but I just can’t.

But her face brushes past my cheek and she presses her lips just next to my ear and whispers, “Good.” Her voice is husky and it makes me close my eyes, goosebumps scattering over my neck and back.

When I open my eyes she’s smiling like a cat that got the cream. She enjoys exerting power over me. Turning grumpy Giovanna into a quivering mess. She’s dangerous, this girl. Lethal even.

I grab her chin firmly and bring her face close to mine. “Don’t play games with me, darlin’. You won’t win.” I speak the words so close that she can feel my breath on her lips. She blinks at me but registers no fear. I’m fucked. I’d let her win every day of the week.

Chapter Sixteen

Giovanna

“Do you want me to come in, boss?” Bluey asks as we pull up outsidePeacocks. It is a discreet building of black glass with entirely indiscreet large purple lettering spelling out the name of our establishment adorning the front side. A huge peacock tail fans open behind the letters.