Page 74 of For Your Eyes Only

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Page 74 of For Your Eyes Only

“My mother was murdered by a man who said he loved her.”

Trip’s body stiffens, and he pulls his chin back. “What the fuck? How did… Was it your father?”

“No, my father died when I was very small. He was a fisherman, and an accident happened on his boat when they were out to sea. I barely remember him.” My voice quiets. No one ever talked about my dad. “For a long time, it was just my mother and me, living together in a one-bedroom apartment overlooking our small village. I could look out the window at night and watch the moon drifting over the ocean. I thought we were so happy.”

He twines one of my curls around his fingers. “She taught you to make biscotti.”

Nodding, the mist warms my eyes. “See, we do know things about each other.”

“You said you thought you were happy. But you weren’t?” His voice is warm, like he understands.

“She was always smiling. She would walk through the village, and the men would take notice.”

“I imagine you look just like her.” Both hands are on my calves now, and that familiar heat sparkles between us.

“Maybe a little. She was slim and willowy. Her hair was smooth and flowing. If we look alike, it would be in subtle ways.”

“So what happened?”

“This man, Matteo, was obsessed with her. He would follow her through the streets, saying he couldn’t live without her. He would stop her in the alley on the way home. He would try to make her want him. He said if he couldn’t have her, no one could.” Pain stabs my chest, even after all these years. I’m a little girl again, sitting at the window, looking out at the moon, waiting for my beautiful mamma to come home so we could curl up together and sleep. “One night she went out and never returned. He was so obsessed, he killed her. Then when he saw what he’d done, he took his own life.”

“Jesus,” Trip hisses. “And you?”

“I was sent to live with my father’s sister, my aunt Graziella.”

“Graziella’s a pretty name.”

Puffing air through my lips, I shake my head. “Her favorite hobby was telling me how ugly I was. How my body was thick like a peasant’s, and my hair was wild like a gypsy’s. She made me so ashamed.” Tapping my finger along Trip’s jaw, I lean forward. “Then I discovered I could dance.”

“Is that cunt still alive?” The smoldering rage in his tone burns my misery away.

“She is, and I would love for her to meet you.”

“I’m not sure I could be a gentleman to someone who hurt you like that, especially after all you lost.”

Cupping his face in my hands, I lean forward to kiss his lips. “I hope you meet her one day so she can see what I’ve found.”

Trip stands out of the stool in front of me, catching my waist, and pulling me off the bar. “I’m obsessed with you, Giana, and I promise I will never hurt you. I promise to do everything in my power to keep you safe. Always.”

My emotional response to his words sneaks up and hits me so hard. A lump forms in my throat, and I blink quickly, doing my best to swallow it down.

I never expected him. I wasn’t prepared for him. He appeared in my workplace, looking like the best thing in the world. Then he stole my heart. He taught me to love. He changed my life.

Now he’s making me promises, and I don’t know how to put the brakes on this. I don’t know how to slow down my racing heart. All I know how to do is reach up and put my arms around him, to allow the robe to fall open, revealing my nude body, and to luxuriate in his warm hands finding their way to the most sensitive parts of my body.

All I know how to do is give him all of me.

CHAPTER21

TRIP

“Where the fuck have you been?” Grish’s voice growls at me through the speakers in my car. “Things are getting tense here, and where are you? Partying in Miami?”

Effortlessly, without even having to think, I’m back to casual cool. He’s flying off the handle, and I’m Teflon. I think it’s triggered by the tone of his voice.

“Jealous much?” I chuckle.

“Fuck you, Trip. When are you coming back to the city?”


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