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Auntie’s warnings had silenced her for so long, and they still did. If he knows what happened, he’ll never look at you the same again…
Her heart sank. That was all she’d been taught her whole life–to be silent and unseen. The perfect model doll. She felt ill-equipped to rise to the role Gio had given her, with all its dangers and threats. She’d barely escaped unscathed the last time.
“Ana.”
The bed dipped as he came close, fingers sliding into her hair.
“Trust me.” His breath warmed her skin.
Ana closed her eyes and leaned against him, seeking his strength even as she desperately wanted to flee. There was no other choice. Not when it was so logical. Not when he was being brave too.
“I’m sure you did all the right audits and checks,” she said hoarsely.
“I did.” Gio squeezed her shoulder. “I would never let anyone into our house without them. Reggie passed three independent checks by investigators inside and outside the Family. He even passed the last test tonight.”
“Tonight?” Her eyes flew to his.
Gio paused, a pained expression crossing his lean face. Something almost akin to guilt. “It was why Reggie was in the hallway,” he said. “I told him I had to take a call in the bedroom and left my office unlocked. I wanted to see what he would do.”
Ana stared, uncomprehending. “But…why? You said you did three checks.”
Gio scoffed. “Reports can only tell you so much. You have to see how people react under fire. Offer them the right incentive to see if they will bite. But don’t worry.” His fingers rubbed the back of her neck. “He passed all of them.”
Long after they went to bed, after he fell asleep, she lay unmoving.
Wondering.
How could he be sure the tests he’d given the guard were enough?
And what tests had he secretly given her?
Chapter 10
Ana fought it.
The nightmares.
On edge after the run-in with the new bodyguard, Ana could feel them coming deep into her bones. She tried to stay up as long as possible to stave them off. Maybe if she exhausted herself enough, she would fall straight into a deep sleep.
But her body was wired and on alert, reminding her of all the previous nights like tonight, where she had been caught unawares. Warning her so she wouldn’t forget and let down her guard.
If you fall asleep, he'll come for you…If you fall asleep, he'll…
As the night crawled into dawn, her mind grew foggier and foggier as her lids drooped. The dream pulled her in, even as she tried to resist, taking her back to the hallway where she was trapped by him.
Footsteps clicked behind her, stopping her in her tracks.
He was back again. Ana could sense him…following her.
In the months since their first encounter, she had watched out for the guard at every corner and in every shadow. Even in the distorted scenes of her nightmares. But he had vanished–just as swiftly as he had appeared, making her wonder if he was just a boogeyman. Something her mind had conjured up after what had happened to her fiancé’s family.
Fiancé. If Gio even was anymore.
It had been nearly a year since their betrothal and a few months since his parents’ murder. She had scarcely seen or heard from Gio since. She had contented herself with work and alone time. Her solitude, however, had left her vulnerable to him.
“We meet again, Ana.”
Sweat beaded along her spine.
