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Regardless, there was something about the intimate curl of his shortened name that felt…forbidden. They had only just met.
It was strange. Most other people were slow to warm up to Ana because of her quiet nature. When she had her ‘game face’ on, sure. But here, like this, just herself in a corner, hardly anyone would think to approach her. Least of all, the Don’s son, who was offering nicknames like they were old friends.
Hands growing sweaty, she smoothed them over her dress, drawing his eyes there.
“Beautiful,” he remarked.
“Oh…thank you. It’s–” she hesitated, “one of the first pieces of my collection.”
Gio blinked, the previous amusement on his face disappearing as he assessed the design more closely. Fashion wasn’t most men’s forte, at least not the men in the Family. But Ana found herself nervously awaiting his opinion. He seemed to intently evaluate every stitch and every hue in the floral embroidery she’d hand-sewn. It was a subtle, but intricate, elevation of a simple cotton dress.
“It’s an evening wear piece,” she explained quietly at his prolonged silence, “but I am hoping to scale up to bridalwear if I get any profits out of this line.”
“You’ve gotten funds from Father for this startup?” He frowned.
Ana denied it softly. “Not yet. I want to prove myself first.”
Patting down the dress, she glanced up and inhaled.
The look Gio gave her then was so intense, she was surprised she was still standing. His dark eyes were the shade of a cloudless midnight sky, beautiful and commanding. There was no way to tell what he was thinking; his expressions were so carefully veiled. But it felt as if he could see into her very core.
With a low hum in his throat, Gio nodded, retreating into a polite façade. Slightly rebuffed, Ana wondered if he found her business silly. Or maybe he had hit his quota of small talk. She usually got tired of it easily too, yet she felt oddly disappointed.
“Your cousin is starting a business too, right? Gold imports, I heard.” Gio wasn’t looking at her, but instead at Antonio with a piercing focus.
Unlike his parents, he seemed wary of Antonio and Gabriella's impending betrothal. Everyone knew that the Don and his wife were warmhearted and open, despite the harsh realities of the Family. They made it a point to build relationships and give others the benefit of the doubt.
Ana had a feeling that Gio was different. His earlier relaxed manner was gone as he surveyed the couple with cool detachment.
Unease settled over her.
Which one was the real him? The smiling, inquisitive man…or the ruthless one observing everyone now.
Clearing her throat, she feigned ignorance of her cousin’s business. “I’ve heard bits and pieces of it, just whenever Tony mentions it. It seems promising.”
“Hopefully he’s getting pointers from you on setting it up.”
She hesitated. “Not sure what pointers I could give him…”
“Plenty, by the looks of it.” He regarded the soft sway of her dress.
“Oh…Well, thank you. I’m always there for Tony if he needs me.”
“Hm.”
Ana hoped her answer was satisfactory. She wasn't sure how much he knew about the businesses. By the looks of his uniform, Gio was currently out in the field as a soldier and likely far removed from administrative duties.
“Do you enjoy being a soldier?” she asked.
“I do, actually,” he mused. “It’s hard work, especially when everyone assumes you’re just the Don’s spoiled son slumming it.”
A laugh choked out of her, drawing one from him as well. It thrilled her, eliciting such a response from the commanding man.
“But I want to help Father,” Gio said more seriously. “Even as a soldier.”
At the strange note in his voice, she observed him. So handsome and so serious. Just steps away from her, but so infinitely out of reach. “You don’t think you will be Don one day?”
“Only if I prove myself.”
