83

MILLIE
I drew in a sharp breath, my astonishment lingering for a mere moment as Gio’s swift action stole my attention. In a swift motion, he reached beneath his jacket, revealing a glinting knife gripped in his hand. My mind struggled to keep up. Before I could intervene, he pivoted and surged toward Alyssa. Her back was forced against the wall, and the blade of the knife pressed chillingly against her throat. The intensity etched onto Gio’s face held me in momentary paralysis, but then a surge of adrenaline pushed me into action. I surged forward, desperate to wrench the weapon away, my fingers clamping around his arm in a futile attempt to lower it. Yet, his strength was overwhelming, and my efforts proved feeble.
His eyes, seething with rage, remained fixed on Alyssa as he maintained the blade’s threat. My own feelings toward Alyssa were far from fondness, but the ramifications of Gio murdering her here were too dire to ignore. If he spilled her blood in this luxurious room, Senator Black’s wrath would unleash the law enforcement, not all of whom could be influenced by the Famiglia’s sway.
“Gio, please,” I murmured, the words slipping from my lips almost involuntarily.
His voice was an icy snarl directed at Alyssa. “Listen carefully, Alyssa. You’re going to leave New York-again-and you won’t dare to return. This is the only time I’ll spell it out: if you ever cast a shadow over my wife’s life, you’ll wish for death before I’m through. That’s a promise.” He struck his chest with the knife’s hilt, right atop the emblem of his allegiance. The intensity of his gaze sent a shiver down my spine, and Alyssa’s face drained of color as she offered a shaky nod. With his command given, he released her, and she hastened down the hallway, disappearing into the refuge of her room.
Facing me, Gio slid the knife into its sheath, though the vestiges of his ferocity lingered on his features. I exhaled a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. “God, even I felt a chill down my spine. You have a way of being truly terrifying.”
A fraction of the severity dissolved, leaving a trace of something softer in his eyes. “I’ve heard similar sentiments before.”
Taking a step closer, I dared to press my hands against his chest, my intention clear: there was no justification in punishing Gio for Alyssa’s provocations. Long ago, I had pardoned him for his transgressions. With the warmth of my touch, the last vestiges of darkness seemed to peel away from him, and a glimmer of warmth returned to his gaze. “Don’t pay her words any heed, Millie. She thrives on malice and deceit.”
Two years of turmoil and tension lay between us, and I dared to broach the subject. “Two years, Gio?”
He shook his head, a mixture of regret and complexity in his eyes. “Alyssa was but one chapter in a larger story, Millie. I revisited it because…” His voice trailed off, the unspoken lingering in the air.
My retort carried a tinge of bitterness. “Because of her remarkable lack of inhibitions.”
Gio’s patience seemed to waver, his hand reaching for mine and pressing it against his chest, above his heart. “Millie, you misunderstand. My desire for you eclipses anything I’ve felt before. It’s not just about curbing my thoughts with desperate distractions. It’s because you make me smile, because you possess kindness, and every time I look at you, an unfamiliar serenity washes over me-a kind of peace I never thought possible.”
A heavy swallow accompanied his confession. But before the weight of the moment could fully settle, Sebastian burst into the corridor. “It’s nearly midnight. The lovebirds should grace us with their presence.” His scrutiny of our intimate stance was unmistakable.
With a reassuring smile to Gio, I allowed him to lead me back to the festivities. Yet, as the night grew darker, Gio’s tension mounted. Remaining longer was a gamble we couldn’t afford-his temper was a sleeping beast that needed no provocation to awaken.
Eventually, we retreated to our penthouse, leaving the prying eyes behind. Sebastian and I collected glasses and a bottle of champagne, making our way to the rooftop while Gio disappeared in search of snacks. The distant sky still ignited with fireworks, their brilliance painting the night. As Sebastian poured champagne, his gaze turned shrewd as he fixed his eyes on me.
“Alyssa had you cornered tonight.”
I remained silent, a small nod accompanying my sip of champagne. After a moment, a surge of confidence empowered my voice, and I playfully remarked, “Rumor has it I wasn’t the only one she had a captive audience with.”
A mischievous grin danced across Sebastian’s face. “More like more than captive,” he replied, his tone suggestive.
I offered a nod, my gaze drifting toward the sprawling skyline beyond.
“You can trust me on this-Gio’s never looked at Alyssa with even a fraction of the nauseatingly devoted adoration he saves for those moments when he gazes at you, thinking no one’s watching,” Sebastian proclaimed with his trademark smirk. “My brother’s utterly smitten with you. Frankly, I’m tempted to borrow whatever magic you’ve used on him to make Harper look at me the same way after we tie the knot.”
Laughter erupted from me, and a spray of champagne accidentally christened Sebastian’s shirt. He glanced down at the damp spot, then met my eyes, his brows arching playfully. “That was oddly seductive-no wonder Gio can’t keep his hands off you.”
“I do have my moments,” I admitted, a blush creeping across my cheeks.
“What’s so seductive?” Gio’s voice sliced through the conversation as he approached, a plate laden with bread, cheese, and olives in hand. He handed it over to Sebastian, who shot me a wink. “Looks like the possessive husband mode just kicked in.”
Gio’s arm enveloped my waist. “Sebastian, I think you’ve provoked me enough for tonight. Save some of your arsenal for another day.”
Sebastian’s grin didn’t waver. “I always have some ammunition left, Gio,” he retorted, wiggling his eyebrows playfully.
I pressed into Gio, my cheeks warm from both the champagne and the teasing banter. Gio let out a resigned sigh, but his eyes, as they met mine, held a glimmer of happiness I hadn’t seen all day.
Sebastian’s departure seemed momentarily uncertain. It occurred to me that I had unintentionally altered dynamics between them as well.
“No, stay,” I interjected, reaching out to grab a fistful of Sebastian’s shirt, my grip inadvertently tugging it half out of his pants. I let go quickly, a faint blush tingeing my cheeks.
His eyebrows shot up. “Gio, could you please ask your wife not to undress me in public? It’s a bit misleading.”
Laughter bubbled forth, and Gio planted a tender kiss on my temple before playfully shoving his brother. “Nice try.”
I smiled at the camaraderie. “So, how did you two spend your last New Year’s Eve together?”
Sebastian scratched the back of his head, exchanging a glance with Gio, who gave him a warning look. I took another sip of champagne. “I assume that involved some female company?”
“A few, yeah,” Sebastian replied, punctuating his answer with a wink.
“All at once?” I quipped.
“Sebastian was too far gone to recall,” Gio interjected firmly, and though I rolled my eyes, I decided to let the topic slide.
“I’ve never seen childhood photos of you both,” I mentioned casually.
Sebastian’s grin grew wider. “Well, maybe we can change that.” He retreated into the house, rummaging through cupboards.
Gio sighed, exasperation evident. “He’s a handful.”
I gently placed my hand on his arm, and in response, a slight furrow formed between his brows. No words escaped my lips; there was no need. It was as if I had caught a glimpse of a hidden facet of Gio’s emotions. He might have believed he had never experienced love before meeting me, but beneath his conscious awareness, a deeper affection for his brother lay ingrained. My silence held the weight of understanding.
“Come on,” I invited, a soft smile curving my lips. “I’m curious to see your younger days.”
A subtle protest rumbled in Gio’s voice, “I was never really ‘little’.”
Despite his objection, he followed me into the living room. Beside me, Sebastian lifted an aged photo album, its pages whispering stories from the past. Nestling beside Sebastian on the sofa, I made room for Gio, who sank down with a mixture of reluctance and intrigue. His grimace was almost reflexive as he gazed at the first photo.