MILLIE
Later, as the soft embrace of our shared bed held us both, a thought occurred to me. I turned to Gio, my body nestled against his, and posed a question that had been lingering in my mind, “Do you think you would have realized if I hadn’t confessed that I was a virgin?”
Gio’s reaction was a mix of surprise and amusement, his gaze fixed on me. “It would have been quite hard to miss.”
A playful notion entered my mind, “Maybe I could have somehow concealed it.”
He responded with a kiss on my neck, a chuckle escaping his lips. “No way. Trust me.” Drawing back slightly, his gray eyes locked onto mine, searching for something. “But why are you even asking something like that?”
I hesitated, torn between my own curiosity and the knowledge I held about Harper’s secret. She was adamant about keeping it hidden, and if I confided in Gio, there was a risk he might accidentally reveal it. The mere thought of Harper’s fury if Sebastian discovered the truth because of me was enough to give me pause. Though, deep down, I doubted Harper could keep something like this hidden from him, and Gio’s response only reinforced that suspicion.
A knowing laugh escaped Gio, an indication that he had pieced things together himself. He had always been exceptionally perceptive, an expert in deciphering people’s thoughts and emotions. “Harper?” he inquired, his voice tinged with playful realization.
Avoiding his gaze, I sought a way to divert Gio’s attention from the subject. But his proximity made it difficult to think clearly.
Leaning in closer, a faint grin playing on his lips, he prodded further, “Don’t tell me she spent all that time away and didn’t have any fun.”
Nestling against him, I frowned, feeling the need to defend Harper despite the complexity of her character. “She’s not as reckless as you make her out to be, despite her demeanor.”
Gio’s suppressed laughter reverberated through his body, a sound that never failed to send a pleasant shiver down my spine. Few were privileged to hear that particular laugh.
His eyes danced with amusement as he pressed on, his face drawing nearer, “Are you seriously telling me she’s still a virgin?”
With a glance at the alarm clock on the nightstand, I noted that two hours had passed since I had last seen her. I amended my response, “She was. I can’t say for sure about the present.”
Gio’s laughter resurfaced, leaving me wondering about the source of his amusement. “Sebastian is in for a surprise. This is going to be priceless.”
I playfully swatted his chest. “Come on, be serious. I’m worried he might hurt her.”
“Of course he will,” Gio mused, a trace of humor in his voice. “He’s been waiting for months, and tonight he finally gets what he wants. If Harper doesn’t let him know he’s her first, he’ll treat her like any other woman.”
His attempt to console me wasn’t exactly successful. I couldn’t shake off the concern that Harper hadn’t divulged the truth to Sebastian, leaving him unaware of her situation.
“What was the point of all her running, if she didn’t even enjoy herself? Leave it to your sister to turn everything upside down.”
I had pondered the same question myself. Harper’s eagerness to escape, to assert her independence, and break free from the chains of an arranged marriage had led her to this point. Yet, in the end, what had she truly gained? Perhaps she should have considered embracing the reality of her impending marriage to Sebastian from the beginning. My wariness of Sebastian was justified, but I couldn’t help but wonder if he would have tried to win her over, had she approached the situation differently. My certainty wavered. “If I had done what Harper did, how would you have reacted?”
Gio’s countenance grew shadowed, a play of emotions veiled behind a carefully composed facade. His gaze fell upon me, bearing a weight that indicated dire news. A gentle touch shifted the strap of my nightgown from my shoulder, his lips pressing a kiss upon the exposed skin. His voice, a mixture of fondness and possessiveness, resonated in my ear, “You haven’t, have you?”
As his words lingered, I could discern the intensity of his emotions, even though he withheld their full force from my view. This revelation was undoubtedly grave. The warmth of his lips on my shoulder was both a comfort and a reminder of his possessive nature, an aspect of him that alternately thrilled and exasperated me. Given his position as the Capo, possessiveness was an anticipated trait. He held dominion over the East Coast, a ruler of countless men, exerting control over both his subordinates and his territory. It was only natural that he sought to claim me as his own, to assert his authority over me. Struggling to establish a dynamic of equality and shared reliance rather than blind obedience was a battle I had yet to fully win, but progress was being made.
Though his possessiveness rankled me, what frustrated me more was his evasion of my question. His tongue traced a path over my skin, distracting and entrancing, yet I resolved not to be sidetracked this time.
Concerns about my sister’s welfare gnawed at my thoughts, and I yearned for Gio’s insight. His response, however, was far from serious; his lips continued their seductive journey up to my collarbone. Frustration simmered within me as his actions worked to divert my focus.
With a determined motion, I straightened, causing Gio to halt his kisses, and granting me a vantage point slightly above him. He reclined against the bed, his demeanor relaxed, an anticipation of change glinting in his eyes. Seizing this moment, I expressed my desire for purpose beyond the confines of our home, a longing to contribute meaningfully.
Gio’s brows knitted in contemplation, a subtle questioning in his gaze. “You are valuable to me,” he affirmed.
Seeking clarification, I challenged his assertion. “In what way?”
A smirk tugged at the corner of Gio’s lips, a gesture that ignited a spark of irritation within me. Determined to convey my resolve, I slipped from his embrace and stood, securing my bathrobe. “Despite your assumptions,” I muttered as I reached for the robe’s fabric, “my existence doesn’t solely revolve around being ornamental or warming your bed.”
His reaction was swift, agile as he swung his legs off the bed, assuming a sitting position. His arm enveloped my waist, pulling me back against him. Resistance stirred within me, yet his strength proved unyielding. Pressed against him, I met his tense gaze, refusing to soften in his embrace. I needed him to comprehend the gravity of my sentiments. Since Harper’s departure, introspection had consumed me, and a realization had blossomed-I would descend into despondency if I remained secluded within the penthouse.
“Millie,” his voice conveyed a blend of assertion and tenderness, “you are my wife. When you wed me, you understood that your choices would be confined. This existence, it’s akin to a gilded cage. Protection from the Bratva and other threats is paramount.”
Contemplating my words carefully, I addressed his concerns. “Attending college wouldn’t amplify the danger, Gio. The campus won’t become a battleground for the Bratva. What you truly mean is that you prefer to have me away from the company of others, particularly men.”
A subtle shift in Gio’s expression revealed a mix of emotions-agreement, acknowledgment, and a measure of vulnerability. “Yes,” he admitted in a hushed tone, “I don’t trust other men around you. Any man with eyes would be drawn to you. Your beauty is striking.”
His praise failed to mollify me; such words had been a constant throughout my life, a reminder of my defining attribute. It had been the reason for my union with Gio. “I’m often in the company of Dario, Gabriele, and others,” I countered.
“They are under my command, aware of the consequences of trespassing on what is mine,” he growled, a flicker of menace in his eyes. “They would never dare cast an inappropriate glance your way. But outsiders, they are unbound by our rules. I would deal with them as I would with my men, but only after they’ve crossed the line, unaware of who you are. They might dare to approach you.”