“This really isn’t necessary. I’m not interested in anyone other than—“
“Oh yes, it is,” I say, as the door shuts behind him, but wish I’d waited another second before cutting him off, knowing he was about to say my name.
But I’m not interested in hearing my name right now. I’m much more interested in Daddy calling me something else.
Something Italian.
Something no one has ever called me before.
Showtime.
5
Giovanni
I tap my foot audibly, making it clear I don’t want to be here.
“What? A little thing like you going to try and hold me hostage in this backroom?” I question.
If the lights weren’t as low as they are and she was shorter, I’d damn near mistake this girl for Gabriella. But no way in hell she grew four inches since lunch, nor would her dad ever allow her to work in a place like this. Nor would her Daddy.
Not only that, but I’d never mistake my angel for another woman, despite how similar this practically too young to be in here girl with the nurse’s outfit and the mask looks.
I wiggle the handle but the damn thing is locked.
“Look, I’m sure you’re a nice young lady and I don’t mean any offense, but I’m not interested. There’s only one girl for me in this world and one girl only.”
Nothing, she doesn’t move. Now I’m really getting annoyed.
“And this was my friend’s idea anyway.”
“That’s what they all say…Daddy” she counters.
My head spins taking my gaze from the door handle to the girl as she slowly pulls down the mask.
“Gabriella! What the fuck are you doing here?”
“I…I…,” but she can’t get the rest out.
“I just came here today, because of you.”
“Bull crap. You just said ‘that’s what they all say’, so you’ve clearly been working here for a while. If your dad finds out,” I grit my teeth. “Hell, that doesn’t ev
en matter. I know and I’m pissed.”
I grab her arm and yank her toward the door. “Let’s go. I’m taking you out of here.”
But when I turn back and see she’s trying to dig in her incredibly high heels, thus explaining the sudden growth spurt, I catch a look at her face and she looks down at my hand, grinning from ear to ear. “I like it when you’re angry…when you’re rough with me.”
“Oh, I’m gonna get rough with you, piccolina.”
“What? Are you going to walk me through the club on full display, without my mask, so every other man in here can see me, recognize me, and hold that over my head forever?”
She’s right, but I also know she’s playing two games at once. She knows I don’t want another man holding it above my head, having seen what’s mine.
“There’s gotta be a back entrance here somewhere.”
“Oh, I’ve got the back entrance you’re looking for.”