Twisted Bonds (The Camorra Chronicles 4)

He nodded. “Good. That would have hurt.”

We repeated the same simulation two more times.

“Let’s change things up. Turn around.” I did. Savio stepped very close so I could feel his breath on the back of my neck. “Nervous yet?”

“Not really.”

“Then let’s change that.” Savio startled me when he wrapped an arm around my waist, pressing his palm against my belly and pulling our bodies flush together. A choked sound burst from my lips. Squirming, I tried to free myself, but this position was definitely more challenging for me. “Think, Tiny. Focus on the present.”

Pushing through the fog of discomfort, I tried to kick his shin then ram my elbow into his side. I didn’t manage to free myself. At least, Savio didn’t seem unhappy with my progress.

“I think this is enough for today,” Savio said eventually, releasing me.

I wiped my sweaty, trembling hands on my gym shorts. “Thanks for being patient.”

Savio gave a one-shoulder shrug. “How about you show your gratefulness with a few delicious cupcakes?”

I grinned. “Red velvet dough is in the fridge.”

He looked surprised. “You’re starting to grow on me, Tiny.” His gaze focused on something behind me and I saw Nino heading our way. “Nino’s going to work with me in the cage now.”

Savio and I climbed out of the boxing ring when Nino arrived. He wrapped his arm around my hip and regarded me questioningly. “How did it go?”

“Good,” I said proudly.

“You’ll probably have to deliver tonight, Nino. I riled her up with my magical hands.”

I pressed my forehead against Nino’s chest as I laughed. “You’re impossible, Savio.”

“I’ve been called worse.” He nodded toward the cage. “I’ll go ahead and warm up while Nino makes sure I didn’t misbehave too much.” He sauntered off.

“You seemed to be taking Savio’s approach really well. Maybe I tackled your problem wrong,” Nino said.

“Savio was really patient, and his humor helped loosening me.”

Nino nodded. “Savio has a way with words and women.”

I huffed. “I don’t think he’d need to rely on whores if he bothered to use his charm on normal women.”

“Savio is lazy. He rarely bothers charming women, but when he does, his success rate is impressive. He could take over Stefano’s job without trouble.”

My lips curled, thinking of the Camorra’s romancer.

Nino kissed me. “It’s good to see you improve. You’ve come far.”

So have you.

“Hey lovebirds, I have a fight I need to win.”

Shaking his head, Nino led me over to the cage. Diego and Gemma had pulled up chairs and were waiting for the spectacle to begin. Nino followed Savio into the cage and I sat down beside Gemma, who gave me a curious look.

Diego, too, regarded me for a moment. I supposed by now they knew all the rumors. In the past it had always been my biggest fear that the truth about the rape would come out, that I’d be regarded as less because of it, but now I was glad everybody knew. It was freeing.

Savio and Nino assumed their fight positions. They both looked impressive with their focused expressions and tight muscles.

“Go!” Diego shouted.

Savio was the less-restrained fighter. He taunted and challenged Nino with words and his expressions. It didn’t make his kicks and punches any less focused. I mainly watched Nino, the eager look in his face, the way every muscle was conditioned in fight mode. It was a surprisingly even fight. I wasn’t sure if it was because Nino was holding back or because Savio had become an equally lethal fighter. I wasn’t familiar enough with fighting to tell, and they both weren’t giving one hundred percent because they couldn’t risk injuring Savio mere days before his cage fight.

I glanced at Gemma who leaned forward in her chair, arms propped up on her knees and lips parted as she followed the fight. I could tell that her focus was solely on Savio. It was obvious that she had a major crush on him, and it made me feel protective of her. Savio was an absolute womanizer and while I doubted he’d go for a girl that young, I worried she’d get hurt.

Noticing my attention, Gemma’s expression became less infatuated and she sat back in her chair, crossing her arms.

After training, Savio stayed back with Diego and Gemma while Nino and I drove home. In the car, I touched Nino’s thigh. “Gemma is head over heels for your brother.”

Nino slanted me a look before he returned his attention to the traffic. “And that worries you?”

“Yes. For Savio, girls are meaningless fun. She’s young and easily influenced.”

“You can’t protect everyone. I know you’re sensitive because of what happened, but Savio won’t make a move on the Bazzoli girl.”

“Because of her age.”

“That, and because Remo honors the traditionalists among our followers and the Bazzolis are as traditional as they come. Like the families in the Famiglia.”

I frowned. “Really? But Gemma is allowed to fight and she doesn’t seem very docile.”