Finding Beauty in the Darkness
His eyes lighten a bit as he laughs. “Gio? Does my older brother know you call him that?” This must be one of Gio’s brothers. “I’m Nico, the younger, more handsome brother.” He gives me a wink and I hear a growl. I look to my left and see Gio sit next to me while shooting daggers at his younger brother. He hands me my water and sets down his drink. It looks like some type of scotch.
Gio’s hand goes to my thigh and I jump a little from his touch. It’s been a while since I’ve had a man touch me possessively in a good way. Nico notices my actions and laughs harder. “Gio, what have you done to this woman? Making her jump like a scared little mouse.”
Gio glares at his brother. “It’s Giovanni, asshole. This is Aria.”
Nico’s eyebrows furrow like he’s deep in thought, then his eyes go wide when he finally figures out whatever it is that had him stumped. “Wait! Aren’t you the senator’s daughter?”
My body grows stiff and Gio’s hand on my thigh tightens. “She’s his ex-stepdaughter. It’s a long story. Leave it alone.” Gio’s voice is cold and menacing, leaving no room for argument. Nico nods his understanding and lets it go. We move into an awkward silence until the older man who was eyeing me a few minutes ago walks over with another older gentleman and introduces himself. “My name is Salvatore, Giovanni’s father, and this is Stefan, my business partner.”
Gio introduces me and I shake both their hands. The men talk business, but it’s all extremely vague. By the topics of their conversations, they own a couple clubs, hotels, and casinos, which I already knew, and it seems they all work together. The entire time they converse, Gio keeps his hand on my knee—his thumb rubbing circles into my skin, and surprisingly, it comforts me, making me feel a tad bid more at ease in this awkward situation.
I hear a door open and shut and in walks Cecilia, the bitch from a couple weeks ago. I’ve seen her in passing, but she’s made it a point to pretend I don’t exist. Works for me. The doorman takes her coat and she’s dressed just as beautifully as Gio’s mom in a light pink chiffon dress that stops just above her knees. Gio and I let out a groan at the same time. I look over at him and giggle. He looks down and graces me with the most panty-melting smile, then leans into me and murmurs, “I had no idea she was coming. I’m sorry.”
“You’re going to owe me big, like another movie-slash-jelly bean-slash-popcorn night big.” Gio groans again, only this time there’s laughter mixed in.
“Jellybeans?” We both turn to Nico, who’s smirking. “Did I hear you say jellybeans and popcorn? Did you get Gio to eat junk food and watch a movie?”
Before I can answer, Cecilia sits across from us, next to Stefan. She crosses her legs like the perfect lady she is, her back staying straight like she has a stick up her ass, and leans in for him to give her a kiss on her cheek. My eyebrows shoot up in curiosity and Gio leans toward me and whispers, “He’s her dad.” Damn, I thought maybe I would get to see some entertainment while here. Anything would help to liven up this gathering.
“What are we whispering about?” Cecilia asks, her tone still as snarky and stuck up as the last time we spoke.
“Well, Gio—” Nico begins, earning him a punch to his arm from behind me courtesy of Gio. “I’m sorry…” Nico cackles. “…big bro. I just didn’t know Gio was an option.”
“It’s not, so drop it.” Hmm…well, I’m going to keep calling him Gio.
“As I was saying, Giovanni has apparently been watching movies and eating junk food with Aria, here.” Nico says it mockingly, and it doesn’t surprise me that Gio doesn’t usually do that sort of stuff. He’s all business, and looking around at the way everyone is dressed and conversing, at the home décor, and the staff of butlers and servants, I can see this is all he knows.
“Is that so?” Gio’s mom walks over and stands next to Cecilia, with her hand on her shoulder and a fake smile plastered across her face. Cecilia’s dad is staring at me like I don’t belong and Gio’s dad is straight up glaring at me. I’m not sure why, but it seems as if some silent line has been drawn.
Chapter Thirteen
GIOVANNI
I should have known bringing Aria here would be a colossal mistake. On one side of the living room is my mom, Cecilia, Stefan, and my dad. On the other side is Aria, Nico, and me. I know when Aria feels the tension because her body stiffens, not for the first time tonight, and she tries to push my hand off her leg. I let her do it because I don’t want to argue with her here.