Ruthless Royalty, page 18
I nod slowly, understanding her fear. “Okay, I won’t say anything. But you deserve someone who sees you for who you are, not as someone’s little sister. You’re strong, beautiful, and anyone would be lucky to have you.”
Cat sniffles, giving me a small, grateful smile. “Thanks, Chiara. I just … I don’t know how to move on from this.”
I squeeze her hand, giving her a reassuring smile. “One step at a time. You’ll figure it out. And if you ever need to talk, you know where to find me.”
She nods, wiping the last of her tears away. “Thanks. I’m sorry for dumping all of this on you.”
I shake my head, smiling softly. “I should be the one apologizing since I’ve been such a shit friend. You’re not alone, okay?”
Cat smiles again, though it’s still shaky, and I give her one last hug before heading out the door. As I walk away, my mind is racing with everything she just told me. Nikolai and Cat … how could I have missed that? I need to find Nikolai. He’s got a lot to answer for.
Ifind Nikolai in the gym, exactly where Cat told me he’d be. The place smells like sweat and musk, the air thick with the sound of fists connecting with punching bags and weights clanging together.
Nikolai’s in the far corner, pummeling a bag like it’s the reason for every problem he’s ever had. He’s shirtless, muscles glistening with sweat, and the intensity in his eyes makes it clear he’s deep in his own head.
I hesitate at the edge of the room, not wanting to interrupt since we’re not exactly on speaking terms, but I know I don’t have a choice.
Giovanni’s been off since yesterday, and I need answers. I need to know what’s going on in his head, why he’s been so distant. I need to know what the hell his father is capable of.
And knowing how fucking stubborn he is, getting information from him would be like pulling teeth.
I take a deep breath and walk over, the sound of my footsteps swallowed by the noise of the gym. God, how am I going to talk to him about Cat and Gio?
Nikolai doesn’t notice me until I’m standing right in front of him. He stops mid-punch, his fists still raised, and his eyes meet mine. For a second, he just stares, and I can see the gears turning in his mind, trying to figure out why I’m here.
“Chiara,” he says, his voice low and a little surprised. “What are you doing here?”
I cross my arms over my chest, trying to keep my voice steady. “I need to talk to you. It’s about Gio.”
His expression darkens instantly, and he drops his fists, wiping sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. “What’s he done now?”
Right to thinking the worst of him.
“It’s not what he’s done,” I correct quickly, “it’s what’s happening to him. I think it’s his father.”
Nikolai’s jaw tightens, and I can see the muscles in his neck flex as he processes what I’m saying. He doesn’t say anything for a moment, just stares at me with those piercing eyes of his, like he’s trying to figure out how much I know, how much he should tell me.
“Let’s sit,” he finally says, grabbing a towel and throwing it over his shoulder as he leads me to a bench near the back of the gym. He doesn’t look at me as he sits down, and I can tell he’s not sure how much to say. But I don’t have time for him to second-guess himself.
“Alright,” he says, leaning with his back against the wall. “What’s going on?”
I take a deep breath, trying to find the right words.
“Gio’s been acting strange since yesterday,” I start, sitting down next to him. “He’s distant, distracted, and when I asked him what was going on, he just said it was his father not approving of us being together. He wouldn’t tell me more.”
Nikolai sighs, rubbing his temples like this conversation is already giving him a headache. “That’s because there’s not much more to say. Gio’s father is a piece of shit, always has been. He’s been fucking with Gio’s head for a long time.”
“He’s ruthless, and has been grooming G to take over the family business since he was a kid. But get this, he was never supposed to be the heir—his older brother Armand was. But when Armand couldn’t meet their father’s expectations, the old man had him killed. Giovanni was forced to step up, to become something he never wanted to be.”
My lips are a thin line as I think over what Nikolai has just said; my heart beating way too fast. If Giovanni’s father could kill his own son for stepping out of line, what could he do to Gio?
“He killed his own son because he couldn’t be as ruthless as him?” I ask, incredulously and shaking my head. “That’s fucked up.”
Nikolai’s jaw clenches. “Vito’s done a lot that’s kept Giovanni in check for a long time. He’s been trying to live up to the impossible standard his father set, and now he’s stuck in this cycle of proving himself.”
That … kind of explains why Gio is the way he is.
“Gio mentioned that his father was dangerous, that he wouldn’t let it go easily. What does that mean, Nikolai? What kind of danger are we talking about?”
“This is why I fucking asked if you knew what you were signing up for, Chiara,” Nikolai says, pinching the bridge of his nose and sighing. “Vito is used to getting what he wants, no matter who gets hurt in the process, and he’s not above using violence to get his way.”
I feel a cold chill run down my spine. I knew Giovanni had a powerful name, but this … this is something else entirely.
“That’s why he’s so angry,” I murmur. “He’s been fighting against it all his life.”
“Exactly,” Nikolai says, crossing his arms over his chest. “But here’s the thing, Chiara —Gio’s good at playing the game. He’s learned how to walk that world with knives in his back and he knows how to survive in it. But he’s never wanted to be a part of it, and now that you’re in the picture…”
He trails off, but I can see where he’s going with this. “His father sees me as a threat to his little kingdom.”
Nikolai nods. “Yeah. Gio’s father is all about control. He’s not going to let anyone—or anything—stand in the way of his plans for Giovanni. And if that means taking you out of the equation, he’ll do it.”
My heart sinks. I knew being with Giovanni wouldn’t be easy, but I didn’t realize just how deep this went. “How do I help him?”
Nikolai sighs, running a hand through his hair. “The best thing you can do is stay by his side. Don’t let him push you away, no matter how hard he tries. G’s stubborn as hell, but he needs you. He won’t admit it, but he does. And if his father tries to pull some shit, we’ll deal with it together.”
I swallow hard, trying to keep the fear at bay. “Can someone like him be stopped?”
Nikolai looks at me, his eyes hard. “You can’t stop him, Chiara. You can only stay out of his way.”
“Bullshit,” I snap, my anger flaring. “I’m not going to sit back and let that bastard hurt Gio. There has to be something we can do.”
Nikolai studies me for a moment, and I can tell he’s weighing his options. Finally, he sighs and leans back against the wall, running a hand through his hair.
“I’ll talk to my father,” he says reluctantly. “Maybe he can get through to Vito before this gets out of hand.”
“Would Dmitri do something about this? For someone like me?”
Nikolai raises an eyebrow. “Someone like you? You’re his stepdaughter, Chiara,” he says, amusement dancing in his eyes. “My father has some influence over Vito, or at least enough to make him think twice before doing something stupid. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s better than nothing.”
I nod, feeling a little more grounded now that I have some clarity. “Thank you, Nikolai,” I say, meaning it. “I know we haven’t exactly been on the best terms lately, but I appreciate you telling me all this.”
He gives me a half-smile, the kind that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Gio’s a pain in the ass, but he’s like a brother to me, Chiara.”
We sit there in silence for a moment, the weight of everything we’ve discussed replaying in my head like a stuck record.
It’s no wonder Gio is the way he is—cold, ruthless, always in control. He had to be, just to survive.
“You know, despite everything, Giovanni never broke,” Nikolai says, a note of pride in his voice. “He did what he had to do, but he never lost himself completely. And now, with you … I think he’s starting to see a way out. A way to be something more than just his father’s puppet.”
Tears sting my eyes, and I blink them back, not wanting to break down in front of Nikolai. But it’s hard, knowing what Gio’s been through, and knowing that I’m a part of the reason he’s in danger now.
When I get back to my Suite, I realize that I didn’t even ask him about Cat. I sit down on my bed, my mind racing. I think about everything Nikolai told me, about the darkness Giovanni has been carrying with him for so long. I think about the pressure, the expectations, the constant threat of violence.
I think about the look in Giovanni’s eyes when he told me he wouldn’t share me with anyone. The possessiveness, the raw need—it’s all part of the man he’s been forced to become.
But beneath all of that, I see the vulnerability, the part of him that just wants to be free. And I know that I want to be the one to help him find that freedom.
I grab my phone and send Giovanni a text.
We need to talk.
A few minutes later, he replies.
Where are you?
At my Suite. Come over when you can.
It doesn’t take long for him to show up. When I open the door, he’s standing there, looking as troubled as I’ve ever seen him. He steps inside without a word, and I close the door behind him.
“Gio,” I say softly, reaching out to touch his arm. “We need to talk about what’s going on.”
He looks at me, his eyes searching mine. “Chiara—”
“No,” I cut him off gently. “Don’t brush this off. I know something’s wrong, and I want to help. But I can’t do that if you keep shutting me out.”
He exhales slowly, running a hand through his hair. “It’s not that simple. There’s a lot you don’t understand.”
“Then help me understand,” I say, my voice firm. “I talked to Nikolai. He told me about your father … and what he did.”
Giovanni’s eyes darken at the mention of his father. “He had no fucking right to tell you anything. I didn’t want to drag you into this, Chiara,” he says, his voice low. “This is my fight, not yours.”
“But it is my fight,” I argue, stepping closer to him. “Because I chose you, Gio.”
He looks at me, and for a moment, I see a flicker of something in his eyes—relief, maybe. But it’s gone as quickly as it came, replaced by the hardened exterior he’s so good at putting up.
“Chiara,” he says, his voice rough. “If you stay with me, you’re putting yourself in danger. My father doesn’t care about anyone but himself. He’ll do whatever it takes to control me, and if that means hurting you, he’ll do it.”
I swallow hard. “I’m not afraid,” I say, even though part of me is. “I knew what I was getting into when I chose you.”
Giovanni looks at me; frustration and admiration in his eyes. “You’re too stubborn for your own good, you know that?”
I smile, though it’s a little shaky. “I’ve been told that before.”
As he holds me close, I feel the tension in his body start to ease, just a little. Giovanni’s father might be a monster, but he’s not unbeatable.
No one is.
GIOVANNI
“Pull up your dress, baby,”
Chiara’s eyes widen and she looks around the library, then she turns back to me, raising an eyebrow. “Are you insane?”
I shrug. “I want to eat you out before our free period is over, and I’m bored as fuck right now. So pull up your fucking dress.”
“No–”
“Kitten,” I breathe out, sliding my hand up her thigh, squeezing it. “Don’t make me ask you again.”
I watch as she bites her bottom lip and sighs. Then she pulls up her dress and I lean with my elbow on the desk, facing her.
“See? It’s so much easier for both of us when you don’t sass me,” I say and know she wants to say something, but I shut her up by squeezing her thigh and grinning when I slip underneath the desk.
Knowing Chiara, she’s freaking out and thinking someone can see us. But that’s half the fun of this, isn’t it?
“Hmm, I always seem to go down on my knees for you in the library,” I say, remembering the Day of Silence when she gave into me so easily. I run my hands over her thighs and get to the waistband of her panties. “Lift up, baby.”
She obeys without a second thought, and I slip off her red lace panties before putting them in my back pocket. I peer up at her from underneath the desk and grin at how she’s blushing.
Then I spread her thighs and lick my lips, grinning at how she’s already glistening for me.
“My little slut, you’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” I murmur, slipping a finger inside of her and biting back a groan. Fuck, she isn’t just glistening, she’s soaked.
I pull my finger out, spread her pussy lips and run my signet ring over her clit. She shudders, and I see her bite her bottom lip to stop herself from moaning.
Good. No one else is supposed to hear her.
Running tight circles over her clit with my ring, I wait until she wants to close her legs before I lean forward and flatten my tongue against her slit. She gasps and I feel her fingers in my hair, pulling it hard.
I can’t help but grin against her cunt as I spread her legs and eat her out, because I know I’ve pushed her out of her comfort zone. Good, I know what she’s capable of and sometimes she needs that push.
“Gio…” she gasps after a while, her hold on my hair tightening and I peer up at her. “I’m gonna—”
She doesn’t finish that line and tries to close her legs, but I’m gripping her too hard; my fingers digging into the soft skin of her upper thighs. A moan slips out of her mouth and she slaps a hand over her mouth before she starts trembling in her seat.
I push two fingers inside of her and sit back, letting her ride out her orgasm on my fingers. Then, with my fingers still inside of her, I slip back into my chair; her pussy still fluttering around my digits.
“Good girl,” I whisper and pull my fingers out, licking them clean. Her face is red, and she looks completely pissed off with me.
“What the hell was that?!” she exclaims as quietly as possible, her eyes flitting across the room, but there’s still no one in here with us. “Someone could have seen us!”
“That’s half the fun, baby,” I say with a smirk, leaning back and crossing my arms. “Besides, I had the library cleared out after we got here, anyway. Why do you think I was on my phone so much?”
The look of disbelief on her face is fucking priceless.
Iwatch Chiara walk to her next class, the memory of her lips still lingering on mine. There’s something in the way she moves, a confidence that wasn’t there before.
I came clean about everything to her; about Armand, my father, and how he’s sold off every daughter he’s ever had. She was shocked, of course, who wouldn’t be? But she still didn’t flinch; she still wants to be with me.
And fuck if that doesn’t make me feel like I’ve already won.
Just as I’m about to head inside, I catch a glimpse of Leo standing a few feet away, his jaw clenched tight, eyes narrowed. He looks like a ticking time bomb, ready to explode, and I know exactly why.
He’s been stewing ever since Chiara and I got together, and I’ve been waiting for him to finally grow a pair and confront me about it. Seems like today’s the day.
He blocks my path, and for a second, we just stare at each other, the tension between us thick enough to cut with a knife. I can see the accusation in his eyes, the way he’s already decided I’m the villain in his little story.
“Giovanni,” he says, his voice tight with barely controlled anger. “We need to talk.”
I raise an eyebrow, crossing my arms over my chest as I look him up and down. “Do we?” I reply casually, like I’m greeting an old friend instead of a guy who looks like he’s about to throw a punch.
“Don’t play dumb,” he snaps, eyes burning with the kind of fury only a man in love can muster. Cute. “You’re forcing her into this, manipulating her. She doesn’t belong with you. You’re fucking dangerous, and she’s too good for you.”
I almost laugh at that, but I manage to keep it in. Instead, I give him a slow, lazy grin, the kind that I know pisses him off. I’m certainly not about to let some pretty boy try to intimidate me.
“You sure about that, Leo? Because when she was riding my dick last night, she didn’t look forced.”
Leo’s face flushes with anger, his fists clenching at his sides. “She’s confused and fucking scared. I know you and your type; you take advantage of the weak. You’re twisting her around your little finger, making her think she has no choice.”
The words hit me, not because they’re true, but because they reveal just how deeply this idiot thinks he knows Chiara. I take a step closer, my smirk fading as I let my true feelings show.
“Listen, Volkov. I don’t give a fuck what you think you know about Chiara. But thinking I’m taking advantage of her? That’s honestly so fucking laughable, it’s pathetic.”
He doesn’t back down, his eyes flashing with determination. “I’m not going to let you hurt her, Giovanni. She deserves better.”
“Better?” I scoff, shaking my head. “And you think you’re that ‘better,’ huh? You’re delusional if you believe that she wants someone like you over what she has with me. We both know you couldn’t handle her even if she gave you the time of day.”
“She’s not yours, Gio,” he says, his voice low and dangerous. “You’re going to leave her alone, or so help me—”
“Or what?” I cut him off, my voice dropping to match his tone. I close the distance between us until we’re practically nose to nose. “What exactly do you think you’re going to do? Fight me? Go after my family? I’d love to see you try.”
