Chapter 21: Chapter Twenty One

*Gabriela*

I felt like a fool.

I practically threw myself at him last night. What the hell was I thinking? But he hasn’t turned me away. I remembered every detail that my cheeks wouldn’t stop burning every time I remembered what he did to me. I was a little afraid, however, that he was going to change his mind about us.

I woke up with him already gone. Is it still considered a walk of shame if we didn’t actually go all the way? I still felt him everywhere on my body and a part of me didn’t want to wash it away as I got into the shower.

While my mind was filled with memories of last night the rest of the household was getting up and ready for the day. I wanted to go into town today, but I wasn’t sure if I was allowed too. It was strange. I’m a prisoner, yet I’m not. I knew both Enzo and Domenico would immediately reject the idea, but I wondered if maybe I could convince Papi Gio?

He never could refuse me anything. It was worth a try.

After getting cleaned and dressed I head downstairs to find everyone already at the table. I flush when all eyes turn to me.

“Good morning.” I quickly say as I take my seat next to Sabrina, who happily beams at me.

“Morning. Any plans today?” Giovanni asks me as he takes a bite of his food.

Here it was, the moment of truth. “Actually, I was thinking about heading into town today-”

“Absolutely not.” Domenico nearly shouts out incredulously.

Instant anger spears through me as I stare at him, ready to shoot my mouth off to demand on what gives him the right to tell me what I can and can’t do when Enzo beats me to it.

“Dom, shut up. Is there a particular reason you’re going?” He looks to me with furrowed brows.

“Not that it’s anyone’s else business, but I would like to visit an old friend of mine. I haven’t seen them since my mother’s funeral. She would be happy to know that I was back in town.” I admit grudgingly.

Enzo slowly chews his food while the others just curiously look back and forth between us. Even Papi Gio looked interested on the conversation without putting any input on the situation. I think he was curious on how we were going to handle it ourselves.

“You can’t possibly be thinking about letting her go, Enzo.”

Domenico looked completely appalled as he stared at his cousin. When he doesn’t get any response he slams his utensils on the table, gaining a few jumps in the process for how loud it was.

“She’s still a hostage remember. It’s risky to let other people see her and know that she’s here. They could give us away if her father decided to look here since he knows Nonno lives here. Besides, the more people who know, the more danger they’ll all be in.” He snaps.

I can’t say I didn’t think of that. So am I expected to just sit around here all day and night and do absolutely nothing? For how long exactly? A couple of days? Weeks? Months? I loved it here it was true, but I’ll go completely insane if I was cooped up here every single day.

Enzo sighs and looks to me again. “Unfortunately, he’s right. It’s too dangerous.”

I scoff at him. “You can’t seriously expect me to stay here the entire time.”

“You were kidnapped sweetheart, that’s the point.” Domenico sassed at me just to get hit twice by his grandfather and Maria who was sitting on his other side.

“Ow! What the hell?! It’s true!” He rubs the back of his head where they had whacked him good.

“Boy, you’re starting to get on my nerves on how you talk to her. You better start watching your tongue.” Giovanni growls angrily at him.

“Maybe your friend can come visit here instead?” Orlando inquires as he became fascinated with the conversation.

“Still an issue of them knowing she’s here.” Charlie informs as he casually keeps eating like this was an everyday thing he was used to.

Dealing with these two, I’m sure he was. Hell, maybe even with worst things. Enzo pushes his plate away and sighs.

“I need to make a few phones calls. In the meantime, Gabby…” He looks to me as he stands up to leave.

A small heat flutters in my stomach as his gaze penetrates me to my core. I wasn’t sure if he was thinking about last night, but I sure as hell was. This was so not the time or place to be thinking about what that tongue of his had done to my body. Heat rushes to my neck and cheeks and I didn’t miss the glint in his eyes nor the tiniest smirk gracing his lips at my reaction.

“Just for today, please stay on the property. We’ll figure out all the other things later.”

Irritation replaces the flutters at hearing him say that, but what could I do? I was truly stuck as a prisoner after all. I couldn’t help but blame Ivy for this. Why did she always have to string men along where they fall so helplessly like a lovesick fool? Playing with their hearts and playing mind games to give her whatever she wanted. Then when they got too clingy or too serious she lets them go at a drop of a hat with no remorse or shame.

And because of it, I was the one that got stuck with the repercussions of her wrongdoings. Domenico didn’t have to kidnap me, or well her, just to show his undying love. But that’s what she does, she drives them insane to where they don’t act like themselves.

She was probably laughing her ass off right now knowing what had occurred. Because I knew my father wouldn’t be quiet about this to his wife. And of course Elena was going to tell her daughter everything. They always loved to make me the butt of the joke.

But if they only knew who I was actually with, they both wouldn’t be laughing then. Because as I heard it, through the gossip of course, Ivy had been after Enzo for quite some time. Of course, I didn’t think it was my Enzo, but now I know for a fact that it was.

To see her face when she discovered that would all be worth it. But at the moment I was stuck in this place for the time being. And until he figures whatever it was he needed to figure out, there was nothing I could do about it.

Because I wasn’t going to do anything that would get my father to come here faster. Domenico wasn’t aware of it, but I hated my father just as much as the Giordano’s did. So for now, I’ll stay put.

For now.