Chapter Twenty-nine

LUNA

The next day, a package showed up at my house, and my heart jumped in my chest when I saw the Italian name written in clean cursive. I sat on the floor of my new apartment and tore open the package. My jaw dropped in shock and pleasant surprise when I pulled out the very same lingerie that I had almost bought at the store yesterday. It had come with a bouquet of a dozen red roses. I brought them to my nose and smelled them. The sweet smell calmed my spirits.

There was also a note attached, and a box of chocolates. I began to eat the chocolates while reading the note. He was asking me out on a date. And he was sending a car to pick me up. And if I didn’t want to come, I was to simply send the car back. I sighed and dropped the note.

One thing was certain if I honored the invite, I was giving Giovanni a nod to fully on pursuing me. But wasn’t that what I wanted?

But was it?

I might have developed feelings for him. I am mature enough to admit that to myself. But what was holding me back?

A picture of Viper at Giovanni’s office popped into my head, and I shot my eyes and took calming breaths. When I opened them, I saw that I had clenched my fists, and squished some of the chocolates.

What was Giovanni’s business with Viper? He hadn’t told me. Doubted he will ever tell me. Unless…we got together.

I furrowed my brows, and an evil plan began to form in my head. And the more time I thought about it, the more sinister my smile got.

All my life, I had been the one doing the running, what if this time? Just this once, it was me who did the chasing. And killed Viper. Giovanni had all the connections, the money, and most of all the protection I needed to get the job done.

I grabbed the pink diamond dangling from my neck and rubbed it. I wanted vengeance for my father. I resumed eating the chocolate. My mind was made up.

The car arrived some minutes before the tenth hour, and I took one last look at myself before picking up my purse and stepping out. I got into the black SUV, and he drove to a five-star restaurant. Leading me to the top of the building. Roof-top dining. I smirked at the memories of the first and last time I and Giovanni went out on a date.

“What’s funny?” Giovanni stood from his seat. And pecked me on the cheek, his hands on my waist drawing me closer.

“Nothing serious. Just remember the last time that we had roof-top dining.” He threw his head back and groaned.

“You don’t need to worry about that. That incident wouldn’t be repeating itself, trust me.”

“I trust you.” I had just said that as a reflex answer, but the way he was looking at me told me his brain didn’t interpret it as such.

“You look beautiful, Luna.” He said, pulling out my chair for me.

“Thank you. You don’t look bad yourself.” I had opted for the gown I bought at the same shop yesterday and then threw my hair up in a high bun. Leaving my cleavage and parts of my back visible.

“Why, thank you for the kind words. I do clean up nicely, don’t you think?” I shrugged and smiled at him. I liked this side of him. I looked around and saw that other tables were absent. I knew he had something to do with that. This was one of the best in the city, there was no reason for the rooftop to be empty.

“I wanted to have you all to myself.”

“Hm?” He waved his hand at the space.

“I didn’t want any interruptions. Not even from my people.” I looked around and noticed that not even his guards were close. The only person I could see was the waiter standing at the far end.

“Oh!”

“Yes.”

“It’s just a date.”

“Not to me, bellisima. Not to me.” He waved the waiter over.

“What do you want to eat?” I picked up the menu and began to go through it. I shrugged and decided on pasta with alfredo sauce. And roasted chicken. I looked up to see Giovanni looking at me with a strange look on his face.

“What?”

“You spent the better part of twenty minutes looking at the menu, only for you to settle for pasta with alfredo sauce?” I shrugged.

“Yes.” Giovanni placed his order and asked the waiter to get us their finest white wine. The waiter returned some minutes later with three bottles of wine and dropped them on our table.

“You can leave. I’ll do that.” Giovanni took the wine bottle from the waiter as he was about to open it and waved him off. He didn’t need to be told twice.

He poured wine into our glasses. And replaced the lid on the bottle. I picked up my glass and took a sip of the good product.

“Good?” I nodded.

“Great.” We both sat in silence, drinking wine, and somewhat ignoring the conversation that was to be had. By the time the wine in our glasses finished, the excuses finished too.

“So, Giovanni…what did you bring me here for?” He poured some more wine into our glasses, and I lifted it to my lips again.

“I wanted to see you.”

“Why?”

“Because…I’ve missed you.” He looked at me with eyes of molten chocolate, and I bit my lip.

“Why would you miss me? I’m just the one-night stand that got pregnant. And then you tracked her down and kidnapped, and locked her up in a mansion…”

“We both know you’re much more than that, Luna. You wouldn’t be here if you didn’t think so.”

“I came here for the good food. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I made my best puppy eye and pouted my lips. Though the look on his face told me that the act wasn’t bought.

“Luna…”

“Giovanni.” He growled lowly.

“I like the way you say my name.”

“Don’t get distracted.” I smirked at him “Why am I here? Why are you here?”

“Because…we are mates.” I gulped. I already suspected, but hearing him confirm it seemed like a seal was put on it.

“Oh.”

“That’s all you have to say?”

“What do you want me to say?”

“I don’t know. Something. Anything.”

“Okay. Did you know that we were mates when you kidnapped me back in Mexico?”

“No. I just thought that it was because you were carrying my child, and that was why my wolf was acting up. Getting more protective.”

“Ah. So, what changed between then and now?”

“Now, I am sure of what I feel. We are mates.”

“But…you can’t be for sure. I don’t think I feel anything.”

“Stop lying to yourself, Luna.”

“What? I don’t feel anything.” He sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

“So, you didn’t think of me more when we were apart?”

“I think we should have this discussion after food.”