Chapter 33 Behind Closed Doors
I walked back into the reception venue with Jasmine at my side, feeling more composed than when I’d fled to the bathroom.
My eyes immediately scanned the room, searching for Giovanni's imposing figure among the scattered guests.
He wasn't there, neither was Enzo.
"Looking for your husband?" Jasmine asked, her tone was teasing.
"Just... trying to orient myself," I lied. But the truth was, Giovanni's absence made me nervous.
When I could see him, I could anticipate his moves but when he disappeared, anything could happen.
"They're probably talking business," Jasmine said, as if reading my mind. "The men always slip away during events like this. It drives me crazy, honestly. Enzo promised he'd stay close today."
I forced a smile. "I'm sure they'll be back soon."
"We'll be right over there if you need us," Jasmine said, gesturing toward a small seating area where a few other guests had gathered. "Don't hesitate to come find me if things get overwhelming again."
"Thank you," I said genuinely. "Really. You've been so kind."
Jasmine squeezed my hand once before walking away, leaving me alone in the center of the reception hall.
I stood there for a moment, feeling uncertain. Then I made a decision.
If Giovanni was conducting business at his own wedding then I deserved to know what was being said.
I grabbed a champagne flute from a passing waiter, using it as cover as I drifted toward the back of the venue. I smiled at guests who looked my way, played the part of the blushing bride getting a drink, and slowly made my way toward the private rooms beyond the main hall.
The corridor was dimmer, and my heels clicked softly against the marble floor as I moved deeper into the hotel's private wing.
Then I heard it, Giovanni's voice, it was muffled but distinct, coming from behind a partially closed door.
My heart jumped into my throat. I knew I shouldn't be doing this. But my feet carried me forward anyway, drawn by the need to understand what he was planning.
I pressed myself against the wall beside the door and peered through the narrow crack between the door and its frame.
Giovanni stood with his back partially to me, his jacket removed, and his sleeves rolled up. Alessio was there too, along with Enzo and several guards I didn't recognize.
They were gathered around a table covered with documents and what looked like blueprints.
“…and how is Robert handling the negotiation?" Giovanni was saying, his voice was businesslike.
"He’s on quicker than we thought," Alessio replied.
"Good." Giovanni's fingers drummed against the table. "And your father? Is he satisfied with his cut?"
"More than satisfied. Twenty-five percent for the wedding information was generous, even by our standards."
"What about the girl?" one of the guards asked. "Does she know anything about her father's operations?"
"She doesn't need to know anything," Giovanni said dismissively. "She's leverage, nothing more. As long as Robert believes I'll keep her safe and compliant, he'll continue making mistakes. Desperate men always do."
My breath caught at the harshness in his words but also what they were saying. They were talking about my father and business negotiations.
I needed to leave and get away from this before-
The door swung open violently.
A massive guard stood there, his hand still on the handle, his eyes narrowed as he looked down at me.
My champagne flute nearly slipped from my fingers.
"Well, well," the guard said, his voice carrying into the room. "Look what I found."
Before Icould even think about running, his hand closed around my arm snd he pulled me into the room.
The door clicked shut behind me and my stomach dropped.
Everyone turned to stare at me. Enzo's eyes went wide with something like horror. Alessio looked amused. The other guards shifted uncomfortably.
And Giovanni… his expression was absolutely murderous.
"Gentlemen," he said, clearing his throat. "If you'll excuse us."
Alessio chuckled, already moving toward the door. "With all pleasure. I'm not going to stand between you two." He paused as he passed me, leaning in to whisper, "Good luck."
The guards filed out quickly, clearly eager to escape whatever was about to happen.
Enzo lingered, his eyes meeting mine with obvious concern. He moved closer as if to say something, but Giovanni's glare stopped him in his tracks.
"Enzo," Giovanni said softly..
Enzo opened his mouth, then closed it. He passed me, pausing just long enough to whisper, "Don't get him too mad."
Then he was gone, and the door closed, leaving me alone with my husband.
The silence was suffocating.
I stood there, my chin lifted in defiance even as my heart hammered against my ribs. Giovanni stared at me, accessing closely.
"What did you hear?" he asked finally.
"Nothing," I said, proud of how steady my voice sounded.
"Don't lie to me." He took a step toward me. "What. Did. You. Hear?"
"I said nothing." I held my ground, keeping my eyes fixed on his “I was just looking for the bathroom but I got lost."
"You were eavesdropping." He snapped .
I rolled my eyes, correcting. "I was lost."
"Arya-"
"I didn't hear anything!" The words came out sharper than I intended, “I don't know anything whatever schemes you're cooking up against my father. So you
can stop interrogating me like I'm some kind of spy."
Giovanni moved faster than I’d anticipated. One moment he was across the room, the next he was right in front of me, his hand wrapping around my throat.
I
scoffed. “This is getting boring,” I hissed, pointing at his hand around my neck.
"Don't," he growled, "play games with me. Not today. Not ever."
His other hand slid down me side, tracing the curve of her waist through the wedding dress.
I gasped when his fingers found the hem of the gown and slipped beneath it, traveling up my thigh with deliberate slowness.
"What are you-“ I started, but the words died in my throat as his fingers reached higher, then they brushed against the thin fabric of my panties.
Arousal flooded through me, pooling low in my belly. I was aching there, throbbing despite the fact that I should be fighting him off instead of trembling under his touch.
His fingers pressed against my soaked center, and I gasped.
"We're leaving in ten minutes," he said, his lips close to my ear. “Get yourself together."
Then he released my abruptly and turned toward the door, leaving me stumbling slightly, and my mind reeling.
"Wait," I sputtered, my voice coming out strangled. "Leaving? Where… where are we going?"Giovanni paused at the door, his hand on the handle. He glanced back at me over his shoulder, and the smirk on his face was absolutely predatory.
"Our honeymoon, sweetheart," he said. "Did you forget? Newly married couples always take honeymoons."
He walked out of the room before I could say a word and the dread settled in my stomach.
This was it. The moment I had been
dreading since I’d first realized what this marriage would mean.
I pressed my hands against my face and tried very hard not to scream.