More Than A Bet

Chapter 7

GIOVANNI

"Get away from her!" my voice cracked through

the alley.

The guy turned away from her, startled. “Who the hell…”

The guy barely had time to react before I slammed into him, my fist connected with his jaw, he stumbled backwards and the pocketknife in his hand clattered against the bricks.

He tried to lunge at me but l was faster, I shoved him down hard and he scrambled reaching for the knife but I kicked it away before his fingers could reach it and I stepped on his fingers with my shoes, the sound of metal skidding across the wall and his screams echoed across the alley.

I leaned down towards him, gripped his shirt, and his body completely froze, “ You don't get any weapons.” I grabbed him again and slammed him into the dumpster, the impact knocked the breath out him.

I held him by his throat, slammed him against the brick wall and drove my knee into his stomach, the air whooshed out with him in a bloody cough.

"You have two seconds to disappear," I hissed, my face a few inches from his. "If you ever go near her, near her apartment, and even as much breath near her again, I will make sure they never find what's left of you. Do you understand?"

He nodded frantically, and as soon as l released my grip, he bolted, his footsteps echoing frantically down the passage.

I rushed up to Adina, she was still pressed against the wall, arms wrapped around herself and her eyes were wide and glassy.

"Hey" I whispered, softly, but my chest was still heaving.

She didn’t move.

"Adina, look at me.” I reached out, my hand hovering around her face.

“Did he hurt you? Did he touch you anywhere else?"

She did speak, she just shook her head, her eyes fixed on my knuckles which were bleeding.

“ Come on, " I said, my hand sliding under her elbow to steady her. "You’re shaking like, let get you out of here"

“I can walk, " She whispered, but her knees buckled halfway through the sentence.

“ Like f**k you can.”

“Before she could argue I slid one arm behind her back, the other under her knees, and lifted her like she weighed nothing.

Her body stiffened in my hold but she didn’t fight me. I carried her to the car, opened the passenger door, eased her down and shut the door with a heavy thud.I slid behind the wheel, started the car and drove away slowly.

Silence stretched between us for some minutes.

Finally Adina spoke, her voice small. " You didn’t have to do that.”

"Yeah I do"

She stared down at her fingers. "I could've..."

"Adina you were f*****g pinned to a wall with a knife at your throat. Don't bullshit me right now”

She swallowed hard. "Lucas has never .... he's never attacked me like this or pulled a knife before."

My knuckles whitened on the steering wheel, and fresh blood smeared across them but I cared less about them. "Well then he picked the wrong night to graduate.”

Another minute of silence passed, and Adima glanced sideways at me. "Your hands, you're bleeding.

I flexed my fingers, shrugging, I winced a little but the pain was worth it. “He’s worse.”

“ That doesn't make it better.”

I smirked faintly. “ You're worried about me now?”

She looked away.” Don't get used to it.”

“ You shouldn't be walking alone at night, Adina,” I said softly.

“I’ve been doing it for years now.”

“That doesn't make it smart. Who knows what would happen to you, if I hadn't stubbornly followed you and heard you screaming.” I said, my low and rough.

Silence hits between us once again.

We reached her building, and I killed the engine but didn’t move to go out.

"You don't have to walk me up,” she said

“ I'm walking you up Adina"

“ Giovanni....

“ Adina" I turned to face her fully. "I'm not leaving you at the curb like this. Not tonight."

“Fine,” she muttered.

I got out of the car, turned around and opened the door for her, when she stepped onto the sidewalk her legs wobbled again but I caught her elbow, gently but firm. She let me help her all the way up the stairs.

At the door she pulled her keys out with trembling fingers, I waited in silence as she unlocked the door, pushed it open and then turned.

"Thank you," she said "For... tonight.”

I nodded.

She turned to step inside.

"Adina."

She paused

I took a step closer to her." You don't have to do everything alone, at least not everytime.”

"Don't,” her voice cracked. “Don't start acting like this changes anything, like one fight in the alley suddenly makes you a good guy."

My brow drew together. "I never said…”

"You think I'm going to fall into your arms now? Cry on your shoulder? Let you play saviour so you can add me to the list ? She laughed, short and bitter.

"This doesn't make us friends “Maluetti, I still know exactly who you are."

My body went still for a few seconds. I exhaled through my nose. "Noted."

She stepped inside."Good night, Govanni" and she closed the door with a soft click.

I stood there for another second staring at the doorframe. I walked back to my car, sat in the driver seat with both hands on the steering wheel but I didn't start the car yet.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone, dialing a number. "It's me, Giovanni" I said, voice cold. "I need everything you could find on a guy named Lucas, basement Apartment 50 blocks from the diner where Adina works.”