Whispers in the Wind

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Giovanni’s POV…

The morning sun had risen higher, casting its golden light over the safe house and the surrounding countryside. The night’s tension had not entirely dissipated, but the daylight brought with it a sense of calm, a brief reprieve from the chaos that had dominated the last few days.

I found Zina already awake, seated at the small dining table, her posture poised yet her eyes alert, ever vigilant. She was dressed in the simple clothes I had left out for her—a stark contrast to the refined attire she usually wore. Yet, even in these modest garments, there was an undeniable grace to her that was hard to ignore. Her skin, a deep, rich shade of chocolate, seemed to glow in the morning light, and I couldn’t help but notice how lovely it looked, particularly under the sun’s gentle rays.

As I approached, something else caught my attention—her hair. It was no longer the sleek, straight style she had maintained since starting at Russo Corps. Today, her natural curls were on full display, cascading down her back in soft, voluminous waves. It was longer than I’d imagined, adding a softness to her that I hadn’t seen before.

“You look different today,” I remarked casually, joining her at the table.

Zina glanced up, her gaze briefly meeting mine before she looked away. “It’s just the hair,” she replied nonchalantly.

“No, it’s more than that,” I said, studying her closely. “Your natural curls suit you. It’s a beautiful change.”

There was a flicker of surprise in her eyes, quickly masked by her usual composure. “Thank you.”

I poured myself a cup of coffee, taking a sip as I considered how to navigate the day. The previous night had been intense, and I knew she needed a distraction—something to take her mind off the attacks and the uncertainty that now clouded her every move.

“We’re going out,” I announced suddenly, setting my cup down with a quiet clink.

She raised an eyebrow, her expression guarded. “Out? Where?”

“There’s a lake nearby. I thought we might go canoeing,” I said, watching for her reaction.

“Canoeing?” Her skepticism was palpable, but I could see a hint of curiosity behind it.

“It’s peaceful,” I explained. “And it will give us something else to focus on, other than the current situation. You might find it… therapeutic.”

She seemed to consider this for a moment before finally nodding. “Alright. Let’s go.”

The lake was a short drive from the safe house, nestled in the heart of the countryside. The water was still, the surface reflecting the clear blue sky above. I helped Zina into the canoe, ensuring she was seated comfortably before pushing us off from the shore. The wooden paddle felt familiar in my hands as I guided us through the calm water, the rhythmic motion soothing.

Zina sat quietly, her eyes taking in the serene surroundings. The sunlight danced across the water, and I noticed how it caught in her hair, highlighting the natural dark curls that framed her face. She looked almost ethereal, her dark skin glowing under the sun, the tension in her shoulders slowly easing as we drifted further from the shore.

“Do you do this often?” she asked, breaking the silence.

“Whenever I need to clear my mind,” I replied. “There’s something about the simplicity of it, the way the world narrows down to just the water and the sky. It helps me think.”

She nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. “I can see why.”

For a while, we simply floated, the only sounds coming from the gentle splash of the paddle and the distant calls of birds. It was a stark contrast to the chaos of the night before, a brief respite from the storm that had upended her life. Zina glanced at the water then back at me, a faint smile playing on her lips. “You have an interesting way of dealing with stress, Gio.”

“It works,” I replied, and handed her a paddle. “And I think you’ll find it’s a decent distraction.”

The canoe glided smoothly across the water, the only sound the gentle splash of the paddles as we moved. Zina was a quick learner, her strokes becoming more confident as we made our way toward the center of the lake.

“So,” I said after a while, breaking the comfortable silence, “how are you feeling?”

She glanced up at me, her eyes studying my face for a moment before she answered. “Better,” she admitted, her voice low. “The water’s...calming.”

I nodded, pleased that she was starting to relax. “It has that effect. There’s something about being out here, away from everything, that puts things into perspective.”

Her gaze drifted across the water, and I could see the tension slowly leaving her. She was stunning in the soft morning light, her usual guarded demeanor giving way to something more open, more vulnerable. It was in this moment that I found myself most drawn to her—the contrast between her strength and the softness she so rarely showed.

After a while, we reached a small, secluded cove where the water was even more still, surrounded by dense trees. I let the canoe drift, the paddles resting on the sides as I leaned back, letting the tranquility of the moment wash over us.

The kiss we shared in the penthouse was an intense rush, a blend of desire and hunger that had been lingering with me from the first time I met her.

The way she moves her tongue over her lips now only reignites that fierce craving. It’s as if every memory of that kiss has embedded itself in my mind, reminding me of how deeply I want her.

How so deeply I wanted to taste her sweetness again.

“I’m curious,” I said, breaking the silence. “What do you do when you’re not dealing with people trying to kill you?”

She looked at me, a hint of amusement in her eyes. “You mean in my free time?”

I nodded. “Yes, when you’re not playing the part of the mysterious woman with a dangerous past.”

She chuckled softly, a sound I hadn’t expected to hear. "I used to paint and play the piano," she admitted, her tone thoughtful. “It’s been a while since I’ve picked up a brush, though or set my fingers on black and white musical keys.”

“Painting,” I repeated, intrigued. “What kind of painting?”

“Abstract,” she replied. “It’s more about expressing emotions than creating something realistic. A way to channel everything I’m feeling into something tangible.”

"And the piano? What kind of music did you like playing?"

She brushed a stray strand of curl away from her eyes ever so delicately. "Nothing specific. Classical peaces, soothing notes and beats, and anything else that sounded beautiful in my ears"

I watched her closely, fascinated by this glimpse into her inner world. “You should start again,” I suggested. “It sounds like it was important to you.”

She shrugged, but there was a wistfulness in her eyes. “Maybe.”

We sat in silence for a few moments, the canoe gently rocking with the subtle movements of the water. I could feel the tension between us, the unspoken attraction that seemed to grow stronger with each passing minute. It was dangerous, this pull I felt toward her, but I couldn’t deny it.

“I don’t know much about you,” she said suddenly, her voice soft but probing.

I glanced at her, noting the subtle shift in her demeanor. She was trying to uncover something, just as I was. “What do you want to know?” I asked, keeping my tone light.

“Why you’re helping me,” she said, her gaze steady. "I'm just another one of your many employees," she pointed.

I paused, considering how much to reveal. “My motivations are multifaceted,” I said finally, my words measured, deliberate. “There are personal elements at play, as well as professional ones. But understand this, Zina—I do nothing without a calculated purpose.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn’t press further. Instead, she turned her attention back to the lake, her expression contemplative.

The s****l tension between us was there, humming quietly beneath the surface, but I didn’t push it. It was clear that Zina was still on edge, and now wasn’t the time to complicate things further. Instead, I focused on the task at hand—distracting her, keeping her safe, and perhaps, in time, uncovering the mystery that surrounded her.

As we paddled back to the shore, I found myself stealing glances at her, noting the way she seemed more at ease, the way her chocolate skin looked even more striking against the backdrop of the bright sky and calm water. There was something about her that drew me in, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on. But whatever it was, it was enough to keep me close, enough to make me want to unravel the secrets she kept hidden.

And as we stepped out of the canoe and back onto solid ground, I knew that this was only the beginning.