Love in the Storm

Chapter 11

Gio

I couldn’t sleep no matter what I did. I have been tossing and turning for the last 2 hours. I need her but, will she think I am being too forward? I had to take that chance. I got out of bed, wearing nothing but my boxer shorts, grabbing some lounge shorts before I left my room to go to hers.

‘Tap! Tap!’

“Ana?” I whispered.

“It’s open, Gio,” came a quiet voice from behind the door. “Is everything alright?” she asked me. How sweet, showing me that she cares about me already.

“I’m sorry to disturb you but…”

“You didn’t disturb me. I couldn’t sleep either.”

“I would like to try something if that’s Ok with you?” she nodded, although she looked a little uncertain when I walked towards the bed and drew back the covers. The heat from her gaze as she took in my half naked body, made me feel a bit violated. I chuckled, which broke her concentration.

“Like what you see?” I smirk at her, humour dancing in my eyes.

“I…um…you…” she stumbled over her words.

“It’s Ok, princess. It all belongs to you when you’re ready,” she closed her mouth as I climbed into bed next to her, pulling her close to me so that she was the little spoon to my big spook. As soon as her scent filled my nose, I felt my body relax and from the gentle moan from Ana, she felt the same.

“Thank you for trying this, Ana. I know it can’t be easy for you.”

“It’s not easy but it feels right with you. I feel safe,” I lay there with her in my arms, listening to her breathing slowly even out before closing my eyes, sleep instantly taking over.

The sunlight filling the room woke me from the most peaceful sleep I have had in years, and I have the most beautiful woman beside me to thank for it. I climbed out of bed and closed the curtains so that she could sleep a bit longer, then wrote a note and placed it on the nightstand. Before leaving, I kissed the top of her head and left to get ready for the day.

Showered and suited, I made my way to the kitchen to grab a coffee before heading to my office which also doubled as a meeting room when the dividing wall is pushed to the side. I opened the door and noticed that the wall had been removed already. “This is going to be a good day,” I thought to myself but failed to hide the smirk on my face.

“Morning boss. Sleep well?” Romeo asked with a teasing tone to his voice.

“What’s it to you?”

“Oh, nothing. Just noticed you leaving a young lady’s room this morning after being there all night,” he continued to rib me for spending the night with Ana.

“How the f**k did you know that? Like it’s any of your business anyway. Nothing happened, we just slept.”

“Good one, Gio. Like we all haven’t used that excuse at one point or another,” Alfredo joined in.

Looking around the room, I noticed that as well as Alfredo and Romeo, around the table sat Antonio, Sakalans, Ellie, Bianca, Luca, Francesco, Lorenzo, Giuseppe and Vincenzo. Something big must be going on as we never need the services of some of them on a regular and definitely not at the same time.

“So, who has the info as to why we are all here this morning?” Sakalans got up and walked towards me with an envelope and a file. He handed them to me and walked to stand in the corner of the room. For the number of years, he has worked for me, I have never seen his face or heard him say more than a few words. I take the envelope he handed to me and nodded my head in acknowledgement then proceeded to empty the contents onto the table in front of me. Glancing over the papers that I held in my hand, I couldn’t help but chuckle. “A warrant is out for my arrest for attempted murder, and I have been summoned to attend court. The victim…”

“Who is the named victim, Gio?” Bianca asked.

“Oriana,” gasps were heard around the table.

“We will need to make her aware of this,” Toni said quietly. I nodded as he left the room to go and get her.

“This is absolute nonsense. Who would do such a thing?” Bianca and Ellie were getting angry at the accusation. “Are you sure it’s a good idea to have her staying here?” Bianca whispered. It looks like Ellie hasn’t told anyone the news yet, so I will later.

“Ahem!” I looked up to see who had cleared their throat. “Ahem!” My eyes lock onto Sakalans as he tilted his head towards the door. Seconds later, the door opens, and Toni enters holding Ana’s hand.

“I believe some of you have already met my sister,” Toni said proudly as he stood next to her. Some made a small hand gesture in greeting. Ellie looked so angry but kept her gaze towards the floor and her mouth shut as Bianca looked at her in confusion. I stood up and stood the other side of Ana and placed my hand on the small of her back, feeling her instantly relax.

“Some of the team you may have seen already,” she nodded. “Going around the table you have Giuseppe, Vincenzo, Bianca, Lorenzo, Francesco, Matteo and the gentleman over in the corner is Sakalans,” each of them gave a nod as I introduced them.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you all,” Ana politely acknowledged them all.

“Please, take a seat,” she sat between Toni and Bianca. “We have received some intel that I am being set up for attempted murder,” I slide the papers over to her.

“Jaime.”

“How can you be sure?”

“Before I explain, does everyone know how and why I ended up here?”

“That’s your story to tell, princess.”