Love in the Storm

Chapter 8

Oriana

‘OMG! I cant believe this is happening to me,’ I said to myself as I paced the room, stressing my hair. ‘Stop it Ana,’ I scolded myself, ‘if you pull it anymore, you will go bald.’

I sat on the bed but, I was that anxious right now. Maybe that was a bit too much information to take in over breakfast. My fault, I know. Firstly, I’m an orphan all over again. Secondly, my dad wasn’t my dad but my mother’s kidnapper. Thirdly, my biological father was the king of all mafia families and last but not least, I am betrothed to Gio. I have no idea what is expected of me or what I am capable of. I have always played things safe and remained cautious and optimistic when it came to making life decisions. I always looked at the worst possible outcomes for each choice I made. So, why didn’t I think of them when I met Jaime?

I couldn’t believe that I am betrothed to Gio. OMG! Gio. He was like s*x on legs with a body of a god. A chiseled jawline and only what I could imagine would be perfect physique under the fitted suit he wears. His butt, yes, I did notice the way his trousers molded around him. What? I am a human woman after all. I couldn’t help but giggle to myself. His dark brown hair, that looks almost black, not too long and not too short on the sides but shorter than the top which was wavy and looked so soft, begging me to run my fingers through it. His olive tan and ocean blue eyes made me feel lost and willing to do his bidding. WTF! I really needed to stop thinking about him in a s****l way. I don’t even know him, what if he doesn’t like me? Was I on his hit list, would he kill me if I was? Has he killed people before? Of course he has. He is the Don after all and one day, I will be his queen. He just needs to prove to me that I am what he wants and not because of an agreement our father’s made.

‘Knock! Knock! Knock!’

“Ana, are you alright?” OMFG! His accent and the rumbling deepness of his voice could make me c*m without him even touching me. Being in the same proximity and his scent was just a bonus.

“It’s open, Gio,” I caved. I just couldn’t help myself. I felt calm and relaxed with him around me. It was strange, the connection I felt towards him, I just can’t explain it. Gio walked in and sat on the bed next to me, making me groan internally.

“I’m sorry, Ana,” I looked at him in confusion. “It was a lot of information to give you at one time. Both Toni and I feel a bit bad about …” I cut him off.

“Gio, I agree it was a lot of information but, I asked you both to give me said information. I know there is bound to be more but we can take our time unless time is of the essence. Yes, my head hurts a little trying to process it all and it will take time.”

“I agree, and I will give you as much time as you need. I vow to you that I will guide you in our ways, to help you become the queen you were born to be.”

“I don’t doubt that you will but, in case you haven’t noticed, I am recovering from a beating. A beating that was given by someone I believed for years loved me and who I thought I knew well. I thought he would never hurt me,” I choked back a sob.

“He will never hurt you again. I can promise you that.”

“How can you promise me that? He could finish the job when he sees me in the street or…” Gio cut me off by taking my hand into his.

“Look at me,” his voice was gentle but commanding, “he will never hurt you. I gave him a taste of his own medicine and demanded that he stays away from you. I hope he doesn’t as I am itching to end him,” a smile crept on his face and fire danced in his eyes.

“When that time comes,” I looked him in he eyes, “I want to be the one to take his life,” his lips twitched into a half smile. Even a half smile makes me want to straddle him.

“When that time comes, I will make sure you are ready, my queen.”

“I am not your queen,” his smile dropped off of his face, “yet.” The twinkle of mischievousness came back in his eyes.

“That is true but, that is why I am here. I am going to take you out for dinner this evening so that we can get to know each other better,” I must’ve looked like a dear caught in the headlights and started to panic. “Breathe, Ana. Please, listen to the sound of my voice. Listen to my breathing and copy it. It’s just dinner. You and me. No one else will be there.”

“That sounds…nice,” I gulped. “Wait, who owns the restaurant?”

“We will talk about it later. Your closet has been stocked for you. Would you like to see?” I nodded my head and Gio helped me stand up. I felt fine when I was walking around but, when I had been sitting, my body seemed to seize up. We walked to the closet on the opposite side of the room and opened the door. The sight before me caused me to inhale sharply making my ribs hurt.

“If there is anything you don’t like or doesn’t fit, we can return and exchange for you.”

“Thank you, Gio. You didn’t have to do this, really.”

“Yes, I did. You are mine and I will look after you in everyway that I can,” I wanted to pull him in for a hug but I didn’t think it was appropriate this soon in our relationship.

“I will see you at 6,” he said as he turned to walk away.

“Gio?” he turned to look at me. “Are you with me out of obligation or because you want to be with me? I don’t want you to feel that you were forced into this.” I could see the look of hurt flash across his face before he turned and left the room without saying a word, leaving me standing there staring at the now closed door. I was still stood next to he bed when Lileth walked in, after knocking of course.

“Hello, dear. I thought you might be in need of assistance.”

“Oh, yes, please Lileth. You are the best. Always around when I need you,” I smiled at her.

“And I always will be. I am yours to command, my dear.”

“Oh, no Lileth , I would never be able to command you. How about a friend and confident?” I suggested.

“Sounds good to me, deary,” she said with a smile. “Now, let’s get you ready for dinner,” she walked into the closet to pull a few choices. “We’ll go for comfort as it’s not a formal dinner and you are still healing.”

“Something loose, maybe?”

“ I know just the thing,” she smiled as she pulled out a loose fitting summer dress and a long sleeve, short cardigan so that my arms would be covered up. She gently brushed my hair, taking care not to pull too hard on my scalp. Lileth was like the mother figure I no longer had in my life.