‘Okay...’
It became an awkward silence, so I stood up and turned to him.
‘I’m going to my room.’
‘Alright, I’ll walk you.’
Thank God he said that. I was already becoming nervous about walking alone in these hallways. I didn’t feel comfortable yet, but I began to relax in Giovanni’s company. He did have that danger spirit hanging around him, but he also had a relaxing side.
I saw it when his guard fell down when I asked him his name.
We walked to my room and I pulled the door open. I walked in and turned around. He was leaning against the doorpost with his head resting against the wood. He stood up straight and took a step back.
‘I’ll see you later, Grace.’
‘Bye, Giovanni.’
‘You can call me Gio.’ He said with a small smile playing on his lips.
‘Okay, Gio.’ I blushed.
I bit my lip as he walked to his own room. He looked at me for the last time before he walked into his room.
~
I sat on the couch being bored as fuck.
I mean, there’s nothing to do in this fucking room. So, I walked to the door. Opened it. Walked out. Took some steps to the right. And knocked on Gio’s door.
Gio opened the door only in his pajama pants. And help me, God. He looked good. He had divine muscles and God, I wanted to lick those abs. Wait.. what? Get your shit together Grace.
I looked up and he was looking at me with a smug smile. I blushed and looked away.
‘Uhmm... do you have any books or something? I’m really bored.’
‘Yeaah. Sure. Come with me.’
I followed him through the hallway into a room. The room was filled with books and equipment. There was this huge tv that was hanging on the wall.
‘My God.’ I whispered.
I heard Gio laughing behind me and he pushed me further into the room. He had his hands placed on my hips as he led me to the couch in front of the tv.
We sat down and he grabbed two controllers from a PlayStation.
We played Battlefield for an hour and after that, we were just talking.
I was sitting on the couch sideways with my legs on the couch. He sat at the end of the couch in a normal sitting position.
‘How did you know my name?’ I asked him.
He grinned and said, ‘I did some research.’
‘Ohh..’
‘When I found you, I already did my research. I did it before I came to your house the night before. I already know that your name is Gracelyn Bella Belmonte, you were born on the third of July in 1997, which makes you 18.’
‘Okay... that’s kinda creepy...’ i snickered.
He laughed out loud as he looked at my expression.
‘Sorry. I had to know it.’
‘No biggy.’ I said smiling. ‘So... Gio, tell me something about yourself.’
‘Okay, I’m 24 years old. I have four brothers and one sister, you’ll love her. They also live in this house, but everyone has their own quarter. So you won’t see them unless you go to the main living room. My mom and dad live in Italy, that’s where I was born and raised. Uhh... That’s it actually.’ He told me with a small grin.
‘So, you have four brothers and one sister? Wow...’ i said.
‘Yeaahh... I know.’
‘What are their names??’
‘Raffaello is my older brother. Then I came. Then my mom had triplets, three boys, they are Lucas, Romano, and Damien. Then my little sister came, Camilla. She is also eighteen years old like you are, so maybe you guys could be friends.’
I thought about that, I mean, I never had a friend before so that would be totally awesome. But maybe she wouldn’t like me. I mean, what is there to like about me? Not much. But maybe she would like me. That could be possible, right?
‘Yes, I would like that.’ I gave him a small smile.
‘Alright.’
We silently watched tv as I lost myself in my thoughts.
I wish I had a family like Gio had, I would die to have so many brothers and sisters. Of course, I had Selena, but I don’t really call that a sister. She would never look at me with love in her eyes, only hatred, and envy. She would laugh when my dad would beat me up, sometimes she even helped him by grabbing a belt and spank me on the back. I still have my scars on my back. One time I was in the kitchen making them dinner and I ate a piece of carrot. She didn’t like that so she stabbed me in the stomach with a kitchen knife and told me to never eat something that was from her without asking again, or I would regret it. I already regretted it the moment I putted that piece of carrot in my mouth, the same moment she stood up from her chair.
Gio’s phone rang, he stood up and answered the call.
‘Hello, Cam.’
He laughed and agreed with the person on the other side.
‘Yes, we are in my room, why?’
‘Okay. I understand.’
‘Yes, yes. You will meet her in time, Camille.’
‘I would have to ask her.’
‘Okay.’
‘Yes I will.’
‘Okay. Bye. Love you too Cam.’
He ended the call with a big smile on his face. He sat down and looked at me with a exciting expression.
‘Grace?’
‘Uhmm... yes?’ I responded with a confused expression on my face.
‘Are you ready?’ He asked with a smug smile on his face.
‘Ready for what, Gio?’ I said beginning to get annoyed.
He looked at me with sparks in his eyes and a small smile playing at his lips.
‘Ready to meet the LaRosa family?’
Chapter 7
I looked at him as if he had grown a second head. Was he serious? Or was he kidding me? God, please let this be a joke. I mean, it would be amazing to meet new people. But I’m not good at meeting new people.
This one time my mom brought a friend home with her. I was in the kitchen decorating a cake with sparkles. They came into the kitchen. And you know what I did? I fucking sprayed the sparkles over their heads. I don’t know why? I don’t know how? But I did it. And may I ask? WHO THE FUCK DOES SOMETHING LIKE THAT?! I seriously thought there was something wrong with me at that time.
So, I’m a bit nervous about meeting new people. Okay, scratch that. I’m extremely nervous about meeting new people. Maybe I’ll do something weird and they won’t like me. Or I will say something rude. My God, what if I...
‘GRACE!’
‘Huh?.. yes? What’s wrong?’
He looked at me with an ‘are-you-serious’ expression.
‘You were spaced out for three whole minutes.’
‘Oh. Right. Sorry?’ I asked sheepishly.
He laughed and pulled me up by my hand.
‘Come on. Let’s meet my brothers and sister.’
He pulled me out of the room and dragged me through the hallway.
We were almost there when panic invaded me. I stood frozen in my place thinking about the thinks that could go wrong. What if they hate me?
GIOVANNI POV.
She suddenly stopped walking and stood frozen on the ground. I looked at her eyes and they went from absolutely terrifying to sadness. Tears were beginning to pool out of her eyes and her under lip began to tremble.
I pulled her in my arm and soothed her.
‘Shh. Grace? What’s wrong?’
She whimpered soft and I felt my shirt beginning to get wet from her tears.
‘Grace, it’s okay. Everything will be okay.’
She looked up at me with her cute face. The tears running down her cheeks made her cheeks pink.
‘B-but w-what i-if they d-d-don’t like m-me?’ she asked me as tears started to pool out of her eyes again.
‘Grace, trust me. They will. I know for sure.’ I said as I softly caressed her cheeks in mine.
Jesus, how the hell did that happened. I never comforted a girl before, I always let them do it their selves. but Grace is different.
She’s sweet and broken and I want to fix her. Maybe she could fix me too.
I rubbed the tears from her cheeks and took her hand in mine.
‘Come on. let’s go. It will be okay.’
We walked through the halls into the living room where my family was waiting.
Camilla jumped up from her seat as she saw me and Grace walking into the room. She squealed and hugged Grace close. Grace tightened her grip on my hand and her eyes went wide with fear.
‘Camilla, stop it.’ I grabbed her arms and pulled her from Grace. Grace got behind me and pressed herself on my back. I felt her grab my shirt and hold onto me.
′ You are scaring her, Camille.′ I said to my sister in a stern voice.
‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.’ She said with a sad voice.
Raffaello stood up from his seat and walked to me.
‘Hello brother.’
‘Hello.’
He usually gives me a hug or something, but that’s a bit hard with Grace pressed on my back.
‘Grace, come on. They’re not going to hurt you.’ I said in a soothing voice so she would be less frightened.
‘We’re not. I promise. We are never. Ever. Going to hurt you, Grace.’ Camilla said.
I turned around and grabbed Grace her hands. I led her to the couch and sat her down next to me. She became more at ease once I pulled her to my side.
‘Grace, this is Camilla.’ I said pointing at my sister. Camilla smiled sweetly as Grace looked at her nervously.
‘And that is Lucas, Damien, and Romano.’ I said pointing at the triplets who sat in front of us. They waved their hands at us when she looked at them.
‘And that’s Raffaello.’ I finished pointing at my big brother standing in front of us.
‘Your boss right?’ She whispered.
‘Yes, but more of a big brother.’ I said smiling.
She smiled back at me and relaxed a bit.
‘Uhm.. Hello.’ She said softly.
‘Heeyy.’ They replied in a union.
‘Do you want to come and make some coffee in the kitchen with me, Grace?’ Camilla asked.
She looked at me for help and I smiled softly as a reply.
‘Go on.’ I said.
‘O-okay.’ She stuttered.
She’s so cute. I watched her walk to Camilla and together they walked to the kitchen.
‘So, the girl, what’s up with her?’ Romano asked.
‘She has been through a lot.’ I answered.
‘Alright. But what are we going to do about her father?’ Damien asked.
‘I don’t know, man. I’ve got no idea where that son of a bitch is.’ I replied.
‘They saw him crossing the border the other day.’ Lucas said.
‘Well, that’s good news.’ Romano said.
‘He can’t find Grace again. So, I want extra security around the house and find that bastard.’ I said standing up.
‘We will, brother. Don’t worry. We got it.’ Raffaello said.
‘Thank you.’
I walked to the kitchen to see if Grace was okay. I saw her laughing with Camilla by the counter.
‘Heeyy.’ I said.
I put my hands on her shoulders and squeezed. She turned her head and smiled at me.
‘Haayy.’ She and Camilla said.
‘How are you girls doing?’
‘We’re good.’ Grace said.
‘You wanna go upstairs?’ I asked.
‘Yeaahh.’ She said while nodding her head.
‘Alright. Let’s go.’
We walked up the stairs and into my room. She sat down on the couch and put her feet on it as well.
‘Do you want to watch a movie?’
‘Yes. A comedy, please.’ She replied.
‘Okay.’ I grabbed a movie and sat down next to her.
I pulled her feet in my lap and she blushed bright pink.
We silently watched the movie and ate some popcorn.
The movie was about some crazy man who fucked up everything. It was on hell of a shit movie. But Grace liked it, so I didn’t say anything about it.
The movie was finished and Grace was sleeping on the couch. I picked her up bridal style and carried her to her room. She stirred as I laid her down on the bed and pulled the blanket over her.
I walked back to my own room and stripped off my clothes. I got in the shower and let the warm body ran down my body.
When I was finished in the shower I put on some boxers and got into bed.
Chapter 8
G R A C E P O V
I was cleaning the bathroom as my father walked in. The smell of alcohol invaded my nose as he came closer.
I looked for any kind of weapon I could use for self-defense but didn’t spot anything. I looked over at my father who was now one step away from me, he held a knife in his left hand and a belt in his right. O, God. Please help me.
He slapped me with the back of his hand on my cheek, I fell to the floor holding my stained cheek. He ripped my shirt off of me and put his knee on my back so I couldn’t move.
I saw him grabbing the belt and hold it like a whip.
I felt the belt come down on my back and tears pooled my eyes. He laughed at me and once again let the belt come down on my back. I screamed in agony and let the tears ran free.
He grabbed his knife and I felt a cold metal press down on my underback.
He pressed harder and I felt a warm liquid ran down my back onto the floor.
He ran the knife over the whole length of my back as I screamed it out.
I opened my eyes and saw my sister in the doorway laughing at my attempt to get free.
‘N-no p-please d-don’t.’ I whimpered as he held the knife by my face.
‘Don’t ruin her face. Then we would have to look at her ugly face every day and her face is already ugly enough.’ My sister said laughing.
My father got off of me and walked out of the bathroom with Selena by his side.
I laid on the cold bathroom floor shivering from the cold and the loss of blood. Tears were running down my cheeks and my back was stinging really bad.
Light invaded my sight and a soothing voice was near my ear.
I felt two strong arms around my waist who held me close to a warm chest.
I began to panic and tried to get out of his grip, but he held me to strong.
‘Shh Grace, it’s me, Giovanni. I’m here. It will be okay. You’re safe.’ I heard him whisper in my ear.
I relaxed and snuggled closer to his chest. He smelled so good. Tears were still running down my cheeks and my body was still shaking from the flashback. Gio pulled me closer and held me in a strong and secure grip. He kissed my forehead and wiped my tears away.
‘Go to sleep, love. I will be here when you awake.’ He whispered in my ear.
‘Thank you, Gio.’ I whispered in his chest.
‘Anything for you, love.’ He replied and once again kissed me on the forehead.
Darkness once again took the upper hand of me.
G I O V A N N I P O V
I woke up to horrible screams filling the air. They were full of agony.
I jumped out of bed and sprinted to Grace’s room.
Who the fuck is hurting my girl. I will kill that person with my bare hand.
I pulled open her door and ran inside.
She was asleep in her bed, her body was shaking with fear and screams were coming out of her mouth.
I ran towards her and gripped her shoulders.
‘Grace, Grace, wake up. It’s just a bad dream, baby.’
She went silent for a while but she was still shaking.
I let go of her shoulders and she screamed out again.
I laid down next to her and pulled her into my arms.
‘N-no p-please d-don’t.’ She whispered in her sleep.
‘Shh Grace, come back to me, baby.’
I tightened my grip and pulled her as close as she possibly could.
I whispered soothed
words in her ear to try and keep her calm. Her bad dream went on for five more minutes before she finally opened her eyes.
I told her it was me and she had to get to sleep again.
‘Thank you, Gio.’ Her words were muffled because of my chest.
‘Anything for you, love.’ I replied and kissed her forehead once again.
She fell asleep in a second.
I wondered about what her nightmare would be. Did she have them regular or just this one time? Did she struggle with more than just nightmares?
I hope she will be okay. I’m here for her now and will never let her go. She’s mine.
I felt her arm go around my waist as she snuggled closer. A smile formed on my face as I put my head in her neck. God, she smelled of roses. I love roses. From now on.
G R A C E P O V
I woke up to my bladder being overload. Jesus Christ. I need to pee.
I tried getting out but I was being held down by two strong arms.
I turned around and saw Gio laying beside me. He had a cute frown on his forehead and his hair was messy.
God, he looked divine.
I touched the rimple and trailer my fingers though his black hair.
His eyes opened and green eyes looked at me. ‘Goodmorning.’ He said with a sexy voice. I felt my panties getting wet, and let me tell you, that is not good in moments when you need to empty your bladder.
‘Can you let me go, please.’ I asked.
‘No.’ He pulled me closer into his chest and nuzzled his head in my hair.
‘Gio, i’m serious. If you want a wet bed, than that’s fine by me. But I rather go to the bathroom and do my bussiness in there.’ I said laughing as I looked at his horror filled face.
He abruptly let go of me and I scooted out of bed. I walked to the bathroom and did my emptied my bladder.
After that I got into the shower and washed my body. I brushed my teeth and combed my hair.
When I got out of the shower Gio was still in bed.
‘Gio, come on. Get up. It’s already noon.’
He groaned softly and turned away from me.
‘GIOVANNI. GET OUT OF THAT BED RIGHT NOW MISTER.’ I screamed.
‘Alright. Alright. I’m coming.’ He chuckled.
He got out of bed and muttered something under his breath.
SHY MEETS MAFIA Page 3