Giorgio (Vigilance #1) - Silvia Violet Page 0,53

friend of his named Emilio who got us hooked up with satellite internet since the cabin lacked Wi-Fi, along with all other essentials. I set up my laptop on the rickety coffee table, and we snuggled together in the best of the two chairs while watching the first three episodes of Jane the Virgin. It had been a while since I’d seen it, and I loved starting the story all over again.

As the third episode wrapped up, I realized Giorgio wasn’t watching it. He was watching me, and he had a look of wonder on his face.

“What?”

He cupped my cheek. “You. I’ve never met anyone like you, princess.”

“Didn’t I tell you not to call me that?”

“Do you really mind?”

I shook my head. “There isn’t anyone else like me.”

“I know. You’re really special, and… I don’t have an easy time talking to people. Sometimes I feel like my job is all I am, but with you… I feel like more.”

My chest tightened, and I felt like I was full of so much emotion I might burst. “That’s the most amazing thing anyone’s ever said to me.”

He kissed me then, soft and sweet, not like any of the kisses we’d had before.

When he pulled away, I reached out and paused the show. I closed my laptop, then held out my hand to Giorgio. “Come on. Let’s go to bed.”

We collapsed onto the bed, kissing, limbs tangled around each other. We took things slower and more gently than we had before. I loved the rough, harsh fucking we’d done, but this was just as good. We took time to explore each other until we couldn’t go slow anymore. When we’d exhausted ourselves, we fell asleep in each other’s arms. For the first time in ages, I slept soundly.

I worked on my art the next morning, and Giorgio actually read, though he also spent plenty of time watching me. Giorgio and I were discussing what we wanted for lunch when he froze. “I heard something.”

Neither of us spoke as we listened. I heard a thump, then rattling. Was there someone outside?

Giorgio brought his finger to his lips, telling me to keep quiet. When he tipped his head toward the bedroom, I got up and headed there as quietly as I could. I grabbed the marble statue because, no matter what he said, I didn’t intend to be weaponless. Then I sat on the bed and waited. I didn’t hear anything, but I was sure Giorgio was going to check out the noise.

The seconds seemed to creep by. I jumped when something thumped against the side of the house. The sound was followed by a muffled groan. What if Giorgio needed help? I wasn’t going to let some asshole hurt him. I stepped out of the bedroom, holding the statue, and made my way carefully toward the door. The front door was ajar. My heart thumped against my chest as I stepped outside.

I heard noise coming from the side of the house. I descended the porch steps and moved that way slowly. When I peered around the corner, Giorgio was fighting with a large man.

He ran at the man, driving his head into the man’s midsection and knocking him back. Before the man recovered, Giorgio kicked his feet out from under him, then got his arm around the man’s neck. He held on even as the much larger man struggled. A few seconds later, the man slumped to the ground, and Giorgio stepped back. The asshole had never stood a chance against him.

A twig snapped as I took a step. Giorgio looked up, gun suddenly in his hand.

When he saw it was me, he lowered the weapon. “Jesus, I could’ve shot you. I told you to stay inside.”

“I was worried about you.”

His eyes widened. “You were—”

“Yes. What if you needed help? You’re not invincible, no matter what you think.”

“I can do the best job of keeping you safe if you listen to me.”

“I’m not very good at listening. I never have been.”

“No shit.”

As I moved closer, I got a better look at the man on the ground. “Oh my God.”

Giorgio held up his hand to keep me from moving closer. “What is it?”

“That’s the man who came to my apartment. Alan’s driver or bodyguard or whatever he is.”

“You’re sure?”

“Can I get a better look?”

Giorgio aimed his gun at the man. “You can now.”

I looked him over carefully. “Yes, I’m sure. You can check the security footage from my building. He’ll be on there from when