Charlie snarls and snorts so hard that he sneezes. I glance down at my dog and Gio takes a step back. He clears his throat and adjusts his sleeve. “You’re not the only one who lost someone. You’re not the only one that wants to make something different.”
“But I’m the one who’s a powerless woman expected to be happy shopping and getting my nails done.”
“What’s wrong with actually enjoying what you can?”
“What Ienjoyis being free. Ienjoybuilding something more than myself and actually putting some damn good into this world instead of having bodyguards strapped to my side and a hand covering my mouth when I want to say something.”
I take a step back from him. “I thought you understood that.”
“I can see it from both sides, Julie.” He softens his voice. “After losing my dad ... I realized how many stupid chances we took. Chances we never should have taken. Chances like the last one my dad took when he dismissed his guards and ... well...”
“That’s not fair to bring up.” I hiss. “My mom did everything right and she still ended up gone. So if I’m screwed either way, I want tolive.”
“You seem pretty alive to me.” He takes my hand and strokes the inside of my wrist. “Pulse and everything.”
“Your charm is powerless right now,” I say, despite the fact that his boyish smile gets me every damn time. His thumb stroking my wrist again and again so gently feels wonderful. He could put me into a trance with all these right words and gentle touches, but only if I let him.
I pull my hand away. “I just want to be normal, Gio. I didn’t get to be a wild teenager. I got three years of living my life close to how I wanted, but ... I want more than three years.”
“So what? You’re going to move to Brazil and change your name and start from scratch?”
I see Konstantin standing in the shadows behind Gio.
I don’t bother wiping at my watery eyes. “No. I’m going to do things my way.”
“What does that mean?” Gio asks.
“It means I’m going to move up the ranks, take control ... or.”
Konstantin looks over and I feel the genuine smile spread over my face as I hold my head higher. “Or I’m going to burn it all to the ground and prove I can turn ash to gold.”
5
KONSTANTIN
Ihave to admit, the little siren has grown up into a woman I’m convinced could be queen. Gio takes another step toward her. “Let’s just go back inside. You can plot here as easily as you can at home.”
“I’ll take you home,” I offer simply.
Both turn to look at me. Gio may be eager to follow Mr. Giovani’s orders to the letter, but I know the spirit will be easier to keep. He doesn’t want her followed and guarded just to cart her from place to place. He wants her protected. Being in her penthouse keeps her protected.
She walks around Giovanni and the darker dog, I think his name is Charlie, he growls at Gio and kicks his foot back as if he can throw dirt on Gio’s shoes. I like the pup even more. Juliana takes my arm in hers.
“Thank you, Konstantin.”
“Are you serious?” Gio demands. “He could fire you for this.”
“He won’t,” I say easily, despite how unsure I am. “His daughter will be protected.”
Juliana gives me a real smile and lets me lead her to the car I have waiting. I get her in after checking the driver’s credentials and then slide in beside her. She sets Charlie on my lap. I stare at the dog and it stares at me.
“Go on. You know you want to. And you deserve it,” She encourages.
I stroke Charlie and see his tongue loll out. I scratch his ears and lose myself in how adorable he is. I would love to have a dog of my own. Or twelve. I chuckle as Charlie turns in a circle when I stop petting him.
“He wants more.”
He settles when the car starts and lies down on my lap obediently. I see her other dog is on her lap. She strokes him slowly. “This is Nolan.”