Surrender to the Don's Embrace

6

MILLIE

I was anxious. It had been a long time since I last saw Gio. I smoothed my hair down and straightened my shirt, feeling unsure about the tight black skinny jeans that Harper had convinced me to wear. Maybe something less attention-grabbing would have been better. Gio wanted to meet me in fifteen minutes, but I didn't know the exact location yet. I assumed he would call me once he arrived, asking me to come down to the lobby.

"Stop fiddling," Harper said casually, flipping through a magazine on the sofa.

"I really don't think this outfit is a good idea," I replied, feeling uncomfortable.

"It is. It's easy to manipulate men. Even Sienna, who's only fourteen, already knows how to do it. Father always says we're the weak sex because we don't carry around guns. But we have our own weapons, Millie, and you'll have to start using them. If you want to survive a marriage with Gio, you'll have to use your body to manipulate him. Men have a weakness, even the coldest ones, and it hangs between their legs."

I doubted that Gio could be manipulated so easily. He didn't seem like someone who lost control unless he wanted to. Besides, I wasn't sure I wanted him to notice my body in that way.

Suddenly, a knock on the door made me jump, and I glanced at the clock. It was still too early for Gio, so I wondered if he would actually come up to our suite.

Before Harper or I could react, Sienna dashed out of her room wearing her rocker-chic outfit - tight leather pants and a black tee - trying to look adult. Harper and I didn't approve, thinking she looked like a fourteen-year-old trying too hard.

Sienna opened the door, trying to appear sexy, and Harper groaned, but I focused on Gio. He seemed a bit puzzled, obviously trying to figure out who Sienna was. Behind him stood Sebastian, Dario, and Valerio. I was surprised he brought his entourage. I wondered where Enrique was.

"You are Sienna, the youngest sister," Gio said, ignoring Sienna's flirty expression.

Sienna frowned. "I'm not that young."

"Yes, you are," I said firmly, walking up to her and placing my hands on her shoulders. She was only slightly shorter than me. "Go to Harper." Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FindNøvᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Sienna looked at me incredulously, but she obeyed and moved away.

My heart raced as I turned back to Gio. His eyes lingered on my legs, making their way up to my face. There was a look in his eyes I hadn't seen before - desire. "I didn't know we'd meet in my suite," I stammered, realizing I should have greeted him more politely.

"Are you going to let me in?" he asked.

I hesitated for a moment but then stepped back, allowing the men to enter. Valerio remained outside and closed the door, which I didn't appreciate.

Sebastian approached Harper, who quickly sat up, giving him a displeased look. Sienna, on the other hand, smiled at him. "Can I see your gun?" she asked, sounding overly curious.

"No, you can't," I interjected firmly.

Gio's gaze was on me again, his eyes fixated on my legs and buttocks. Harper shot me an I-told-you-so look, wanting me to use my body to my advantage. The problem was, I preferred Gio ignoring my body because everything else about him scared me.

"You shouldn't be here alone with us," Harper muttered. "It's not appropriate."

I almost snorted, knowing Harper didn't care about appropriateness at all.

Gio narrowed his eyes. "Where is Enrique? Shouldn't he be guarding this door?"

"He's probably on a restroom or cigarette break," I shrugged.

"Does it happen often that he leaves you without protection?" Gio asked, looking concerned.

"Oh, all the time," Harper said sarcastically. "You see, Sienna, Millie, and I sneak out every weekend because we have a bet going on who can pick up more guys."

Sienna laughed playfully.

"I want to have a word with you, Millie," Gio said, fixing me with his cold stare.

Harper rose from the sofa and approached us. "I was just joking, for God's sake!" she said, attempting to step between Gio and me, but Sebastian firmly gripped her wrist and pulled her back. Sienna watched the scene with wide eyes, while Dario stood against the door, pretending not to be involved.

"Let go of me, or I'll break your fingers," Harper growled. Sebastian raised his hands with a wide grin.

"Come on," Gio said, his hand gently touching my lower back. I swallowed a gasp, but he didn't comment on my reaction. "Where's your bedroom?"

My heartbeat quickened as I nodded towards the door on the left. Gio led me in that direction, ignoring Harper's protests. "I'll call our father! You can't do that."

Once inside my bedroom, Gio closed

the door, and fear washed over me. Harper's words had caused

UT

unnecessary tension. Facing Gio, K said, "Harper was just joking. I haven't even kissed anyone yet, I swear." My face flushed at the admission, but I didn't want Gio to be upset over something hadn't done.

Gio's intense gray eyes held mine. "I know."

My lips parted in surprise. "Oh. Then why are you angry?"

"Do I look angry to you?"

I decided not to reply.

He smirked. "You don't know me very well."

"That's not my fault," I muttered.

He gently touched my chin, and I felt frozen in place. "You are like a skittish doe in the clutches of a wolf." He didn't know how close that description came to what I thought of him. "But I'm not going to maul you."

I must have looked doubtful because he released a small laugh, lowering his head toward mine. "What are you doing?" I whispered nervously.

"I'm not going to take advantage of you if that's what you're worried about. I can wait a few more days. I've waited three years, after all."

I couldn't believe he'd said that. Of course, I knew what was expected on a wedding night, but I had almost convinced myself that Gio wasn't interested in me that way. "You called me a child last time."

"But you aren't a child anymore," Gio said with a predatory smirk. His lips were less than an inch from mine. "You're making this really hard. I can't kiss you if you look at me like that."

"Then maybe I should save that look for our wedding night," I challenged.

"Then maybe I'll have to show you from behind so I don't have to see it."

My face fell, and I stumbled away, my back colliding with the wall.

Gio shook his head. "Relax. I was joking," he said quietly. "I'm not a monster." "Are you sure?" I asked, regretting my words even though they were true.

"I wanted to discuss the matter of your protection with you," he said in a formal, emotionless tone. "Once you move into my penthouse after the wedding, Valerio and Dario will be responsible for your safety. But I want Dario by your side until then."

"I have Enrique," I protested, but he shook his head.

"Apparently, he's taking too many breaks. Dario won't leave your side from now on."

"Will he watch me when I shower too?"

"If I want him to."

I raised my chin, trying to quell my anger. "You would let another man see me naked? You must really trust Dario not to take advantage of the situation."

Gio's eyes blazed. "Dario is loyal." He leaned close. "Don't worry, I'll be the only man to ever see you naked. I can't wait." His eyes trailed over my body.

I crossed my arms

over my chest

and averted my eyes. "What about

Sienna? She and Harper share this

suite with me. You saw how Sienna

can be. She will flirt with Dario.

She

will do anything to get a rise out of

him. She doesn't realize what she

could get herself into. I need to know that she's safe."

"Dario won't touch your sister. Sienna is just playing around. She's a little girl. Dario likes his women of age and willing."

'And you don't?' I almost asked but swallowed the words and nodded instead.