Chapter 15

Chapter Fifteen

Dimitri

Blood was dribbling down the side of Gianna's chin onto her neck, a crimson trail against her pale skin. Her eyes fluttered shut, and a jolt of something unfamiliar shot through me, a sensation I couldn't quite identify. Before I could stop myself, I acted on instinct, lifting her into my arms with a growl that rumbled deep in my chest.

The moment my skin touched hers, a searing heat raced through my veins, unsettling and thrilling at the same time. I could feel the warmth of her body seeping into mine, the faint beat of her heart against my chest. The scent of her blood filled my nostrils, a heady, intoxicating aroma that made my own heart race and my muscles tense with primal urges I didn't understand.

I shook my head, trying to clear the sudden fog that had enveloped my mind. This was Gianna…the enemy…the one I absolutely did not trust. She was in league with my father who I swore was planning to hurt my brother again. It was only a matter of time for that, I was convinced.

And yet, as I cradled her in my arms, feeling the softness of her curves pressed against me, something in that split second irrevocably changed for me.

Then again, maybe it was all a trick.

Tearing my gaze away from her face, I glared at Augustus and Louise, my eyes narrowing on them dangerously. "Get out of my way," I snarled, my voice low and threatening, barely recognizable even to me. My arms tightened instinctively around Gianna, holding her closer, as if to shield her from their prying eyes.

They looked at each other in surprise, their eyebrows rising and their mouths falling open slightly. But to their credit, they did as I asked, stepping aside with a mix of fear and confusion etched onto their faces. I could feel their gazes boring into my back as I strode past them, Gianna's limp form nestled safely against my chest.

With each step, the turmoil within me grew, a battle raging between the strange, undeniable pull I felt toward the woman in my arms and the hatred for my father and anyone who sided with him that I had clung to for so long. I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the way my skin tingled wherever it touched hers, the way my heart seemed to stutter and skip in a rhythm I had never known previously.

I laid Gianna down on the couch. If anyone had hurt her, they'd pay with their lives. I'd make sure of that. But to my amazement, her body was still. The violent convulsions had subsided, leaving only the occasional twitch. I watched as the ugly purple bruise on the side of her face slowly faded and the scratches around her neck disappeared, like a twisted magic trick.

"I gave her a healing potion, Dimitri. That's what I did to her," Augustus said quietly. "Gianna had powerful wolfsbane elixir pumping through her veins. It kept her from healing."

I met his gaze, my eyes narrowing. "Who gave it to her?" I seethed, my mind already compiling a list of people who needed to die.

"A witch concocted it, but we don't know who," Louise said, her voice quivering slightly. "However, according to Angelo, a wolf shifter injected it into her, paralyzing her, before he and his pack attacked her."

I looked down at Gianna, taking in her features. The color was already coming back to her face. Her long, dark eyelashes brushed against her cheeks, and her lips had turned a tempting shade of ruby red. Even still weakened, she was stunning.

I glanced between Louise and Augustus, a muscle ticking in my jaw. My grip on Gianna tightened protectively, my fingers pressing into her soft skin as if to reassure myself that she was still alive, still here, still breathing.

"This wolf pack meant business," I ground out through clenched teeth. "And my guess is that they're going to try to attack her again." I shook my head, a harsh, mirthless laugh escaping my lips. It was a sound born of anger and incredulity, echoing in the stillness of the room. "Angelo Santi's wise decision was to have my father protect her?" I asked, my voice rising with each incredulous word. "Does he want his sister dead?"

My heart pounded in my chest, a frantic, erratic rhythm that echoed the chaos of my thoughts. I looked down at Gianna's beautiful face, her features pale and still, and a surge of something intensely fierce and protective rose up within me, surprising me.

"Why would you say that?" Louise's voice flared with fury.

I met her gaze unflinchingly, a cold smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "Because trusting my dad to guard Gianna is like having a shark guard a baby seal," I scoffed, my voice full of contempt. A bitter laugh escaped my lips, the sound harsh and grating even to my own ears. "The first opportunity he gets, he's going to throw her to the wolves. Literally."

I sat on the couch and lifted Gianna into my arms, pulling her close to my chest as if to shield her from the very thought of my father's betrayal. The steady beat of her heart against mine seemed to fuel the fire of my determination and solidified my unyielding resolve to keep her safe from all who would do her harm.

Augustus stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he studied my face. "Angelo would kill him if he did anything like that," he said, his voice low and serious, each word weighted with the gravity of the consequences. "He'd be lucky to die fast and quick."

A hollowness settled in my chest, and I squared my shoulders, my jaw setting with a stubborn resolve. "Let's make sure it doesn't come to that," I ground out, my gaze flicking between Louise and Augustus, daring them to challenge me. "I'll protect her myself if I have to."

My determination to keep her safe grew stronger with each passing moment. I carefully masked my protective instincts, keeping my expression neutral. I knew with bone-deep certainty that I would do whatever it took to keep Gianna Santi safe—no matter the cost.

I stared at her, my heart clenching. This feeling was new for me. I had never felt like this about anyone except perhaps my brother. "Why isn't she waking up?"

Augustus shrugged. "It takes time for the potion to work, and according to my spell book, during the healing process, the vampire goes into a deep sleep."

Louise gave her husband a look. "You could have told us that before you gave it to her."

"In the excitement, I forgot. Dimitri, you can leave. She'll be asleep for a while," Augustus said.

I released Gianna and sauntered over to the loveseat opposite her. There was no way on this Earth I was going to leave until the healing process was complete. I stretched out my arms, crossed my ankles and folded my hands behind my head. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Why do you care so much?" Louise asked suspiciously. "Earlier, you treated her like you hated her."

I shrugged, a smirk playing on my lips. "Let's just say I have my reasons."

She put her hands on her hips. "What reasons are those? "

I gave her my most devious smile, enjoying the way she squirmed under my gaze. Louise had always treated me like dirt, and now it was time for a little revenge. "That's for me to know and you to find out, birthday girl."

"Dimitri," her voice softened, and I fought the urge to roll my eyes. "Gianna's been through so much. I would hate for you to…add to her troubles."

"She's already knee-deep in trouble," I said, my voice hardening. "The minute Angelo Santi assigned my father to be her bodyguard, he sealed her fate. If you can't understand that, then you're not as smart as I thought you were."

Before they could respond, there was a rapid knock at the door. I stood up, my senses instantly on high alert. I could feel my father's presence on the other side.

Augustus moved to answer the door, but I held up a hand, stopping him. "I got this," I said, my voice low and dangerous.

I opened the door, blocking the entrance with my body. "Well, well, well. If it isn't dear old dad," I said coldly. "What brings you to this humble abode?"

Petar Dragan's eyes narrowed as he took in my defensive posture. "I'm here to see Gianna. I'm her bodyguard, remember?"

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "Right. Looks like you've done a fantastic job of protecting her so far."

"Step aside, Dimitri," Petar growled. "My patience is wearing thin."

"Not gonna happen," I said, my voice firm. "Gianna's unconscious, and I don't trust you as far as I can throw you."

Petar's eyes flashed with anger, and he tried to push past me, but I stood my ground. "I don't have time for this, Dimitri. Gianna is my responsibility. Let me do my fucking job."

I laughed humorlessly, shaking my head. "Your job? Puh-lease. We both know you've got ulterior motives. I'm not letting you anywhere near her until I figure out what you're up to."

Petar's face contorted with rage, and he looked about ready to lunge at me. I tensed, ready for a fight, but Louise stepped between us.

"Enough!" she said, her voice firm. "Petar, Gianna is in no fit state for visitors right now. Come back later."

Petar glared daggers at me, but he stepped back. "This isn't over, Dimitri," he hissed.

"I'm counting on that," I said with a smirk. "But for now, you're not welcome here."

Petar turned on his heel and stormed off without another word, his footsteps receding down the hall. I closed the door, a feeling of unease settling in my gut. I knew my father was up to no good, and I'd be damned if I let him hurt Gianna on my watch.

I turned to face Augustus and Louise, my expression unyielding. "I'm staying here for a while. Until I figure out what my father's up to, I'm not letting Gianna out of my sight."

Louise crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. "And why should we believe you suddenly care so much about her wellbeing? "

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Believe what you want, Louise. I'm not the enemy here. My father, on the other hand…" I shrugged as I let my voice trail off, letting them connect the dots.

Augustus stepped forward, his expression guarded. "How do we know you're not just using Gianna as a pawn in some game of your own?"

I met Augustus's gaze, a smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth. "You don't," I said bluntly. "I guess you'll just have to have a little faith."

Louise and Augustus exchanged a glance, their suspicion still evident, but I could see a flicker of doubt creep into their eyes.

"Look, I'm not really asking for your trust," I said, my voice low. "But I am asking for your cooperation. Let me stay here, keep an eye on Gianna, and figure out what my father's up to. Please. If I step out of line, I swear, you can kick me out and I'll go willingly."

Louise sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly. "Fine. But one wrong move, Dimitri, and you're gone."

I nodded. "Understood. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a damsel in distress to watch over."

I turned and walked back to the couch, settling in beside Gianna's sleeping form. I brushed a strand of hair from her face, my fingers lingering on her soft skin for perhaps a moment too long.

"You know, she's quite the looker," I said, loud enough for Augustus and Louise to hear.

Louise scoffed, her eyes narrowing. "If you're trying to convince us you care about her, you're doing a pretty piss poor job."

I placed a hand over my heart, feigning hurt. "Ouch. You wound me, Louise. Can't a man appreciate a beautiful woman without having his motives questioned at every turn?"

Augustus stepped forward, his expression stern. "Not when that man is you, Dimitri. We know what you're like, and we don't want Gianna to get hurt."

I laughed, shaking my head. "Ah, yes. My reputation. Well, let's just say that Gianna is...different. Special even."

I looked back at Louise and Augustus. "Believe what you want," I said, my voice low. "I'm not going anywhere until I know she's safe. Who knows? Maybe by the time she wakes up, she…and you…will see me in a whole new light."

I flashed them a predatory grin, relishing the tension that crackled in the air. Augustus shifted uncomfortably while Louise's eyes darted between us, her anxiety radiating off her in waves. Let them wonder about my intentions. Honestly, I wasn't even entirely sure myself what I felt for Gianna. But one thing was certain: I wasn't about to let anyone, especially my father, lay a hand on her.