★★Mariella's POV★★



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As Luna and I loaded our beach bags into the trunk of my Lamborghini Miura—a gift from one of my exes—I couldn't help but smirk. Sure, I caught him cheating, but the car? Oh, I was keeping that.

A small consolation prize.

"Did you pack the tanning oil?" Luna asked, slipping our sandcastle kit into the trunk. Sandcastle building wasn't just fun for me—it was a competition. I loved going head-to-head with kids on the beach to see whose castle was bigger.

Spoiler alert: I usually won.

"Oh, yeah. Don't worry, it's all in there," I replied, double-checking the bags.

That's when Gio's voice cut through the air behind us. "Wow, Mariella. Pretty sure your papa wouldn't approve of that outfit," he teased, his tone dripping with that familiar smugness.

I turned to find him eyeing me up and down, his gaze lingering on my bikini and short, knitted, see-through dress. A weird flutter sparked in my stomach under his scrutiny—a mix of irritation and something I didn't want to name. Crossing my arms, I gave him my best glare.

"I'm going to the beach, Gio. What did you expect? A full on ski suit?"

His lips curved into a smirk at my pout, his dark eyes practically laughing at me. "Touchy," he said with a low chuckle.

"Yeah, Gio, let your girl dress how she wants," Luna chimed in from the other side of the car.

Me and Gio both whipped our heads toward her, shouting in unison, "What!?"

She grinned innocently, then snorted and slid into the back seat, laughing like she'd cracked the world's funniest joke. Meanwhile, Gio and I stepped away from each other so quickly, you'd think the ground between us was on fire.

"Uh... I'm just gonna—" Gio mumbled, gesturing awkwardly toward the driver's seat.

"Yeah, sure—go ahead," I stammered, waving him off.

As he climbed into the car, I rolled my eyes and mouthed, What the actual fuck?

Me and Gio?

No.

Absolutely not.

The thought alone made me shudder. He was like... like a brother. Yeah, that's it.

A brother.

The car horn blared, startling me out of my thoughts. I flinched as Luna burst into laughter from the back seat.

"Coming!" I snapped, climbing into the passenger seat.

Turning around, I shot Luna a look that promised retribution. She bit her lip to hold back another laugh, leaning back like she wasn't terrified of the inevitable payback.

Oh, I'd get her back. Once we got to the beach, she'd find herself "accidentally" dunked in the water.

Maybe twice.

Gio started the car, his smirk still lingering as he glanced my way. I crossed my arms and stared out the window, pretending he didn't exist.

The winding hills of Sardinia gave way to a stunning view of the beach, where the shimmering turquoise waves kissed the golden sands. The moment the scenery came into full view, we all rolled down our windows. The warm, salty breeze rushed in, whipping my hair around as I closed my eyes and let the sun-soaked air fill the car. Luna was already snapping pictures of the coastline, grinning at the perfection of it all. The upbeat music blasting through the speakers made everything feel like the start of a movie montage.

When we reached the crowded parking lot, Gio killed the engine, and we began unloading our bags. The beach buzzed with life—kids running along the shore, couples lounging under umbrellas, and a vibrant bar with music loud enough to vibrate the sand beneath our feet. After staking out a good spot, Luna and I peeled off our outerwear, revealing our bikinis. Her emerald-green suit gleamed in the sunlight, while my black-and-gold set hugged my curves just right.

"Alright, race?" Luna challenged, raising an eyebrow at me. Her competitive streak was already flaring.

I smirked, rolling my shoulders. "You're on."

Gio, however, stood off to the side, his usual stoic self, dressed in cargo pants and a tank top. Despite my earlier pleas for him to ditch the bodyguard vibes, his earpiece was still clipped in, and his holstered gun peeked out subtly at his side. I shot him a look.

"Gio, we're going to the water," I said pointedly, hands on my hips.

He gave a slight nod, his gaze sweeping the beach like he was on high alert.

Typical.

I turned back to Luna, who was already crouched in a runner's stance, eyeing the ocean like it was her opponent. "On three," I said, locking eyes with her.

"Three—" I didn't even finish before I bolted toward the water.

"CHEATER!" she yelled behind me, laughing as she sprinted to catch up. I hit the waves first, diving into the cool, refreshing water, letting it shock my sun-warmed skin. When I surfaced, Luna was right behind me, splashing water in my direction.

"You absolute fucker," she said, laughing as she wiped salt water from her face.

I grinned smugly. "And yet, you still love me." I hugged her dramatically, knowing she wouldn't resist. The moment she relaxed into it, I shoved her under the water.

"You little—!" She grabbed my arm and dragged me down with her, and we both emerged laughing so hard we could barely stand.

As we waded back to the shore, water droplets streaming off us, I slung my arm over Luna's shoulder. "Come on, drinks on me," I said, leading her toward our spot.

When we got there, Gio was standing with his arms crossed, wearing an unreadable expression. The deadpan seriousness on his face immediately killed my playful buzz.

"What?" I asked, tilting my head.

He grabbed my towel without a word and walked over to me, draping it around my shoulders. His hands lingered for just a second too long, his jaw tight.

"What are you doing?" I asked, confused.

"There are guys staring," he said, his voice low and clipped. He nodded toward a group of five men leaning against a railing at the bar, their eyes locked on me and Luna like vultures.

I glanced at them briefly, rolling my eyes. "Thanks for the concern, but I don't care." Without hesitation, I shrugged the towel off and dropped it on the chair.

Gio's brows furrowed, clearly annoyed. "Mariella—"

"Relax, Gio," I interrupted, walking over to Luna, who was trying to stifle a grin. "Ready?" I asked, grabbing her phone.

As we started toward the bar, Luna leaned in close and whispered, "Someone's jealous."

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "God, Luna. You're ridiculous."

She laughed, linking her arm with mine as we made our way toward the music, the bass thumping in time with my heartbeat. The salty air, the sound of laughter, and the promise of cold drinks made everything feel like a perfect summer escape—until Gio's intense gaze burned into the back of my head like a brand.

We both ordered Rossinis, the sparkling cocktails arriving in delicate glasses that glittered in the sun. Drinks in hand, Luna and I made our way to an open seat overlooking the beach, where the waves stretched out endlessly before us. The scent of salt and summer hung in the air, mingling with the distant laughter of beachgoers and the faint bass from the bar's speakers. We took our first sip simultaneously, humming in unison at the perfection of the drink.

"Alright, so back to our conversation from earlier at your place." I smirked, casting a glance over my shoulder to where Gio was distracted, scanning the area. I turned back to Luna, who was practically bouncing with excitement.

"Okay, so there's this guy from France," I began, and Luna's eyes narrowed, her brow furrowed in curiosity.

She nodded, taking a sip of her drink, and I continued, "He's...the heir to the French throne, you know?" I raised an eyebrow, and Luna's eyes widened as she caught on.

"Oh, that's freaking hot!" she exclaimed, her voice husky.

I rolled my eyes, a smirk playing on my lips. "But he's a huge dick," I added, crossing my arms and leaning back in my seat.

Luna's chuckle was like music to my ears, and she asked, "Wait, why?" Her eyes sparkled with amusement, and I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal.

"Because he's the one who took me and kept me in a dark, scary room," I said, trying to sound nonchalant, but my annoyance seeped through.

Luna's face lit up with a mischievous grin. "Oh, kinky," she whispered, winking at me. I rolled my eyes, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks.

"But..." I started, but my voice trailed off as I struggled to put into words the confusing emotions that arose whenever I thought of the French heir. I couldn't admit to Luna that his voice made me weak in the knees or that his presence made me feel like I was on the brink of explosion.

Luna's eyes sparkled with understanding, and she leaned in, her voice low.

"But?!" she prodded, her gaze drifting to my cheeks and the way I had my legs clamped together. I felt a rush of mortification, and my eyes darted around, hoping no one had noticed our conversation.

"No," I whispered, shaking my head.

She squealed so loudly heads turned in our direction. People from the nearby tables stared, including Gio, who looked over with a confused furrow of his brows.

I shot him an awkward, tight-lipped smile before leaning forward and whispering furiously, "Shut the fuck up!"

"No fucking way!" she shrieked again, ignoring me completely.

"Luna, stop!" I said, trying to maintain what little dignity I had left.

She leaned closer, lowering her voice but not her energy. "Have you guys fucked yet?"

My head snapped toward her, and without thinking, I yelled, "Fuck no!"

The entire bar went silent for half a second as everyone turned to stare at me. I plastered on my best fake smile, pretending nothing had happened, and slumped back in my seat as Luna wheezed with laughter.

"But you want to," she said, deadpan, her smug grin making me want to strangle her.

I bit back a groan, my cheeks burning. The heat pooling in my core didn't help. Finally, I downed the rest of my Rossini in one go, slamming the glass down. "No. And we're done talking about this. Next subject. Please."

Luna smirked, clearly enjoying every second of my torment. "Alright, alright. You slut."

I rolled my eyes, but a grin tugged at my lips despite myself. "Oh! I almost forgot to tell you something," I said suddenly, startling her as I leaned forward dramatically.

"Geez! I'm listening!" she said, wide-eyed as she clutched her chest.

"I'm due for an arranged marriage," I announced, my voice dripping with annoyance.

Her jaw dropped so fast I thought it might hit the floor. "You're shitting me!" she gasped.

I sighed, nodding. "Yep. My papa brought it up this morning. Apparently, it's time for me to 'do my duty' or whatever."

"With who?" she demanded, leaning in as though she was about to uncover a huge scandal.

"That's the question of the century," I said dryly, crossing my arms. "I have no idea. I literally got on my knees this morning and begged him not to go through with it."

Luna burst out laughing. "On your knees? Now that's a sight I'd pay to see."

"Luna, this is serious!" I said, grabbing her hand dramatically. "You have to save me."

"Say less, babe" she said, springing to her feet so suddenly her chair almost toppled over. She gave me a formal salute, and before I could say a word, she grabbed my hand and marched us toward the dance floor.

"Luna, what are you doing?" I yelled over the blaring music.

"Operation Save Mariella! First step: dance like there's no tomorrow!" she shouted back, spinning me under her arm.

Despite myself, I laughed as we joined the crowd, the beat of the music thrumming in my chest. Whatever chaos lay ahead could wait—right now, I was free.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm amber glow over the beach, I surrendered myself to the hypnotic beat of the music and the flashing lights from the bar's dance floor. For a while, I forgot about responsibilities, obligations, and the ever-present shadow of my double life. Luna was somewhere nearby, probably causing trouble, while I chatted with a guy named Marco—a charming stranger with a playful smile and enough confidence to hold his own against my sharp wit.

That's when I saw Gio.

He was weaving through the crowd like a prowling panther, his dark eyes fixed on me. Even in the fading sunlight and dim club lights, his presence stood out—serious, grounded, and unmistakably annoyed. In his hand, my phone glinted, a cold reminder of the life I'd been trying to forget, even if just for an hour.

Marco leaned in closer, still talking about something I wasn't paying attention to. Then, without warning, Gio slipped in behind me, his tall frame towering over Marco. His presence was suffocatingly authoritative, and the shift in the air was palpable.

"Do you mind?" Gio's voice was low and measured, but there was a deadly edge to it, like a knife hidden in plain sight.

Marco faltered, glancing at me for guidance. I gave him a polite smile and shrugged, waving him off. "It was nice meeting you, Marco," I said, though my tone made it clear the conversation was over.

He hesitated for a beat, his eyes flicking between Gio and me, then raised a hand in an awkward farewell before melting into the crowd.

The second Marco was gone, I turned to Gio, arms crossed and glare fully loaded. "Dude, seriously? Was that necessary?" I asked, dropping onto a stool and folding my legs over one another in frustration.

Gio scoffed, holding out my phone as though it were a live grenade. "Your alien emoji's calling," he said, raising a skeptical eyebrow.

I froze, a flicker of panic shooting through me.

Eliseo.

I'd completely forgotten about him in the heat of the moment, but I knew better than to ignore his calls. They were rarely social. I snatched the phone from Gio's hand, quickly masking my unease with nonchalance. "Oh, uh, it's my... astrologer," I lied, cringing internally at how ridiculous that sounded.

Gio didn't buy it.

His eyebrow arched higher, his expression unreadable but unimpressed.

"I'll just—yeah," I mumbled, hopping off the stool and practically sprinting toward the quieter edge of the bar.

Gio didn't follow. He simply nodded at me, his jaw tight, as if understanding this wasn't something he was meant to pry into. His eyes lingered on me for a second too long, though, before shifting back to scan the crowd, ever the vigilant bodyguard.

I ducked around a corner, hitting "answer" as I pressed the phone to my ear.

"Eliseo," I said, keeping my voice low.

"Any plans tomorrow morning, boss?" he asked, his tone as calm and clinical as ever.

I racked my brain, trying to think of any family duties or appearances I'd committed to. Nothing came to mind. "Nope. Why?" I replied, trying to sound casual.

Eliseo's voice was laced with a hint of urgency as he began to explain the situation. "We've received intel about a high-end sex club that's been involved in human trafficking. Several high-profile individuals have been caught on camera, and we need someone to take care of them. Discreetly." My grip on the phone tightened as my anger simmered just below the surface. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, and my mind was racing with the sheer audacity of these individuals.

I scoffed, masking the storm brewing inside me. "Say no more," I said, my voice low and razor-sharp, laced with the kind of determination that made my enemies tremble. Eliseo's reply was swift and efficient. "I'll send you the location at 7 PM. Be ready."

I ended the call with a curt hum, slipping the phone into my bag as my mind shifted into overdrive. Calculations, contingencies, escape routes—it all swirled together in a chaotic but oddly thrilling rhythm.

When I turned back toward the crowd, my eyes instantly locked on Gio. He was standing by the edge of the dance floor, arms crossed, his sharp gaze already dissecting me. He didn't need to ask; he could see it on my face. Whatever calm the evening had brought was gone.

With a subtle nod from him, I knew we were on the same page. It was time to leave. But first, I had to collect my loose cannon.

Luna was a mess—beautiful, vibrant, but an absolute disaster at this point in the night. She was perched on a barstool surrounded by a gaggle of guys, tossing her hair and laughing so loudly it carried over the music. One of the men leaned in a little too close, and I felt my blood simmer. Not tonight.

I marched over, my heels clicking against the wooden floor like a warning. "Alright, party's over," I announced, my voice cutting through the chatter.

Luna turned to me, her cheeks flushed and her grin wide. "Mari! Come meet the boys! This one's a DJ," she slurred, pointing at the guy who had been leaning in. He looked up at me, his confidence wavering when he caught the sharpness in my eyes.

I ignored him, grabbing Luna gently but firmly by the arm. "Time to go, Lu," I said, forcing a smile to soften the blow. She pouted, clearly about to protest, but then her expression melted into a dreamy smile. "Okay, okay. But only if we get gelato," she bargained, wagging a finger at me like she was striking a deal.

I let out a small laugh, shaking my head. "Deal. Gelato," I promised, sliding an arm around her waist to help her up. As I guided her away from the bar, Gio fell into step beside us, his gaze darting around the room like a hawk, scanning for any threats.

Once outside, the cool night air hit us like a splash of water, sobering Luna slightly. She tilted her head back to stare at the stars, mumbling something about how pretty they were. I led her toward the car, mentally preparing myself for the chaos tomorrow would bring.

Behind me, Gio's steady presence was both a comfort and a reminder. He didn't ask questions, didn't press for details, but I could feel his protective energy radiating. As I helped Luna into the back seat, I couldn't help but glance at him. His jaw was tight, his eyes calculating.

We reached the car, and I helped Luna into the backseat, her drunken giggles spilling out as she made herself comfortable. As I slid into the passenger seat, Gio climbed in behind the wheel.

The silence stretched as he started the car. I could feel his eyes flicking toward me, his thoughts practically screaming in my direction. Finally, as the car rumbled to life, he broke the quiet.

"That call," he said carefully, his tone casual but probing. "Sounded important."

I leaned back in my seat, staring straight ahead. "Just business," I said, my voice light and dismissive.

He didn't respond immediately, but I could sense his curiosity growing. "What kind of business has you stepping away in the middle of a bar?"

I turned my head slightly, meeting his gaze with a small, unreadable smile. "The kind you don't need to worry about," I said smoothly.

His jaw tightened, and I could see him wrestling with the urge to push further, but he didn't. He simply nodded, his eyes flicking back to the road as we pulled out of the parking lot.

No one can't know.

As the car sped down the quiet streets, the weight of tomorrow loomed over me. But for now, I let myself enjoy the fleeting quiet, even as Gio's silent curiosity lingered in the air like a shadow I couldn't shake.

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Dun Dun Dunnn 😮

Gio is getting a little too nosy

Wonder how mari is going to pull this off

Bye, lovies! (っ◔◡◔)っ

Maddie♡