Chapter 8

Clarissa stared at Giovanny. Her chest he heave. Say something, she mouthed silently. Tell her the truth.

Giovanny's eyes slowly dragged over Clarissa's wet, trembling form. He looked back at his mother's hopeful, glowing face.

He moved.

Giovanny reached out and wrapped his long, heavy arm around Clarissa's waist. He yanked her hard against his side.

Clarissa let out a sharp gasp as she slammed into his solid chest. The trench coat slipped off her shoulder, exposing more of the wet silk clinging to her collarbone.

Giovanny dipped his head. He pressed his lips firmly against her temple. It wasn't a sweet kiss. It was a brand of ownership.

He lifted his head and looked at his mother. A smooth, apologetic smile touched his lips.

"Yes, Mother," Giovanny said, his voice a low, intimate rumble. "Your timing was quite unfortunate tonight."

Clarissa's heart stopped beating. Her eyes widened in pure horror.

She opened her mouth to scream that he was lying.

Giovanny's fingers dug into the soft flesh of her waist. He pinched her hard through the wet silk.

The sharp pain shot through her nerves. Clarissa sucked in a breath, biting her tongue to stop herself from crying out. The denial died in her throat.

Genevieve clapped her hands together. She looked like she was ready to faint from happiness.

"Praise the Lord," Genevieve practically sang. "Theodore's heart almost stopped, but thank God it didn't stop you two from... well, from your enthusiasm."

Giovanny chuckled. It sounded dark and rich. "We are working very hard on the family's future, Mother."

Clarissa squeezed her eyes shut. Her face was so hot she felt dizzy. She buried her face into Giovanny's chest just to hide from the older woman's gaze.

Genevieve laughed. "Oh, look at her, she's so shy! It's wonderful."

The medical wing door clicked open again. Dr. Frye stepped out.

"Mrs. Bartlett, Theodore is awake. He is asking for you," the doctor said.

Genevieve nodded quickly. She wiped a stray tear from her cheek.

Before she walked into the room, she turned to the hallway.

"Arthur!" Genevieve called out.

The old butler stepped forward. "Yes, Madam?"

"Have Marta prepare the master guest suite immediately," Genevieve ordered. Her voice was sharp and commanding. "Tell her to make it warm. And very, very private."

She turned back to Giovanny and patted his arm. "Go upstairs. Get out of those wet clothes. And for heaven's sake, finish what you started."

Genevieve turned and disappeared into the medical wing. The heavy door clicked shut behind her.

The hallway fell dead silent.

Clarissa shoved both hands against Giovanny's chest. She pushed him away with all her strength and stumbled backward.

"Are you insane?!" she hissed, her voice trembling with rage. "Why did you lie to her? Do you know what you just did? We can't take this back!"

Giovanny calmly reached up and adjusted his collar. The charming son vanished. The cold, ruthless predator returned.

"Would you prefer I tell her the truth?" Giovanny asked softly. "Should I tell my mother that I was forcing my wife to watch a pornographic video in my bathtub to punish her?"

The words hit Clarissa like a physical slap across the face.

Her mouth opened, but no sound came out. He had trapped her perfectly. Her own shame kept her silent.

Marta, the head housekeeper, walked down the hall. She kept her eyes respectfully lowered to the floor.

"Sir, Madam. The suite is ready," Marta said with a polite smile.

Giovanny stepped forward. He grabbed Clarissa's wrist again. His grip was unbreakable.

He leaned down, his lips brushing her ear.

"You will play along tonight," he whispered, his voice laced with venom. "Or I will make things much worse."

Giovanny pulled her forward. Clarissa's legs felt like lead, but she had no choice. She followed him up the grand staircase, walking straight into the trap.