My Childhood Bully is a Mafia Boss-Chapter 96

Giovanni

Suppressing a laugh, I watched as Ellie jumped in surprise. Apparently, she didn’t hear me approaching from behind.

"Hello, beautiful. I’m here to check if you need anything," I said with a smile.

Ellie nervously bit her lip. "That won’t be necessary," she responded shortly.

"Nonsense." I waved off her protest. "What can I help you with? Unpacking? Babysitting? I’m a jack of all trades," I said as I eyed the boy playing in the corner.

Ellie scoffed. "For some reason, I don’t see you as a babysitter."

"I will prove you wrong," I challenged, raising an eyebrow.

She looked at me for a moment, then without another word, she turned and walked away. But I knew that was just part of the game, the push and pull we’d found ourselves in. I wasn’t going to let her go that easily.

I followed, keeping a few steps behind her.

She went to the room next to hers and looked around. For a moment, her facial expression softened. "It looks like Elora’s baby room at Aidan’s house," she said absently as she placed the baby in her crib.

With a nod, I replied, "Yes. I had it decorated just like that."

Ellie seemed surprised again. Her eyes narrowed, suspicion creeping into her gaze. "How do you know what Elora’s baby room looks like?"

"A good question," I responded, not giving away anything more.

"Spying now, are we?" She crossed her arms over her chest.

I shrugged, "Just making sure you feel at home."

She didn’t reply to that, her silence a clear challenge. I couldn’t help but wonder, was this an acceptance of sorts? Maybe she didn’t hate me as much as I thought. Or maybe she was just biding her time, waiting for the right moment to strike.

"I am joking, of course. I didn’t spy. I saw what it looked like the other day when I was at Blackwood’s house during the attack," I clarified. "And you mentioned that you wanted to bring the crib and Lucas’s bed with you. So I had my men bring them here."

Ellie’s shoulder relaxed a bit. "Oh, right."

"Are you always this suspicious?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Only when it comes to men like you," she snapped.

I cocked my head and grinned. "Men like me? What kind of man do you think I am?"

Ellie glared at me, her eyes sparking with a mix of irritation and defiance. "The kind who thinks he can buy loyalty and trust with grand gestures," she said sharply.

I chuckled, a low, amused sound. "Maybe. Or maybe I’m just trying to make a good impression," I countered, maintaining eye contact.

She crossed her arms, clearly unimpressed. "I know what you want from me, Giovanni." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"And what do you think I want from you?" I asked.

"You want to manipulate me and seduce me to get what you want," she said.

"I told you I don’t plan on coercing you for the codes at the moment. And seduce you? Well..." I paused and moved closer to her.

Even though she wasn’t petite by any means, I still stood head and shoulders above her. From this vantage point, I could catch the faint aroma of jasmine tangled in her luscious red locks.

It was a scent that wrapped around me like a warm embrace, intoxicating and alluring.

"Perhaps I do want to seduce you. Are you seducable, cara mia?" I whispered.

Ellie’s cheeks flared red, her green eyes widening, taken aback by my words. "I..." she stammered before taking a step back, breaking our proximity. "You’re...you’re... crazy!" she finally spat out, her chest heaving.

An amused smirk tugged on my lips as I watched the fiery tempest before me. I was aware that I was treading dangerous waters, but years of placing bets on uncertainty had made me somewhat of a thrill-seeker. "crazy, moi?" I echoed with feigned surprise.

Suddenly, a tiny squeak caught our attention, and we both turned towards the sound. Elora’s big eyes wide open and staring at us in confusion. Our conversation must have woken her up.

Ellie rushed to her immediately while I took a step back, giving them space. She picked up Elora and cradled her close to her chest, murmuring soothing words into her ear.

The sight made my heart clench. They were outsiders in my world, but I desperately wanted to make them my own.

For a moment, the room felt warmer, more like a home than a battleground.

When Elora was finally settled, Ellie looked up at me, her eyes still wary but softened by the maternal love she had just displayed. "Giovanni, I don’t know what game you’re playing, but my children come first. Always."

"I know," I said, hoping she would hear the sincerity in our voice.

"And I won’t sleep with you," she declared.

My lips quirked up at that. "No?" I asked in a teasing tone.

"No," she said more firmly.

She narrowed her eyes at me, a challenge presented without a word being spoken. Ellie was as fierce as she was beautiful, and I found myself drawn to her more and more.

I raised my hands in mock surrender, a teasing smile on my lips. "Understood, Ellie. No funny business."

She narrowed her eyes at me, clearly not entirely convinced, but a hint of a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. It was a small victory, but I would take it.

"Good," she replied, her tone softening slightly. "Now, if you don’t mind, I need to get Elora settled."

"Of course," I said, stepping back further. "If you won’t sleep with me, could you at least do me an honor by having dinner with me tonight?"

Ellie paused, her eyes narrowing slightly as she considered my request. The suspicion was still there, but I could see a flicker of curiosity in her gaze.

"Dinner?" she repeated, her tone cautious.

"Yes, dinner. Nothing more, nothing less," I said, keeping my voice light and nonchalant.

She studied me for a moment, then sighed. "Fine. Dinner. But just dinner," she agreed.

A genuine smile spread across my face. "Perfect. I’ll have it arranged."

Ellie gave me a wary nod before turning her attention back to Elora, who had settled comfortably in her arms. As she rocked her daughter gently, I slipped out of the room.