Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad by Scarlett Rossi
Chapter 276 -

*Giovani*

I was enjoying my morning despite my concerns about Dahlia. My men were on it, and I needed to trust them. Olivia joining me in the shower was a surprise, but one I wasn't at all adverse to. I wasn't used to having someone sneak up on me, but then, I was preoccupied and knew an intruder would never make it into the compound alive. It was a relief to see her in brighter spirits than last night.

I was glad she was actually smiling. I'd already made plans in my head for us this morning. I would spoil her until she was feeling better while the search for Dahlia continued.

But all those plans went out the window the moment I heard a hard knock on the door. Only one person was authorized to disturb me, and it wouldn't be good news.

My eyes swerved to the door where the knock had come from. I sighed, realizing my time with Olivia was cut short.

I wanted to spend more time with her, to make sure she was really okay. The look in her eyes, haunted by a nightmare I couldn't see or hear, was the worst thing in the world. I felt useless and hopeless.

The brave look in her eye didn't stop her from crying, from sobbing and spilling her fears. She and Dahlia had always been close; she'd told me so.

This wasn't just Olivia losing her best friend. They were more like sisters. I'd never had a bond as close as theirs was, so I could only imagine the pain and fear she was going through.

She was torn up about Dahlia, and I knew I needed to be there for her, but I knew just as well that replaceing my cousin was the priority right now.

I pulled away from Olivia, trying to ignore the flash of insecurity in her eyes before it was hidden deeply behind a false sense of calm. I could see right through her attempts to be brave, but there was nothing I could reassure her with.

I moved the blanket out of the way as I got to my feet, ignoring my nudity. Olivia pulled the blanket over her body, hiding it from prying eyes as I rounded the bed.

There was a second knock on the door, a deeper one, but I ignored it as I entered the bathroom and grabbed a towel from the cabinet. I wrapped it around my waist and tucked in the ends tightly.

Once I secured it, I glanced at Olivia and made sure she was completely covered before I opened the door just a crack. I leaned on the doorway, making sure there was no sign of Olivia being in my room. "What is it?" I demanded, firmly.

Standing in front of the door was Gabriele, in a suit and looking as stoic as ever. He sent me an urgent glance, and his eyes flickered behind him.

I spotted Elior and Marco, two of our best. It looked like Gabriele had come through for me. I nodded at them and they nodded back before I turned back to Gabriele.

"We need to talk, sir," he said respectfully, not even glancing away from my face. He always knew how to be discreet when it called for it.

"I'll be in my office in five minutes," I said, nodding to him as I shut the door. I turned to Olivia, a wary look on her face as I spun on my heel and headed straight for my closet.

"Who was that?" Olivia called from the bed. "Was it about Dahlia? Did they replace her?"

"Not yet," I called back, as I shed the towel onto the floor and quickly began to dress. I discarded the condom, pulled on my underwear and then pants, buttoning them up. "It's just Gabriele. He needs to talk with me." "Okay," Olivia said, softly.

I pulled on my shirt, buttoning it up one by one before throwing on my suit jacket over it. I rolled up my sleeves and grabbed a pair of cufflinks. I clicked them into place and smoothed over my clothes.

I turned my attention to my hair, staring at myself in the floor mirror hiding in the closet. I ran a hand through my dark hair, smoothing it down.

It still wasn't completely dry, but it was good enough not to be noticed. I stepped out of the closet, completely dressed and ready.

I glanced over at Olivia, enjoying the way her eyes raked over me. She clutched the blanket to her chest, covering her body, but I could see the dip of her lower back, even the way her hair fell over her shoulder in waves. She was fucking beautiful. Every time I looked at her, I wanted her even more.

I headed to the mini-fridge I had tucked into the lower part of the nightstand, opening it up and snatching up a bottle of water.

Olivia's eyes followed me, her cheeks slightly red even as she was nude under the blanket. I sat on the edge of the bed, handing her the bottle of water.

"Here, keep hydrated," I told her, watching her take the plastic bottle with one hand.

She let go of the blanket, letting it fall around her and exposing her breasts into the air as she took off the cap.

I couldn't help my wandering eyes as she took a long drink, some of the water spilling out of her lips and down her chin. Her nipples were hard and fully erect, and I wanted to spend some more time showering how much I appreciated her body, but I was already running late.

I smirked at her as she finished off the water in record time. I planted my hand on the bed as I leaned down to kiss her, short and quick before I pulled back.

"I'll be right back. Wait here until he's gone, and then head back to your room as discreetly as you can. I'll come check on you soon," I told her. She nodded softly, and I got to my feet.

"I want you to be aware, too," I continued, "that you'll have two bodyguards at all times now. I don't want anything happening to you, too."

A look of protest crossed her face, and she opened her mouth to argue, but I sent her a hard look. She tensed, and her mouth fell closed. Finally, she nodded, even though she was clearly unhappy about it.

She took it much better than I thought. I was expecting a bit of a fight, but I was glad she was able to understand. That didn't mean I liked the put-out look on her face. If I could, I'd make sure she was always happy, always safe and cared for. But reality was a bitch, especially in the world I lived in.

"It's only because I care about you," I said, softly. "Otherwise, I wouldn't invade your privacy like this. They won't enter your space, and if they do anything you don't like, tell me right away. I'll switch them out."

"I understand." She sighed. "I don't like it, but I get it."

I smiled at her, pausing to give her one last kiss. She was the one who deepened it, entwining her fingers into my hair. I pulled away reluctantly, wishing I could stay in bed with her.

But I knew better.

I opened the door and walked out. Two of my men were standing outside of the door, and I nodded to them.

Elio was one of the newer recruits. We'd plucked him off the streets, an orphan with nobody left and nowhere to go. I was worried he wouldn't be experienced enough to guard Olivia at first, but he'd come a long way since he'd been picked up as a punk teen.

Marco, on the other hand, was more experienced and one of our best. He was the silent type and had been with us since James had been the Don. He was well into his sixties, but that didn't stop him from being a powerhouse. Between the two of them, there wouldn't be a single problem keeping her safe.

Some might call it overkill, but I wasn't taking any chances. The last time I did, Dahlia got snatched up, and I wasn't going to let that happen a second time.

"Follow Olivia if she tries to go anywhere, but otherwise, don't show yourselves. Understand?" I commanded them fiercely.

They had no option but to agree, sending one another a meaningful look. They glanced at me, determined and willing to perform their mission, just like I expected of them.

"Yes, Don," the two replied in unison.

"If you see or hear anything, call me right away," I told them, turning my back on them as I headed to my office.

"Don?" Elio spoke up, an impatient look in his eyes.

I glanced at him, gesturing with my head to continue.

"If we do encounter a threat," Elio started, and then he hesitated. He swallowed and plowed on anyway, his chin raised proudly. "Are we allowed to use lethal methods or do we capture them alive?"

I narrowed my eyes at Elio, crossing my arms as I faced him in the middle of the hallway.

"Do whatever you have to," I said, darkly. "Just keep her safe."

"Yes, Don," Elio bowed his head.

"Good," I nodded at them and finally entered the office. I shut the door behind me as Gabriele turned to me with a blank look.

"I see Marco returned safe and sound," I started with a passive look as I rounded my desk and settled into the chair. "What about Enzo?"

"He took a bullet to the chest. He's in surgery now," Gabriele reported, casually. "Both were ambushed in the Piazza last night. Seems like the Russians knew just what to do to lure us out."

"So all of it was planned," I said as I gritted my teeth, "from luring her guards away and striking at the apartment. Still no sign of those stupid boys?"

"Yes, actually," Gabriele replied. "One was found floating in the river. He'd drowned, apparently."

"Which one?"

"The Adrian boy. Seems he truly was in the wrong place at the wrong time. No sign of Dahlia's date, so we can only assume he knew something or was disposed of elsewhere."

I crossed my arms, feeling only the tiniest bit of regret for the boys' death. After catching him with his hands all over Olivia, my sympathy for him was zero.

Still, though... his death had been sloppy. Either he had just gotten in the way, or he'd been involved.

"We'd been meant to replace him. A warning?" I asked, cautiously.

"I thought the same, but I doubt it." Gabriele shook his head. "Not after this morning."

I narrowed my eyes upon my old friend, folding my hands in front of me as I digested his words. "What do you mean?"

Gabriele gave me a dark look, one that did not promise any good news.

"The Russians finally reached out."