I examined my watch, noticing that the girl was already five minutes late. I told Giovanni to have her ready a while ago, and just as expected, he couldn't handle simple fucking instructions.

Preparing to get her myself, I began to walk up the stairs just as Giovanni presented himself at the top.

I glared at him just before Reyna appeared behind him, wearing the dress I chose for her. I had no doubts that it wouldn't look good on her figure. I've seen what she looked like without all of the baggy clothes, and I was aware of how sexy she could become with just a push.

My eyes wandered up from her nicely round hips up to the dip of her waist before studying the perfect curve of her breasts. I loved that they had a nice droop to them. They weren't too perky to the point they looked unnatural, but they were faultlessly assisting gravity.

Slowly, I looked into her eyes before noticing the hand Giovanni had on her lower back—a little too low. It was obvious Giovanni had a liking toward her. I only wondered if she was aware of how much he probably fantasized about her.

"We have to go," I declared the moment she made it to the bottom step.

Taking a step toward her, I studied the makeup covering her face and the missing glasses. I started to find her big eyes peering through her lens cute, and her face free of product the most beautiful. However, she looked good either way.

"Giovanni... go get the car ready, and remove your hand," I ordered, referring to his palm that was practically over her ass.

Giovanni shifted away from her, giving me a curt nod before walking past me and out of the door. I gazed at the girl, my Angel.

"Where the hell is your necklace?" I questioned, raising a brow full of annoyance. She handed me the jewelry box, a waft of her sweet perfume filling my nostrils.

"Turn around," I grumbled.

She slowly spun so her backside was facing me. I got a good look of her plump ass that looked even more heavenly in that dress. My dick twitched in my pants at the thought of fucking her over the staircase.

Opening the jewelry box, I lifted the necklace out of the case before walking over to her. I was pressed right up against her back, and she had no clue how bad I was fighting my every temptation.

I handed her back the box before putting the necklace around her, clasping it in the back.

Just as she was about to pull away, I wrapped an arm around her waist, enjoying her sweet aroma. She tilted her neck slightly as if she were aware of the every thought coursing through my mind. It was as if she wanted me to commit every sin my cock wanted to.

"Gabriella Martinez," I stated. "That's your name for tonight, and don't forget it. If any man or woman talks to you, you walk away. If any man or woman touches you, you tell me."

"I will," she said.

I skimmed her soft skin with my lips. Her head fell against me as my hand trailed down from her waist to her hip.

"I guess you could say I'm sexy enough for you to date now, huh?" She questioned. I could see her cherry-colored lips rise up to a smirk.

"Truth is, I've never dated anyone. No woman has ever accompanied me to a ball, or a date. No woman would ever be 'sexy enough.' "

Wheels began to turn in her head. "Why? Is there a reason you don't date?"

I thought back to my family. My fists clenched at the thought of them. Their blood were still on my hands and I could feel it dripping, forming a puddle around me. Memories of their screams were stained in my mind forever.

"Because I kill everyone I love. Be warned, my little Angel, I'm not a good man... that you should know. You are aware that I rid myself of weaknesses before giving someone the chance to have power over me. Don't forget it," I informed her.

She froze where she stood, her fear clawing at me, but I loved the scratches and scars it would leave.

Giovanni strolled back into the room, taking in our proximity. I could see his smile fall a bit before he quickly covered it up.

"Car's ready, boss," he said.

I nodded my head, narrowing my eyes at the boy who continued to stare at Reyna. She walked away from me, heading over to the boy. I had to resist pulling her back to me and forcing her not to leave my side.

"I'll talk to you later, Gio." She smiled, wrapping her arms around him. My jaw clenched when he returned her hug.

"Are we leaving, or do you two just want to sit around and play boyfriend and girlfriend all day like little teenagers?" I inquired, walking up to the pair.

Reyna held a blush to her cheeks as she slowly pulled away from Giovanni. He was staring for a lot longer than I liked

"Yeah." he chuckled. "I'll see you around, hot stuff."

The moment she was away from his grasp, I wrapped an arm around her waist and began to stride away from Giovanni and toward the car. I could see her look back at him as we walked.

"What's going on between you and Giovanni?" I questioned the moment we arrived at the car. I opened the door for her, assisting her into the vehicle. Once she was in, I slid in right behind her.

"Nothing. He's my friend, and the only person that isn't mean to me. Giovanni actually treats like a person and not just a brain," she explained.

"Mean to you? We aren't children, Angel," I reminded her just as the car's engine began to purr.

"I know, Saint, but it hurts all the same. All I ask is for a bit of kindness. Do you think I enjoy being called unattractive, or being looked at as nothing but a simple tool for you to use and dispose of when you need to?" she questioned, her once quiet voice beginning to gain some volume.

I reached over to touch her shoulder before gripping her neck.

"I'm not a hero. I'm not a Prince Charming. I'm not a saint. Giovanni may be the hero, but not me. I will always be the villain in every story. I won't ever be the one telling you that you're beautiful then make love to you under the stars. I will fuck you senseless in any place I want to, and then maybe, I'll say goodnight depending on my mood." I chuckled unenthusiastically.

"I don't show compassion. Empathy doesn't exist in my bones. I don't date. I don't marry. I'm a murderer, a thief, a motherfucking gangster, Angel. Don't ever expect anything good out of me because it'll never happen, am I understood?" I demanded before harshly releasing her.

She placed her hand on her neck to feel her heated skin. "And what do you think I am?"

I smirked. "You tell me."

"I'm a queen, Santino. I'm armed with intelligence, and despite what you may believe, I have beauty that exists on the inside which is a whole lot better than anything someone could have on the outside. You can shoot me with your lies, but I will always know the truth," she replied.

"And the truth is?"

"For a villain, a murderer, a thief, and a motherfucking gangster who has no empathy or compassion... You're jealous."

—

Another short chapter! Stay tuned for the next update which will be very soon. Can't wait for you all to see what's next *smirk*

Thank you for all of the love, and for even reading this book and giving it a chance! You are the absolute best people I have ever met. Thank you for making me laugh, smile, and for basically reminding me why I began writing in the first time. Sometimes, I forget how much fun it is... thank you all for helping me remember.

Question: who's your favorite character from The Prodigy so far?

Love ya! See you next update

—A. Marie