by Raven Crow
Every once and a while she’d threaten to run away from my dad to somewhere exotic like the Caymans or Fiji, she never meant it though.
She stood there with her platinum, hair twisted into some kind of work of art on the right side of her head. She had on a new long, red, sleeveless dress. She had even wore some of her expensive jewelry that my dad had gotten her throughout the years. She tried her best to hide it but I could tell that she was nervous.
“You look really beautiful mom.”
“Well thank you Sax. I really dread going to these kinds of things but we have to show our support as the local law enforcement, you know ass kissing.” She laughed. “Did your dad at least tell you the break we got in the case?”
“No what break?”
“The first victim had a mystery boyfriend. We were able to clear the victim’s child’s father he had a alibi for the night of the murder. However, one of the victim’s friends recalls a conversation with her where she bragged about a new man in her life just recently.”
“That is good news. Now you can find the boyfriend who probably killed her but what about Daphne…who killed Daphne?”
Chapter 21
Gio
My head felt like it might blow up. The king had me greeting and meeting every single important person in town for the past hour. My hands were even tired from shaking so many hands. My cheeks were sore from smiling at every stupid joke that was cracked. I should have been used to this shit by now but it seemed that I’d never get used to posing as something I wasn’t. The worst part was that I hadn’t even caught sight of Jo all day. I had hoped to catch up with her since we returned from our very short trip to the country. I hadn’t called her or texted her and when she’d call and text I had been too busy or I’d barely miss her.
I stood alone in a sea of rich gypsies drifting away as my mom and dad talked amongst their favorites.
I slowly moved backward away from them to start to search the marina for Jo, they didn’t notice me while I disappeared into the crowd. I had already served my purpose and now I wanted to enjoy myself if I could.
I spotted my friend Luke so I quickly jetted over to him. I wanted to ask him if he knew who might have wanted Sax hurt. He was with his wife I noticed his face lit up as I neared him. Frankie and Charlie my other two friends were also there as well with their wives all of the men looked miserable.
“Gio man, it is so good to see you it has been forever.” Luke gave me a side hug and a hard time.
“Yes indeed it has been a long time.”
“Is that Gio but I thought that he was too good for the likes of us lower gypsies.” Frankie scoffed with a grin.
“No Gio doesn’t think he’s too good for us, Frankie stop giving him a hard time,” Charlie grunted before hugging me, “it is good to see you brother.”
“Hey everybody I know it has been a minute I’m sorry.”
“We still love you Gio.” Frankie laughed.
“Luke I wanted to ask you a few questions if you have a second?” I leaned in to his ear. He nodded as we walked off away from the others.
“Of course what’s up?”
“It’s about the accident.”
“Oh yeah, I heard about that. How is Sax doing? I meant to go to see him but I’ve been caught up with the wife and the baby. You know family life.”
Secretly I thought I had no idea what he was talking about regarding ‘family life’.
“He is doing fine, you know Sax he’ll be out of there soon. I wanted to see if you could find out if someone wanted Sax hurt on purpose.”
“Seriously…do you think that someone caused the accident on purpose but I thought that it was the bait shack that collapsed and that hurt Sax?”
“It was the bait collapsing that hurt him but there were injuries on his back caused by man and not the building. I want to know who would dare hit Sax in the back.”
“Say no more I will get right on it. Anything for Sax his is my brother too.”
“Thanks I knew I could count on you Luke. I will talk to you later.”
“Sure thing, I will let you know when I know something, later Gio.”
I headed towards King Moreau’s II yacht at the end of the docks. There were so many people on the yacht that it looked like it might start to sink if you added one more person. There was loud music coming from the bow area. I paused looking up on the ship’s berth searching for Jo while I pulled out my cell to call her. My stomach sunk at the realization that my phone was dead. I would need to get on the yacht which was the last thing I wanted to do.
Once on board I headed towards the bow of the yacht where the largest group of people seemed to be gathered. As I neared the rim of the crowd I noticed everyone’s attention had been drawn towards something. I politely pushed my way through the circle until I was near the center. I was immediately shocked by the appearance of King Moreau II and Jo, who were dancing closely together to a slow song. Jo had a big smile while she stared up at the king. The king peered down at her with a smile that made me sick to see. He appeared captivated by her almost lost in her eyes somehow. In that moment I felt my muscles tense up while I balled up my fists. I had never wanted to punch someone more in my life. I would have to watch this mysterious, stranger while he touched my girl’s lower back while I did nothing about it? I felt my breathing getting faster more shallow while I fought back my primal instinct to hit the king. If I were to even so much as raise my fist to the king it would seen as a challenge, and to do so would surely cause a war between our kingdoms.
The presence of a soft touch on my shoulder pulled my eyes to the side finding my mother, Camilla there with a comforting smile. I didn’t think about how I had read letters that she might have hid from me.
“Doesn’t Josephina look absolutely beautiful in that gown that your father sent to her to wear?” She whispered into my ear.
I looked at the strapless, purple, gown I hadn’t even noticed. The gown made Jo look like a princess and I didn’t feel like her prince.
“Jo is always beautiful in everything that she wears mother.” I replied.
“They look very picturesque, like a fine piece of artwork hanging in a museum. They would make a perfect couple, don’t you think?” She arched her brows while pressing for an answer.
“What are you asking me…does father want to match Jo and King Moreau II?” I calmly replied without any sign of my real feelings on the matter.
“Uh…no I don’t think that your father has any plans on placing Josephina onto a match list. I was only pointing out their obvious attraction to one another.”
“What attraction they don’t even know each other. This is the first time I’ve even seen them together.” I scoffed.
“Enough already Gio, I’m aware of you and Josephina paramour.”
I struggled to think of the meaning of her words.
“I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“It is ok. I won’t tell your father. I mean every prince is entitled to a little youthful pleasure.”
It suddenly dawned on me that she had somehow figured out that Jo and I had been sleeping together or I had failed to hide my emotions. I stood unresponsive for several seconds.
“I apologize.” I released my confession.
“No need to apologize Gio it is pretty natural for a man to be led into fulfilling his basic desires.” She grinned while winking. “Your secret is safe with me. Now go and enjoy yourself.”
“Ok…I will thanks.”
She floated off into the crowd.
The song finally ended before another fast song started which caused the crowd to fill in the circle to dance. I made my way over through the mess of people to Jo as she noticed me. Her face beamed with a full toothed smile which I returned as I reached her. We stood inches apart locked in a silent gaze. I started moving to the beat of the music to not cause any suspicion while she joined in. I had hated watching her with another man but I had a feeling that would be the first of
many times that it would happen. I had allowed myself to fall in love with her and now I would have to endure the pain that was going to follow.
“I am so happy that you are here Gio.” She shouted over the music.
“Where else would I be Jo, I’m the king’s son.” I laughed.
“Well I haven’t seen or heard from you in a hot minute. Where have you been keeping yourself?”
“Nowhere in particular, only doing the bidding of the king, is all. I am sorry that I haven’t called.” I was sorry but I had intentionally avoided her for weeks. “How have you been doing?”
“I have been doing fine. I have missed you Gio.”
“I am glad that all is well with you. Did you get some food, there’s lobster down by the launch ramp did you see?” I avoided saying anything back to her statement but I had missed her.
“No I’m not going to risk getting anything on this dress. That reminds me; please thank your father for me for this beautiful gown. It arrived this morning along with a vase of red roses. The box said that it was from Paris. The twenty-five thousand dollar price tag was left on. The cost of the dress nearly sent my father into cardiac arrest.” She giggled.
“I will tell him, and he shouldn’t have left the price tag on for either of you to see that was tacky of him.” I leaned down to whisper in her ear. “But you are worth every damn penny Jo.”
“Josephina darling, that dress looks smashing on you.” My father yelled over the music as he joined us. “Isn’t she an absolute vision Gio?” He patted my back.
“Yes she is truly a vision.”
“Gio I need you to take Josephina over to the Tennyson’s tent down on the beach to introduce her to them.” My father grinned before patting my back.
“Alright, I can do that.” I offered my arm to Jo which she took. “Come along with me to meet the Tennysons.”
“Ok…sounds good. Thank you again King Gardiner for the gown.”
“Please call me Ger or godfather, Josephina. There’s no need for such formal titles between family. You are welcome.” He leaned down placing a peck on her cheek.
“Well ok than godfather please call me Jo.”
“Yes of course Jo it is.” He quickly turned before walking away.
I guided her through the crowd and off of the yacht before reaching the beach. I decided to take the only opportunity of privacy and the cloak of night to tell her the truth.
“Jo I’m sorry that I have to keep my distance from you. You understand why our relationship must remain between us, right?” I whispered into her ear while we walked towards the Tennyson’s tent.
“No I don’t. Why?” She groaned with wide eyes.
“I am a gypsy. I must follow the law of our kingdom, therefore I will eventually be matched and so will you.”
“Matched to each other?”
“No…we will not get to choose our matches Jo, our matches will be chosen for us by the Tellers.”
“WHAT? No—I will not do it. I am not even thinking about marrying someone. I won’t be married to a stranger.”
“I know that this is a bit overwhelming but this is how our kingdom will grow stronger. I will have to go along with my king’s rules and his orders. I’m sorry.”
“I thought that you loved me Gio!” She yanked away from me as her face changed to crimson.
“I do—of course I love you but…”
“But—what?” She started to back away from me towards the tent.
“I have to do what I am told.”
“Like a fucking puppet on a string. Well, I won’t be controlled.” She grabbed a hold of her dress. “What do you and your father think that you can dress me up like some fancy doll to offer up to the highest bidder? Don’t answer that—I’m done!” She shouted.
I reached for her but missed her arm as she darted off down the beach past the Tennyson’s tent. I raced after her not caring who could see. I’d simply explain that she was upset and I needed to care for her if anyone asked. I had broken her heart which was the last thing I had ever intended to do to her.
“Giovanni,” I heard my name called which stopped me in my tracks. “Giovanni,” again I heard my name. I turned to see who was calling me but I couldn’t see anyone through the darkness.
I watched Jo as she got further away and I knew it would be harder to catch her if I didn’t continue my pursued but something about the sound of that voice seemed so familiar. I looked over to side of me this time I spotted an old man standing near the rocky shore. His wrinkle face bore a firm smile as he approached me.
“Hello, do I know you?” I asked as we came face to face.
“Has it been so long that you do not recognize your own grandfather?” He asked while placing his hand on my shoulder.
My stomach dropped with the sound of his words. I did know him. I even remembered his scent and his unique smile.
“Juno…is that you?” I gasped while he took me into a firm embrace.
“Yes—Giovanni it is your Pop, Juno.” He pulled back to look at me. “I have waited for this moment for a long time.”
The thoughts of all the lies told to me throughout my life tore away my outer shell. Had I been lied to everything?
“How—is this possible I was told that you died years ago back in France?” I begged him.
He stood silently staring at me. I couldn’t believe that Abby had been correct this whole time. Why had my parents told me that Juno was dead?
“As you can see I am very much alive. I am afraid that I have no idea why you were told such a mistruth. I have been saving to come to America for years. Now I am here.”
“I know. I read your letters. Or at least as many as my nanny Abby could save for me.”
“You got my letters? I am glad to know that at least you got those. What do you mean that she had to save them for you?”
“Apparently she was instructed to destroy those letters but she disobeyed my parents by keeping them instead. She had barely gave me them at the beginning of the summer.”
“Such deceitfulness… I wish that I had been able to get here years ago. I wish that I had listened to the warnings of my friends back home who told me not to listen to this king. The whole family has mauvais sang… sorry for you English means evil blood. His family has evil blood.” He tried to explain further with some broken up English combined with French.
“I am afraid that I have to agree with your friends from back home. If my parents really did what it looks like they did; they must be evil.”
I backed up while looking at my feet trying to wrap my brain around the whole situation.
Blood-curdling screams came from the shoreline. Suddenly several people started to run passing us as they seemed to be heading towards the screaming.
“I don’t know some woman is floating in the water.” A person shouted to another person as they passed us.
My heart dropped as my thoughts went straight to Jo. What if it was her that was in the water? I had to do something.
I raced off without a thought passing everyone before reaching the shoreline and the crowd gathered there. I pushed my way to the front of the crowd where there was a body on the sand. Two people were hunched over the body concealing the identity of the person. I started to panic while I feared it was Jo laying there on the beach lifeless and cold. I moved around so that I could see better to bring my fears to an end.
“Abby… it that Abby?” I choked at the realization of the body’s identity.
“Gio…” Jo gasped while joining me. “Do you know her?”
“I do. She was my nanny, Abby.” I answered her before looking at her.
Our eyes locked as we stood there together in the knowledge that the killer might be getting closer to home.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Dedications
For Gregory
About the Author
Raven Crow, is a dark, psychological thriller author. She specializes in dark, dirty, love.
“Love can be fo
und in the darkest, spaces and it could dwell in the dirtiest, places.”
–Raven Crow
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Sinful is the second installment (2 of 20) in the new adult, psychological, thriller romance series Goddaughter.
Goddaughter reading order
Sinless
Sinful
Cursed
Blessed
Obsession
You have arrived at the last page of the book. I know you are sad. You turned every page like you had a mission or as if your very life depended on it. You have worked so hard to get this far. You have seen so much and yet you need more. I understand. I can relate to your ever passing need for a fix. To have that emptiness filled again. I can help. Join The Crow’s Nest, for a little extra serving of Dark, Dirty, Love that you’re missing. Also follow Raven Crow on Facebook you might meet another reader and maybe you’ll make a new friend.
