Dangerous Wager

Giovanni didn't turn around. "I’m not going to waste my time sparring with you." "Why not?" I moved to stand in front of him, forcing him to acknowledge me. "Afraid I'll make you look bad in front of your men?" Giovanni turned and looked at me, and there was something almost pitiful in his expression. "You're too small." Heat flooded my face, humiliation and fury mixing together. "I beat Enzo." Giovanni's eyes flicked past me to where Enzo stood. Enzo, to his credit, gave a single, reluctant nod. Something shifted in Giovanni's expression. He studied me for a long moment, and I could almost see him turning it over in his mind. "Fine," he said finally. The guards immediately stepped back, creating a wide circle. I heard footsteps and I caught sight of the maids peering through doorways positioning themselves for a better view. "What's the wager?" I asked, surprised by how steady my voice sounded. Giovanni's lips curved into something that wasn't quite a smile. "You set the ter