Free Formidable: Shifters Forever Worlds (Ever After Dark Book 1) by Elle Thorne

Gio spoke.
    “How is it I never met you when you’ve been in Rome?”
    She smiled at the question, a logical one. “I was at a boarding school in Switzerland, and then on to London.”
    “And your parents? Wouldn’t I know them? My family is quite prevalent in Rome and Florence, though we aren’t flashy. We prefer to be low-key.
    “They traveled often until my father took ill. His business interests kept him on the road a lot.”
    “And he took ill…” Gio paused, as if waiting for her to tell him more.
    “Yes. And he arranged for a marriage between my sister and Bruno Vergo.”
    Gio made a sound of disgust. “Worthless scum.”
    “Agreed. You have no idea.”
    “Did he… He…” It was as if he couldn’t bring himself to say the words.
    “He hasn’t.”
    “He’ll die a slow death first.” Gio’s words blanketed Isabel with a sense of security she’d never encountered before.
    “So does your sister love this animal?”
    Isabel hissed, releasing the sound between clenched teeth. “God, no. No. No. She’s actually in love with another, though I’m not sure she’s completely ready to fully accept it.”
    Gio cocked his head, traced tiny circles on her arm with his thumb. “What’s that about?”
    “She’s in love with the one that Esmerelda is going to help her free, the lion shifter trapped in the wall.”
    “You’ve met him? This son of Marco Ricoletti?”
    “If you want to call meeting him while he’s trapped in a wall as such. We conversed. The only way to communicate with him is in our shifted forms.”
    “I can’t imagine how that must have been. Trapped in a wall. No contact, no one to touch, kiss, wrap his arms around.” Gio pulled her closer, leaned his chin on her shoulder.
    His breath ticked the hair against her neck. She couldn’t imagine how it must have been for Tino either.
    “I could stay like this forever, you know,” he whispered in her ear. “Right here, with you against me.”
    “Mmmm.” She understood completely what he meant.
    “But we should get back.”
    She nodded, unwilling to move away from him. “I suppose we should.”

18
    G io and Isabel’s ordeal lasted the whole night. The following morning, walking through the forest, the dew still perched on leaves and branches, Gio and Isabel made their way back to his property. He held her hand as if they’d always been like this, always the two of them. Neither spoke, enjoying the quiet.
    Standing at the back veranda on his villa, Gio studied her face, his expression intent. “Let’s see where we go from here?”
    Isabel paused then said, “Let’s.”
    “Gio.” Tito exited the double door and joined them. “Where have you been? You were gone all night.”
    “How are the children?” Gio didn’t address the question.
    “They are fine. Sound asleep in their rooms. Three guards on each. But you’ve had us worried. And you didn’t even take your phone with you. You know better.”
    Turn of events, Tito playing the older brother. Gio smothered a smile at his brother’s protectiveness.
    He turned to Isabel. “I’ve got some work to catch up on. See you at lunch? A late lunch, with the children?”
    Isabel nodded.

    * * *
    L ate lunch ? What was she supposed to do until then? A shower wouldn’t take that long. Neither would changing her clothing. And Isabel couldn’t spend a few hours alone. She wanted—needed—company. So she spent a few hours with Gio’s children. Their innocence and sweetness kept her grounded and her mind off of matters that were troubling. Like witches, traps, phantom tigresses, and a widowed alpha who had stolen her heart.
    So hours later, she and the children made their way to the backyard, where they’d have a picnic lunch on the patio under the immaculate and ever-present garden of topiaries.

    * * *
    G io watched Isabel and his children approach and it was as if this routine had been theirs forever. It was as if Isabel had forever been in his heart, in his tiger’s