The Alpha King's Contracted Luna (Ava and Grayson)
My Billionaire King 39

Chapter 39

Grayson's POV-

Italy had been an impulse decision.

Honestly, I didn't even know why I did it. She mentioned pizza, and immediately, I thought of one of the restaurants I owned, which just so h Now that we were here, I thought back to Carter's words and decided I'd check on the progress of the situation myself. Tv days should be e I made the arrangements while she ate, stumbling across one tiny issue. The hotel that had penthouse suite I preferred ha no other rooms a for booking tonight. So, I had two choices-either wait until tomorrow or share a room with Av

I'd chosen the latter. From the look on her face right now, I could guess she was going to react even worse when I told ner

that.

"What do you mean we're staying for another two days?” she whisper-

yelled, her voice tight with irritation. "I have work. I have wedding plans. You can't just whisk me off to Italy and then tell me I'm staying for t

I'd already sorted it all out. According to what Eliza had sent to her workplace, Ava was still “traumatized' from the near-

death situation and would only be able to resume work on Monday.

That had been Eliza's idea. For once, a PA was actually thinking on her feet..

As for the wedding. I had Eliza reach out to Isabella to handle the planning for the next two days, knowing she and Ava wen working on it to “Grayson, are you even listening to me?” she snapped, her eyes narrowed.

I looked up from my phone, “Yes. You just finished making a speech about how this is wrong, how I promised not to control your life, and ho She glared at me, her jaw tight. “You think this is funny?”

"No, but I think you're overreacting. I've taken care of everything. You'll resume on Monday, and your friend will handle the wedding plans ir if you'll be attending her birthday party next Saturday."

Ava blinked, taken aback. "What birthday party?"

"The one she politely asked me to invite you to," I said, matter-of-

factly. "I got distracted when I was attacked."

Her lips pressed into a thin line, and she huffed, clearly irritated “You are unbelievable. You're so... insufferable. This isn't fair, Grayson. Wh

I raised an eyebrow, but before I could respond, she

groaned. “Don't answer that. It's Italy. For the record. I do not approve of this."

A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips, and I could see her narrow her eyes at me in response. Just then, the chef- Giovanni approached, breaking the tension.

“Signorina, did you enjoy the meal?” he asked, his eyes lighting as he beamed down at her.

Ava switched gears quickly, placing a practiced-

smile on her face Oli, I absolutely loved it! The best I've had in a long time."

He smiled even wider, and I swore I saw a slight blush creep up is cheeks. Old as he was, it didn't stop the possessive surge

09:01 Fri, Dec 13

Chapter 39

that coursed through me. He's old enough to be her grandfather, I reminded myself. Still, I didn't like that he was lookin

her all.

No matter how much trust I had put in him enough to hand the reins of one of my restaurants to him.

He turned to me next. "Signor Blackwood, would you like to try anything?”

Before I could respond, Ava jumped in, her tone too innocent to be genuine. “Grayson ha fame e morirebbe per quella pizza!" (Grayson is starving and would die for that pizza!“)

I shot her a sharp look, my eyes narrowing. The reminder that she spoke seven languages suddenly clicked. She gave me overly sweet sm Giovanni's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. “Parli italiano?” (“Do you speak Italian?")

She smiled even bigger, "Si. Fluidamente." ("Yes. Fluently.")

He turned to me, “Bella e intelligente. Molto bene, Signor Black Wood. Preparerò subito la migliore pizza per leil” (Beautif and smart. Very g

He bustled off before I could correct the situation. I turned to Ava, still glaring. “I said I wasn't hungry.”

She shrugged nonchalantly, leaning back in her chair. "I thought we were making decisions for each other now."

A growl rumbled low in my chest–instinctive, primal–

and I clenched my fists, trying to keep my irritation in check. My wolf stirred within me, strangely approving of her boldness. It only fueled m Her eyes flicked up to meet mine, a teasing glint in them. "What You can whisk me off to Italy without asking, but I can't order you a pizza?”

I leaned forward, my voice low. "That's different, and you know it"

"Is it, though?" she shot back, not missing a

beat. “Seems pretty similar to me. You make decisions without asking: I make decisions without asking. Fair's fair.”

I stared at her, unblinking, wondering what exactly she thought he was getting out of this. Her defiance, her audacity-

it should have pissed me off. Hell, it did piss me off. But at the same time, there was something about it... something that made the corner c

I quickly smothered the urge. "You really want to play this game

She tilted her head, pretending to consider it. "Well, it's not like have anything else to do for the next two days. You made sure of that."

The casual way she threw that jab at me made me pause. She was still angry, I could tell. But underneath that anger, there was something us since we first met, a tension we both pretended didn't exist.

I leaned back, crossing my arms, my eyes never leaving hers. "Fine. Play your game. But don't be surprised when I win."

She rolled her eyes. "Typical Always have to win, don't you?"

“Always,” I said simply, my voice flat.

Giovanni returned at that moment, carrying the pizza. He placed it in front of me with a flourish, smiling proudly. "Here you go! The best pizz

1. TG.

09:01 Fri, Dec 13 TO

Chapter 39

I forced a polite smile. “Grazie Giovanni."

As the chef left, Ava watched me expectantly, waiting for me to eat. I stared at the pizza, then back at her. “Satisfied?"

She shrugged, feigning indifference. “I'm sure it's great.

I picked up a slice, not breaking eye contact with her as I took a bite. The flavors exploded on my tongue, but I refused t give her the satisfa

"Well?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

wiped my mouth with a napkin. "It's fine."

Ava laughed, shaking her head. “You're impossible.”

I smirked. "So I've been told."

For a moment, the tension between us seemed to ease. But then her smile faded, and she leaned forward, her expression serious. “Grayso

I met her gaze, my expression unreadable. "I do what needs to be done."

"That's not an answer," she said softly. "You can't control everything. I've been controlled all my life and you promised you would not do the

I didn't reply. Because, deep down, I knew she was right.

But admitting that? Never.

She sighed, pushing her chair back and standing up. "I need some air."

I watched as she walked away, my chest tightening in a way I didn't expect. This was new-

this feeling, this uncertainty. And I wasn't sure how to deal with it.

A feeling that, for the first time, I might not have all the control thought I did.

I sat down for a moment, picking at the pizza. To my surprise, I found I

was genuinely hungry, and by the time I finished every last bite on my plate, I felt a bit more satisfied. But Ava had spent enough time outsi

As I scanned the area, my irritation deepened; she was nowhere in sight. Just as I pulled out my phone to have someone track her down, a

He was a child. That was the only reason I didn't glare and nodded instead. He beamed at me. “Una donra molto bella mi tia

give this to you.“) chiesto di consegnarle questo.” (A very beautiful woman asked me to

He extended a folded note, and without thinking, I slipped him some cash. The boy's eyes it up, and he took the money with a huge grin be

I ripped open the note from Ava, my annoyance flaring up again as I read the words scrawled

"You want to play this game? Then let's play. Catch me if you can, Signor Blackwood."

Fri, Dec 13