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“That’s not exactly what I asked,” I said.
He grew angry. “Perhaps you don’t realize how gravely you’re insulting me right now.”
Now I was angry.
“Adriano told me not to talk to you about it. He said you’re a five-star general, and I’m supposed to say ‘yes, sir’ and ‘no, sir’ and keep my mouth shut. But I didn’t come here to work for a five-star general – I came here to help my friend. But if I’m not allowed to speak my mind to my friend – ”
Dario immediately softened. “It’s not like that.”
“Then what’s it like, exactly?”
“It’s true, there’s a certain level of… decorum that has to be observed now that I’m head of the family. And I would appreciate it if you observe that decorum when others are present… but you are my friend. You had my back when we were knee-deep in shit – ”
“More like neck-deep,” I said.
Dario smiled and nodded. “Yes. Neck-deep. I might not be able to act as casually as I once did when we’re around others… because of the trappings that come with my new position… but you can always come to me privately and speak your mind. Always.”
I was mollified by that and calmed down. “Thank you. So… what’s up with the girl?”
He grinned. “She’s something, isn’t she?”
I cocked an eyebrow. “Yeah, but – ”
“You don’t have to worry. My intentions towards her are…” He paused. “Maybe ‘honorable’ isn’t the right word – ”
“You’re not reassuring me,” I said darkly.
“I was thinking of this very thing last night when I saw her for the first time. I remembered a quote from a movie where an ancient Roman senator was close to taking control of the empire. Someone suggested he order his legions of soldiers to march on the city, and he replied, I shall NOT violate Rome at the moment of possessing her.”
“…that’s supposed to reassure me?”
“I will not harm her. I promise you that.”
“There’s a lot of grey area before you get to ‘harm,’” I pointed out.
He smiled as he backed away – almost jauntily. “As I said… she’ll beg me for it before I cross that line.”
“Dario – ”
“Do me a favor, will you? Keep watch over her. I want her protected at all times, day and night.”
“Is it others she needs to be protected from?” I asked sardonically. “Or you?”
He just laughed. “Trust me, my friend. This one’s special – I realize that.”
“Il solo e unico?” I asked.
The one and only?
He scoffed. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
Then he grinned again and continued on down the hall.
132
Whatever game Dario was playing with Alessandra, she didn’t appear to be happy about it.
That became crystal clear the day she tried to escape.
