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I don't fall into a full sleep, but it's still hard to return to the waking world when I feel Ashton slowly hit the brakes and declare. "We're here."
With a yawn, I sit up in the seat, and when I get a good look at the house, even in the dark, I'm flabbergasted. Dominic called it a house, but it's more like a mansion, with sprawling grounds and manicured gardens. It looks like it's been here forever, classic and formidable, with vines climbing up the stone exterior on one side. My tiredness is gone in an instant. "Holy crap," I whisper under my breath, making Ashton chuckle.
"Yeah, that's the usual reaction to the place."
I'm so busy staring that I nearly trip getting out of the vehicle, and then Ashton is leading me into the massive entryway, flicking on the light switch. The chandelier overhead flickers on, and I blink.
"Wow," is all I manage to say. Dominic mentioned having updated his family home, and I can immediately see the similarities between his house and his office back at Il Fiore Raro. The floors are a gorgeous dark hardwood, and the walls are painted a warm cream. A grand staircase greets us, and Ashton gestures towards it.
"I'll show you to your room," he says. "Follow me."
I do, feeling dwarfed by the huge house. I'm sure Dominic has a staff that comes and goes, but tonight the place is empty, and Ashton and I are the only ones inside.
"What do you do for Dominic?" I ask, just for something to talk about to take my mind off how intimidated I feel.
"I'm his head of security," Ashton replies. "I work pretty closely with him. We've known each other a long time."
"Huh. I can't imagine what working for Dominic Falcone would even be like. He's so...." I trail off, not sure what word to use.
"Powerful? Intimidating? Scary?" Ashton supplies, grinning.
"The first two, yeah, but scary? Not to me, somehow," I confess.
"Hm. Well. That makes you one in a million, I think."
Ashton shows me into one of the many rooms, and I'm blown away again. It's furnished beautifully, the bed huge and draped in a fluffy duvet and pillows. The colors here are softer, more feminine, and the attached bathroom is breathtaking, built with heated marble floors and antique brass fixtures on the enormous jacuzzi tub. "Wow."
"Hope it's up to your liking, Miss Linden."
"Daisy, please. And it's incredible." I turn in a small circle, trying not to squeal and flail like a little kid. "I've never been anywhere this nice. Never even seen anything this nice except in magazines."
"Well, then I'm glad you're here. And I'm sure Dominic will be, too. Just yell out the door if you need anything, I won't be far." He must see the nerves that are setting into me again because before he shuts the door, he adds, "Daisy, you're safe here. In fact, I don't think there is a single safer space on this planet than under Dominic Falcone's protection."
I nod, even though a part of me still feels a little guilty. Carlo is Dominic's son. His family. And he's the one putting me, this random woman, up in his house, even if Carlo did start it.
Ashton closes the door, leaving me alone, and I give into the excitement and flop onto the bed, laughing out loud at the luxurious way my body sinks down. "Wow," I mutter again, unable to keep the grin off my face. I could only dream about staying somewhere this nice.
For the next hour, I spend my time flipping through channels on the huge television, flipping through the random selection of books on the built-in bookcase, and wiggling my toes on the heated bathroom floor. I'm basically just trying to burn off anxious energy, knowing that soon enough, I'll be face-to-face with Dominic again.
That opportunity finally arrives with a small knock on the door.
"Come in!" I call, heart starting to race, but it isn't Dominic who enters. Instead, it's a small middle-aged woman, with her dark red hair pulled up into a tight bun. Behind her is Ashton, who helps her bring my things from my apartment before he departs, leaving me with the new woman.
"Hello, dear," she tells me, her voice warm. "I'm Elena, the household manager. Mr. Falcone wanted us to bring your things up and to tell you that he'd like you to join him for a late dinner in the breakfast nook if you're feeling up to it."
"Oh, yeah, definitely," I reply, wanting nothing more than to see Dominic again.
Elena takes a step closer, smiling. "Mr. Falcone has never had anyone stay here since I've been employed," she murmurs, looking me over. "Meaning he doesn't do things like this lightly, so I hope you're aware of the gravity of the situation, Miss Linden."
"Yes, Ashton made that clear, and please call me Daisy."
"Okay." Elena claps her hands together. "Daisy, I'm going to show you to the breakfast nook."
I follow Elena downstairs, and when we reach the kitchen, she gestures for me to go in alone, heading back the way we came. My stomach churns with butterflies, and I walk towards the nook, which is a little room with a table, built-in bench seating, and a large window that overlooks the backyard, which is illuminated close to the house but dark in the distance.
And then there’s Dominic. It's almost midnight, and he's stripped down to a white button-down, his sleeves rolled up over his impressive forearms. His tie is gone, the top buttons undone, revealing a tantalizing view of his strong neck and collarbones.
