“Right? It’s crazy. Me!” He pointed to his chest. “A homeless boy from Little Italy. If only they could see me now.”
“Too bad you killed them all,” I smirked. We shared a smile, both remembering that day—that gloriously bloody day.
He pointed his finger at me and nodded. “It’s been too long, Desiderio, too long.” He motioned for me to follow him back out and finish the tour. “Come on. I’ve got lots to show you.”
He took me through his large home and showed me room after room of expensive furniture, art, and decorations.
“You have this place all to yourself? That’s not like you.” I commented as we finished the tour, and he took me to his lounge for a drink. I sat down on a leather couch and waited for him to make me one.
“It’s quiet tonight, as I was expecting you and wanted to greet you one on one. Usually, I have numerous guests. I host a club of sorts.” He poured us two tumblers of whiskey and handed me mine. We toasted and drank. “I don’t keep food in the house. I hope that’s alright.” He sat down across from me in a matching leather armchair.
I waved off his concerns and tilted my glass in his direction. “I don’t eat. Just the cinnamon.” I pulled another wrapped candy from my pocket and popped it in my mouth. He laughed.
“I’ll have to get some of that flavored whiskey for the house.” He reached for the bottle and topped off our drinks.
“So, what’s this Corrine was telling me about, about you having a job for me?” I sighed, rotating my glass slowly in my hand to let the liquid inside swirl.
“Yeah, what’s up with that? You need money?”
“Fuck you,” I snarled. “I’ve got money. She seems to think that someone is targeting us, and she needs me to watch but not be seen.”
He blinked. His silver eyes lit up with interest. “She thinks I’m next? We don’t even know where Ludovica is. How does she know someone’s targeting us?”
“She doesn’t. She’s paranoid.” I shook my head. “I’m doing this as a favor to an old friend. Personally, I think Elvie is probably just avoiding something she was supposed to do and forgot about.”
“That does sound like her,” he muttered. He brought his drink to his lips and drank. “I’ve got a job that’s yours if you want it. You’re going to be bored.”
“I already am.” I rolled my eyes. “It shouldn’t be for long. Just until Ludovica shows her face again.”
“And if she doesn’t?” Arsenio’s eyes darkened.
I paused, then cocked my head. “You think she won’t? You think something might be wrong?”
“I don’t know. But if something is going on, we would have wasted time thinking there wasn’t. If we take it seriously from day one, then maybe we can get to the bottom of things faster.” He tapped his forefinger on his glass. I watched it as I took in his words.
“You always were the wise one. No wonder you have done so well for yourself. You’re right. While I still believe she’s hiding from something juvenile, we need to treat it as something otherwise. I’ll take whatever minimum wage bullshit you have for me to lay low while I look into things.”
He chuckled, relaxing the tension in the room. “I’ll pay you a manager’s wage.”
“Don’t expect me to be a model employee.” I shot a look at him. He laughed and reached forward to shake my hand.
“You’ve got a deal, friend. Finish up, and I’ll take you over to the theater.” He slammed his drink and stood.
“Theater?” I finished my drink, handing the empty glass to him as I got up and followed.
“Yes. A movie theater. I bought it about five years ago. It’s quite popular with the blood community.” He paused as we walked past the kitchen. “You thirsty? I prefer a warm body, but I always keep the fridge stocked for guests.”
I waved him off and shook my head. “I just drank. Thanks.”
He nodded, and we quickly left his house to climb into his Cadillac.
“I bought it brand new. They kept trying to sell me on the green one, but I told them the CT five looks better inred.” He bragged. I shook my head. The man always had a thing for cars.
“I like that Equinox you got. Great for you, the wife, and the kids.” Arsenio smirked. I laughed.
“Oh yeah, they love it. We’re planning a trip to Disney World and the Grand Canyon this summer.” I flipped him off and then turned to watch the road from my window.
“Still single, eh?” he asked.
