Then he’s gone like a ghost.
I jump as my phone vibrates in my pocket. It’s Lucia.
Bruno is stable. They have him in a medically induced coma to try to reduce some of the swelling. Did you find the chess set?
No. It’s not in the basement. It must still be at Mama’s.
You went into the basement with Dominic?
Yes. He’s helping me with the case after all.
Are your panties still on or did they come off?
I send her the middle finger emoji to which she responds with the laughing hysterically emoji.
I put my phone down and scowl. What did I think was going to happen when Dominic pulled a piece of dust out of my hair. Did I expect him to throw himself at me after all these years? And who knows if he’s even dating anyone, but then again if he was, he wouldn’t be asking me to go with him to a gala.
I run my fingers through my hair. Lucia is right. I could never control myself around Dominic but I won’t tell her that.
How ironic. I’m going crazy searching for a chess board when I’m playing chess in real life.
What the hell was I thinking getting involved with Dominic Cartieri again?
Chapter ten
“Ouch! Luci! Not so tight,” I gasp as my hands fly to my waist. “I’m still injured, remember. I want to be able to sit down and maybe eat.” Waves of pain flow through me and I make a mental note to take one of my medications before I leave.
“Ragazza, food is going to be the last thing on your mind when you see how snatched you look in this dress.” Lucia tightens the laces on the back of my dress. “Go look at yourself in the mirror.”
The satin is smooth under my fingers as I walk over to the mirror and stop short as I see my reflection. This dress has been sitting at the back of my closet for months waiting for a special occasion. It appears that time has arrived.
Emerald fabric hugs my curves in all the right places like it was stitched onto my skin. A slit runs up my left thigh and the bodice is a corset that makes my waist look like an hourglass. The top of the dress is off-the-shoulder with long sleeves. My hair hangs in loose waves. An emerald necklace, earrings, and bracelet complete the look.
“Dominic is going to lose his mind when he sees you looking like this.” Lucia folds her arms and leans against the wall. A mischievous look is plastered on her face like she planned this.
“No, he isn’t. This is a business arrangement and he hates everything I stand for.” I grab a tube of lip gloss from the vanity and begin applying it.
“Looking like that, everything you stand for is going to go out the window. You have the vision of a very powerful, alluring, seductive woman.”
“Shut up.” I roll my eyes and shove the cap back onto the lip gloss.
My phone dings with the security camera chime. Before I can look, I hear the front door open and close, then footsteps running up the steps.
“Did I miss it?” Matteo’s voice echoes through the hall.
I don’t have a chance to react before his frame is standing in the doorway to my room.
“Wow! Cugina!” Matteo whistles. “You are definitely getting some tonight.”
“What the fuck Matteo,” I whirl around. “What are you doing here?”
“I told him what was going on and he wanted to come see.” Lucia grabs an emerald hairpiece and inserts it into my hair.
I place my hands on my hips, wincing slightly. “I thought you two were so against me hiring Dominic to figure out this mystery.”
“Oh, we are,” Lucia confirms. “But with all this talk of death and somberness we need something to lighten the mood.”
“And your sex life happens to be it,” Matteo laughs. “I mean someone is trying to kill you after all, might as well enjoy yourself and get laid. Besides Luci and I already bet your panties are coming off tonight.”
