“She said it was Gia,” Tori says quietly, and the silence hangs heavy in the air. She doesn’t even look at the other body. Just Giorgios’s. She might’ve been a fool in love, but it’s never comfortable to see the body of someone you were talking to so casually only days before.
“Take your time,” I say more gently than I’d usually offer most. Again, I wonder if it’s because she reminds me slightly of my sister. It only saddens me in the same way. Tori is learning a difficult lesson about what it is like to be part of this world, and she only dabbled on its edges. The only good thing about this is that it should be enough now to keep her away.
I quickly wash my hands and walk out to the reception area, where I find a woman with stark shoulder-length black hair. She is dressed in heels so high that I think I would break my ankle in them if I had to wear them. She turns, and I notice the designer bag on her shoulder. Her sunglasses, which also feature the same logo, sit on her head. At first, she doesn’t smile. She sees me and seems to assess me, as if she is working me out. She reminds me of someone, I just can’t yet place who.
“Hello,” I finally say.
“You work here?” she says, stepping forward.
“Evidently,” I answer her. She looks around, then glances back at me. I don’t like visitors, even when they’re paying. I especially feel like my time is being wasted when they’re not. “Was there a reason you needed to see me?” I finally ask.
“Yes, I wanted to talk to you about Silas.”
Instantly, I freeze at the sound of his name leaving her lips. She notices and smirks as she steps closer, placing her purse on the counter between us, and keeps her eyes on me. “Don’tworry, I am not some crazy ex, but I do want to know what your intentions are with him?”
“For him to leave me alone,” I put simply. “Now, if that is all, I have work to do.” I go to leave, but she keeps talking.
“Most women would not ask him to leave them alone. Actually, it’s quite the opposite.”
“I’m happy for them,” I tell her, looking back at her. “If you want him, and are here to suss out the competition, don’t bother.”
“Oh, I don’t want him…” She laughs, and I turn around. “He’s my brother.”
Now that I am looking at her, I can see the resemblance. They both have those fierce eyes, almost like they are reading you when they look at you.
“And you what, came here to see if I was good enough for your brother?”
“Something like that.”
“I see…”
“You see?” she asks. “You are very stunning to look at.” She waves a hand at me. “No makeup and dressed in all black. Has an attitude.” I raise a brow at her. “Not his usual type.”
“As in submissive?” I’m quick to say, and that smile of hers widens, almost as if approvingly. But I’m not here to get to know the family, especially since I’ve made up my mind to step further away. Now that this business with the Nero family is dealt with, Silas has little to hold over me.
I’m not sure if she is here to make fun of the way I look or just be a bitch. Either way, I don’t have time for this.
“Tell your brother, just because I told him he can never come in again, doesn’t mean he can send his family.”
“Oh, he doesn’t know I’m here, and did he actually listen to that request?” she asks.
“So far…” I tell her.
“Interesting, the only person he listens to is my daughter.” She smiles. “It was nice to meet you…” She steps forward and offers me her hand. “I’m Gia.” I look at her hand and back at her face.
“My hand was just in a body pulling out someone’s kidney,” I lie. Not yet, anyway. Instantly, she pulls it back. “I would say it was nice to meet you, but I do not understand why you’re here…” I tell her.
“I’m protective of my brother,” she says.
“I don’t plan to kill him, unless he continues to piss me off.” I smile at her.
“I’m not sure if you’re joking or not,” she murmurs.
I don’t answer her and let her come to her own conclusion. “Okay, well, bye.” She picks up her purse and carries it out the door. I don’t stop watching her until she slides into her convertible.
So that’s Silas’s sister, huh?
Tori walks into the reception. She’s shades paler and looks like she’s been crying, but she goes to the cash drawer to start work.
