“They smell bad, don’t they?” I flush. “I used to live on a farm. The animals… that smell gets on everything.”
“A farm. With just you and your mother. No father. How interesting.”
“I guess?” I don’t understand Leo sometimes. He has a funny way of speaking.
He pulls away from me, giving me the chance to breathe. “Let’s go get you some new clothes.”
Leo
Now that Emma has had a chance to take a bath and wash her hair, I can tell that she’s a beautiful woman. Younger than my thirty years but not too young. Clearly innocent.
Or she’s lying.
I know she’s the daughter of Alessandro Greco. Either she truly doesn’t know or she’s trying to make me think she doesn’t know. No one can be that innocent. I refuse to believe it. Not in the world of the mafia and Emma is a mafia man’s daughter through and through. Hell, she even looks like Alessandro and Giovanni. It makes my stomach twist, knowing how evil those two men were. Emma surely has to have the same kind of darkness in her. It’s a stain from family.
I know that well.
My father was a mafia man who killed himself. That stain has followed me for years. A lot of the men I work with are worried I’ll do the same to myself but dying is the last thing I want. What I want is to live. Truly live.
But I can’t do that when I know Alessandro is coming for us and I can stop him… by using Emma.
She is pretty though, I have to admit to myself as we arrive at a clothing shop. A simple, pure beauty. Nothing flashy. A girl-next door type.
It’s all a deception though. More than likely Alessandro sent her to act like a victim and get me to care for her so he can use her against me and take me and Gabriel down.
Emma is quiet as she looks at the clothes. There’s something she’s not telling me, that much is obvious. So I know she’s a liar. It’s just a matter of how much.
“You can pick out anything,” I tell her.
“Anything?” she squeaks. “This dress is so much money.” She holds up a simple, lavender dress that would look pretty with her skin tone and hair.
“I can afford it. Everything is on me today. Trust me. You don’t have to pay me back. Pick out as many clothes as you want.” Why am I buying clothes for the enemy? I’m not quite sure. It beats having to smell Emma’s old clothes and frankly, she’s too pretty to not wear something nice. I can kidnap her with kindness instead of brute strength. I always did like charming women.
“Are you sure?” she asks, biting her lip. My eyes flick down to them. Her cheeks turn red. How cute. She’s shy.
“I’m sure. Buy whatever you want.” I snap my fingers and the nearest sale associate comes running over. “Get a changing room ready for my friend. She’ll be trying on a lot of different outfits.”
“Of course, Mr. Detti,” she breathes out before running off.
“She knows who you are?” Emma asks.
“I’ve come here before. Many times.”
“You have power. I can tell.”
“I do.” I don’t mention how being the right hand to the biggest mafia boss in the city has its advantages.
“Who exactly are you?” she asks. “You’re a kind man who’s helping me out but… are people truly this kind?”
No. “They can be,” I say instead. “I want to help you, Emma. Just trust me.”
She frowns but nods before turning away from me.
Emma picks out four dresses to try on. I settle on the couch before the changing rooms and check my watch. It’s only been an hour but it feels like forever. Emma almost walked right out of my house this morning and then I would have lost her. I can’t risk that happening. I need to keep her at my home without her getting suspicious. The moment Alessandro makes himself known, I’ll tell him that I have his daughter and he better comply or I’ll hurt her.
Emma steps out of the changing room in the lavender silk dress. It hugs her body perfectly, ending around her knees and showcasing her breasts. She has a good body, I’ll give her that.
She also looks… stunning. Like a model, even though she’s too short to be one.
