Page 5 of Daddies of the Underworld

What happened if he told the other two?

I had no doubt they were the ones watching us earlier from the terrace. I rushed into my room, closed the door, and leaned against it. This fairytale of mine no longer felt safe and innocent. It had grown teeth.

2

NINA

I woke to the sound of the sea. I’d missed that, almost forgotten it, but the sound familiarized itself in an instant.

Two summers ago, I’d been so exhausted I almost overslept every morning.

I had no time for the sea.

Today I lay still and closed my eyes, because I had a feeling that if I let myself keep withdrawing from the beauty in this world, I’d stop noticing them altogether. And that would be pure tragedy.

I dressed quickly and made my way to the kitchen, arriving before most of the other staff, and fixed an espresso on the machine Rosa pointed out yesterday as one of the perks of our station.

I moved to the window overlooking the lemon grove and sipped my coffee.

Sunlight painted the water in glorious streaks that mingled with the long shadows cast by the lemon trees.

A gardener moved between the trees with a pair of shears, unhurried in his pace and whistling loud enough it carried to my ears. Oh to be so unbothered.

Then again, I was standing in a remarkable kitchen with the best espresso I’d ever tasted.

I pressed my palm flat against the warm stone windowsill and tried not to think about kissing Luca last night.

For a moment when I woke, I’d thought it all a dream. If so, I hoped it returned every night.

“You’re up early.”

I turned with a smile. “Couldn’t sleep.”

Rosa stood in the doorway with her clipboard, her hair in a tidy bun, and no doubt already six steps ahead of the rest of the staff. “Nobody sleeps well the first week.” She crossed the room and fixed an espresso for herself, then stood beside me, her chin tipped up. “You’re going to have a full day. The summit runs from nine until at least eight tonight, which means we’re staffing two meal services and afternoon drinks. Then there’s the formal dinner tomorrow evening for the special guests. I need everyone sharp.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She glanced at me sideways. “You were seen with De Santis last night.” Her lips pressed into a tight, thin line. “While such things are not forbidden, though I think they should be, I would warn you to be careful.” She raised a hand when my lips parted. “I do not need an explanation. As I said, I think it should be within the code of conduct not to fraternize, but it’s believed that doing that would only cause more to seek to do so.”

My teeth shut with a sharp click.

Rosa set down her cup. “De Santis is charming, which means he’s the one who’s easiest to trust. You know what happens when trust is given blindly?”

I nodded. I’d seen it happen often enough, and the conversation I’d overhead last night settled deep in my bones.

Rosa nodded, picked up her clipboard, and walked out, leaving the warning hanging along with her perfume.

I stood alone a little longer, processing and watching the sun climb higher.

The magnificence of the villa was the sort of thing I hoped to never take for granted.

By the time the morning service began, Villa Belladonna had transformed into a purposeful expanse with the easy glamour of last night packed away.

Men moved through the corridors in small groups, their voices always too low to overhear.

Some carried documents pressed close to their chests, and they glared at anyone who walked too close to them.

Guards multiplied to cover every terrace door, each of them standing at relaxed attention.