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“Well, he did,” Signor Barroni says, still fanning his face with the newspaper. He’s leaning back in his chair, relaxed as if this was an everyday conversation for him.
“Why would he do that? It makes no sense,” I say, clinging to my feeble conviction.
“To keep you safe.”
What?!
“Keep me safe? Why am I in danger?” I ask, doubts sprouting in my gut like weeds after the rain.
Signor Barroni studies me for a few long seconds before he continues. “You’re at Gualtiero’s home. It has maximum security. Nobody will get to you here.”
And I won’t be able to get out—I’m sure it’s the real reason he stresses this point.
My annoyance is winning over the anxiety and shock from moments earlier.
“You haven’t answered my question. Why am I in danger?” I repeat.
“Gualtiero has enemies. Enemies who won’t hesitate to use you against him.”
“And how do I know you’re not his enemy? You say you’re his adviser, but you could tell me anything. And even if you were working for him, how do I know you’re really the good guy?”
I don’t trust this man. There’s just something about him that puts me on edge.
He regards me with bored eyes and doesn’t dignify my outburst with an answer.
“Okay, then… Let me get this straight. You’re saying that Gualtiero De Marco had you kidnap me. And now he keeps me here at this maximum-security mansion to keep me safe? Is this some kind of joke?”
“Kidnapping isn’t the right word,” he objects. “We prefer to call it safe-keeping.”
“I amnotan object to keep. Would I have come voluntarily with you? Hell, no. You drugged me and brought me here against my will. Thatiskidnapping,” I shout.
“Semantics. The outcome is still the same. You are better off here.”
I huff at that. Who is he to decide what’s best for me?
“Am I?!” I say sarcastically. “Why would anybody want to usemeagainst Gualtiero? I’m nobody special.”
“You’ve become important to him…”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” I interrupt.“I’ve known the man a little more than a week! How important can I be?!”
He laughs humorlessly. “You’ve been out in public together. Anybody with eyes can see the way he looks at you.” He scowls at me, clearly not happy.
“I’ve known Gualtiero since he was born, and what he has with you goes far beyond what he’s had with any other woman. He has never taken days off work to spend withsomeone. Since he met, he spent three full days with you and has seen you every day before that. It’s a fact that hasn’t gone unnoticed. Gualtiero is closely watched by his enemies. They’ve been patiently waiting for him to slip up. And you’re the kind of opportunity they need.”
“If I’m making him so weak, it’s even more reason to let me disappear from his life.”
“It’s already too late for that. More importantly, Gualtiero doesn’t want you to disappear. He wants you in his life. And if you play your cards right, you can live a life beyond your wildest dreams.”
“You have to be kidding me! I don’t want that,” I growl.
“You have little say in the matter.” He shrugs. “Gualtiero is the boss. What he wants, he gets. You’ll come to accept it. As I said, play your cards right and he’ll give you more than you’ve ever dreamed of.”
Is this guy for real?! He steals me away from my life and expects me to just accept it and be happy I snatched myself a rich guy?
“Right now, I’m dreaming of not being a prisoner,” I retort, anger obvious in my voice.
“You’re not a prisoner,you’re a distinguished guest,” Emiliano Barroni says nonchalantly.
