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“Oriana is assigned as your security detail, along with Alonso. Under no circumstances are you allowed to go anywhere without them. Is this understood?”
I widen my eyes at him. Is he seriously expecting an answer?
“They’ll take you to the spa now. I’ve booked you in for a massage,” Gualtiero says. “I’ll see you for lunch at one o’clock at Sergio’s.”
He walks to my side of the desk and bends to kiss me on the forehead. From my periphery, I notice Oriana watching us. And she’s glaring at me, her eyes shooting daggers.
Wow, what did I ever do to her? Other than throw a little reptile in her direction. Really, though, it was her fault. Why was she standing so close?
As Gualtiero straightens, she looks at him, and her eyes glow. Hmm, isn’t that interesting? I think she has a crush on him. I won’t expect a Christmas card from her then.
After Gualtiero disappears, Alonso opens the door, “Shall we, Miss O’Neil?”
He’s so formal now. Gone is the man I laughed with speed stacking cups. God, I wish we were back on the island. Life was much more pleasant there.
Oriana walks out first, and, like the obedient lamb Gualtiero wants me to be, I follow, letting Alonso shadow my back. Let them think I’m compliant… I need Gualtiero and his crew to trust me so I can get the hell away at the first opportunity.
Outside, I slip into the backseat of the parked SUV. The security screen is lowered again. I watch Oriana as she walks around the car to get into the front seat, nodding a greeting to Fabio.
She’s wearing a black suit like all the guys and a white blouse underneath. Her long, flat, black hair is in a high ponytail. She looks fairly plain, neither ugly nor pretty. Her nose seems slightly bent, as if it had been broken before. She blends in with the others. Nothing stands out about her, which, I suppose, is the aim… to be there but not be seen.
Alonso slides in beside me, and I can’t help the eye roll.
Are they expecting me to jump from a moving vehicle?
Three other goons get into the car behind us, and we’re on the move again. As I look out of the window, another car pulls up at the entrance. Two guys step out and drag a disheveled-looking man into the building, who kicks and screams.
Jeepers, I don’t want to know what’s in store for him. The thought sickens me.
I turn away from the ugly sight and take a deep breath to dislodge the sudden discomfort.
What has this man done to be brought before the don? Is he a criminal, or an innocent like me caught in a web he doesn’t understand?
What is this world I have been thrown into?
No, no… I don’t want answers to that question.
At the spa, I choose a package that includes an extra-long massage, a facial, and a pedicure. It sounds heavenly, and I can’t wait. And it’s long… three hours to be exact.
The longer the better. It will make me late for lunch.
It’s my way of rebelling.
It will also give me time on my own to make plans without the ever-watchful eyes on me.
To my horror, Oriana follows me inside the treatment room.
What the…?
The reason why I suddenly have a female guard becomes obvious. Damn Gualtiero for thinking of everything. Part of me had hoped to somehow sneak out, given I thought I’d be going in alone.
“You can wait outside,” I tell Oriana.
Her cold eyes rest on me, and I see the disdain she holds for me. “No,” she says icily, challenging, “I’m staying.”
Is Oriana kidding me?! She’s staying? To do what exactly?
“That’s not necessary. Nobody can get into this room if you stand in front of it,” I say, matching her tone. “As you can see, there are no windows or doors other than the one we came through.” I wave around the room to make my point.
