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He grabs the back of my head and puts his forehead to mine, sucking the air from my lungs, leaving me breathless.
“I don’t want to break you.”
With that, he storms away.
Whatever.
After I shower and change, I go to the kitchen. I halt seeing an older lady unpacking groceries. A warm smile curves her lips.
“I am Gianna, the housekeeper.”
“Hi, I’m Chiara.”
“What would you like for breakfast?”
“Coffee.”
“That’s not breakfast.” She scowls, and it reminds me of my nonna. “I’ll prepare you something.”
“What does Cato like?”
I clamp my mouth shut but she smiles at me. “Toast. One with ham and cheese and one with an egg.”
It sounds so normal for someone like him.
I plop down on the chair, and the elevator pings open, two suits stepping inside. They introduce themselves as Andrea and Lorenzo. They both have athletic figures and sharp gazes. I know they would die to protect me if it came to that. The urge to apologize rises, but they chose this life.
After Gianna makes pancakes, with both sweet and salty ingredients, I decide to test my freedom.
“I would like to go out.”
“Where?” Lorenzo asks.
Interesting. I googled this shop where I could buy new supplies for my jewelry and give them the address. When Lorenzo parks in front of the store, Andrea opens the door for me. Stepping out, the sun caresses my skin.
They walk behind, and I can almost ignore them. Inside the exclusive jewelry craft shop, my heart bursts with excitement. I put everything I need and want in my cart and go to pay with the Amex Cato gave me. I hope it puts a dent in his fortune. Maybe if I spend all his money, he won’t want me anymore? Something unpleasant strikes my chest, and I shove that thought away. Now that I know I am not a prisoner, I want to go back to his place and start right away, my fingers aching to create something.
Back home, the staff brings everything in a small room I picked out as my studio. I thank them and I place the diamonds, beads, and spikes of gold, pearls, and other jewelry paraphernalia on the table.
I never think about what I will create. I simply let my creativity lead me. Hours into it, I hold a necklace in my hands. My back is killing me, and I stretch when the door opens.
Gianna’s kind face appears. “You have to eat something.” She sees my necklace and smiles appreciatively. “That’s beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
Emotions gather inside me. This is all I have wanted to do, make my jewelry and have a life outside of the mafia. But I won’t let despair rule me. I will adapt. At least for a while, I’ll be a chameleon, until I can bide my time and leave. I have to be smart about my moves. I need to earn Cato’s trust first. Smiling to myself, I place my golden necklace with a rose pendant on the desk next to the leather bracelet with fine white golden wires threaded through it.
After I eat, I explore the house. The inside pool calls to me, and I change into a bikini, going for a swim.
Getting tired, I go back to the bedroom. I let sleep take me in with a sigh. It’s past midnight, and he hasn’t come back.
It doesn’t bother me. Not at all. Not in the slightest.
Chapter 18
On the way to the compound, I call Kieran, who’s still on his fucking honeymoon. Lucky bastard. I tell him about my wife’s failed attempt to kill me. I’m grinning like an idiot. Fuck, she was hot and what happened afterward was even hotter.
“At least you were prepared.”
