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Not. Sergio.
I open the door to find a younger version of Sergio, with the same dark hair and eyes that pierce right through you, standing outside with a sheaf of papers in his hand.
“Timeo Montavio,” he says. “Sergio’s younger brother. Sergio asked me to bring this to you and for you to tell me if there’s anything else you need.”He gives me a grin that would melt my into a puddle if I didn’t have a thing for his older brother. But thanks to the crush I wish I could quelch, I’m unmoved.
I stare at the papers. “Thank you.”
“Okay, so…if you need anything, let me know.” He smiles. “And welcome aboard. My brother does not hire anyone lightly, so I look forward to seeing how good your food is.” He rubs his belly and frowns. “Soon.Ciao, bella.”
As he walks away, I muse at the wonder of the Montavio family genes that somehow manage to make these guys scary and charming all at once, like they’d just as soon punch someone who double-crossed them with their right hand while pouring me a glass of wine or holding the door open for me with their left.
Interesting.
Not that I care about Timeo, younger brother, as it were. I mean, he’s nice and all…
I shake my head and look down at the papers Timeo gave me, unfolding the envelope that readssalaryin bold ink.
I stare at the numbers.
I blink. I stare again.
He’s paying mehow much?
I yell after Timeo before he’s out of sight. “Um. Timeo?”
He’s almost at the end of the hall when he turns and looks back at me. “Yeah?”
“I think you gave me the wrong one,” I say with a laugh. “This can’t possibly be achef’ssalary.”
Timeo snorts. “Believe me, you didn’t get the wrong one. We pay our staff well, Eden. He doesn’t want you to go. So, welcome.”
My heart soars. I’ve only seen a sliver of this club, but now I’ve met Timeo, Sergio’s brother, his cousins Mario, Marialena, and Rosa. Just being around them makes me wish I could know all of them better.
I look between the slip in my hand and Timeo’s retreating back.
This is… this iscrazymoney. This is the kind of money Seth would only dream of making. I almost want to rip this paper into shreds at the injustice of it all.
It took memonthsto earn a hundred dollars so I could buy a bus ticket out of there. If I were to take this salary, I’d practically earn thatbefore I had my morning coffee.
How richisSergio?
Do I care?
This will be enough money to get a place of my own. To hire someone to go with me to extricate my sister from the madness she’s trapped in and provide for her. It’ll be enough money to change everything.
And yet…
Are there strings attached to this that I don’t know about?
Andwhyhasn’t he come here in days?
I pace the small room and ask myself,why am I here?I’ve looked at nothing but these bare walls and the kitchen since I got here.
I make up my mind then. I did not leave one prison only to place myself in another.
He said I can’t explore the other areas of his club. Fine. He didn’t say I couldn’t explore thecity.
The thought sends a thrill down my spine.
