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"Because," I say, meeting her gaze with determination, "my father recently went through the same thing, and he's in jail for likely the rest of his life. So yes, I do understand."
Her expression softens, and she nods. "Alright." She swallows hard, then continues, "I'm just worried about my family. I've heard from my mom, but I can't tell if she's really safe or just trying to make me feel better."
"I'm sorry for your worry," I say, genuinely meaning it. "But you need to trust that things will improve once the trial is over."
Lulu shakes her head, uncertainty etched on her face. "I'm not so sure. Without my father, the Miami underworld could become very dangerous."
"Tell me more," I urge, leaning back in my chair as Lulu hesitates in the doorway. The light from the office window catches her curls, casting a halo around her head that belies the darkness of our conversation.
"Before my father took over, Miami was a war zone," she begins, eyes distant with memories. "Gangs fought for control, crime rates skyrocketed, and the legal system... it's so corrupt it just let these things fester."
I watch her closely, taking in the worry etched on her face as she speaks. My heart clenches at the thought of her family being caught in the crossfire of a mob war.
"Your father managed to bring some semblance of peace, then?" I ask, trying to make sense of the situation.
She nods, determination flashing across her features. "He did. But with him out of the picture, I'm afraid that it'll all unravel. There's a new gang that's already starting to make big moves. I'm worried an all out war is about to start."
My mind races, weighing potential actions and consequences. It's clear Lulu is scared, and I feel responsible for her safety. "I hope it won't come to that," I tell her, a promise lacing my words.
"Me too," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. Then, with a sudden spark, she adds, "But for now, focus on helping me with my college courses, okay?"
"Of course," I reply, smiling at her persistence. She deserves a chance at a brighter future, and I find myself wanting to do that for her.
"Good." Her lips curve into a small smile as she turns to leave, closing the office door behind her with a soft click, and leaving me alone with my thoughts.
ChapterTwenty-Four
Ilet out a sigh of frustration as another attempt to get into Giovanni's files fails. The clock ticks by agonizingly slow. There's nothing for me to do really; the job of Giovanni's assistant is actually pretty easy. It gives me plenty of time to try and hack into his system, although I'm being more careful this time about not leaving anything exposed like I did last time because I don't want him to get mad at me and I really don’t want to let a virus into his stuff.
The clock says 12, and I finally decide that I can't take it anymore and I want to stop for lunch. Besides, I have my little secret date with Ethan planned. It feels somehow wrong to be sneaking around behind Giovanni's back. After all, he did promise that he would look into college courses for me.
But then I justify it because I'm not really doing anything wrong. I might be Giovanni's prisoner, but that doesn't mean I belong to him. He even said it himself that I need a support network and friends.
A little voice inside my head reminds that he certainly doesnotmean Ethan by that, by I brush it aside.
I knock on his office door and poke my head in. He's on the phone, and I make a motion like I'm eating to tell him I'm going to lunch. He waves and goes back to his intense-sounding call.
"See you later," I whisper, even though he probably didn't hear me.
I make my way over to the mall, dressed in a figure-hugging maroon knee-length dress with a sweetheart neckline. The fabric hugs my curves just right, and I feel confident. My heels, a pair of black stilettos with a delicate ankle strap, add an extra layer of sophistication to my outfit. I notice how Giovanni always seems to compliment my outfits now, especially my shoes, in the mornings, and his eyes seem to linger there. I remember the way he was so gentle with my ankle, but then also sucked my toes into his mouth, and a wave of arousal washes through me. I shake my head, reminding myself that I'm going to see Ethan, not Giovanni, and I need to stop thinking about him.
"Focus," I mumble under my breath as I step into the shop where Ethan works.
"Hey there," Ethan greets me with a soft kiss on my cheek, making my heart flutter just a little. "Ready to go?" He's so different from Giovanni; his sandy blond hair contrasts sharply with Giovanni's dark locks, and his blue eyes are soft and friendly, unlike Giovanni's piercing hazel stare.
I nod, trying to focus on the present moment and lock away thoughts of Giovanni. "Definitely."
We walk side by side through the bustling mall, chatting about our weekends and any new movies we want to see. His laughter is contagious, and I find myself giggling along with him.
"Where are we going for lunch?" I ask, eager to know his plans.
Ethan grins slyly, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "A very special place that I think you'll love." The excitement in his voice is palpable, but I can't help but feel a little anxious.
"Okay, but I can't be too long. I have to get back to the office in a reasonable amount of time."
"Don't worry about that," he assures me, though his words do the opposite, sending an odd shiver through my body. But I shrug it off, trying not to read too much into it.
He leads me to a plain double door, opening it to reveal a barely lit service hallway. My stomach twists uncomfortably as we begin to walk down the narrow passage. "Why are we going this way?" I question, my voice echoing slightly against the walls.
