AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You promoted Rafaella,” she says suddenly, refusing to let the silence settle between us again.
My gaze catches the rearview mirror, and I notice a gleam of amusement in Dario's eyes. My head of security knows me well enough to know that silence is something I appreciate most of the time, especially since the electronic earpiece in my ear is never truly quiet.
As soon as he notices my attention, he averts his own, at least from the rearview mirror, because I doubt, he intends to do the same with his ears.
“You're going to need someone to help you from now on.”
“Because I became useful,” she concludes, and I nod. “What do you expect of me? I mean, why do I need help? What do I need to do today, for example?”
So many questions... I choose to answer only the last one.
“Just be yourself.”
“Be myself?” she asks, and I refuse to repeat it. Gabriella gives a low, humorless laugh. “I don't think this is very useful, but if it's what you want,” she whispers in Portuguese, because surprising me seems to be something she woke up determined to do today.
I pretend I didn't hear her last words. I pick up the box, next to me, on the car seat, and hold it out to the girl. Gabriella raises her eyebrows before her eyes widen when she realizes what this is about. She takes the cardboard box and removes the lid, looking even more incredulous when she finds what the packaging suggested, from the beginning, would be inside.
“You're giving me a phone.”
“The only numbers this device makes calls to are mine and Dario's. It also doesn't have access to the internet,” I warn the girl who still has her eyes glued to the device nestled in cardboard. She lifts her head, after listening to me. “It's on and charged. Always keep it that way.”
“Yes, sir,” she says, without question, and I shift in my seat.
***
The hottest restaurant in Catania welcomes us with all the pomp and circumstance, exactly as instructed. This isn't usually the kind of place I frequent; partying of any kind suits the underboss of La Santa much more than it does me, and I can't even blame my age, I've just never understood the appeal.
Today, however, it was necessary. Encrusted in a rock on the edge of the cliff, the establishment is not a display of luxury, but of tradition and good taste. With just ten tables, the waiting list for dinner atIl Precipiziocan be up to two years long.
The white patina wooden furniture is all concentrated around the glass wall, making it seem as if customers are sitting in mid-air. Gabriella's lips are parted in a dazzled expression that makes her face even more magnetic than it already is.
I dispense the waiter's help and pull out the chair for her to sit down. Her surprised gaze searches me before nodding and smiling at me in silent thanks. I walk around the small table andsit in the chair facing her. Gabriella doesn't need any stimulus to start a conversation, the girl really likes to talk.
“I never imagined that a place like this could exist.” The words are directed at me, but her eyes are lost in the dark, star-filled sky above us.
“You should come during the day, if you're not afraid of heights. The sensation of depth is greater, but so is the feeling of gliding over the sea.”
“Can I?” Suddenly I have her full attention. And if I thought her dazzled look was impactful, it's only because I hadn't seen her hopeful face yet. This, I realize, is the first time I've seen that emotion in her eyes.
“I told you, Gabriella. You can go wherever you want as long as you are accompanied by security guards.” Her eyes light up completely before some perception of her own crosses her mind and they fade away. “What is it?”
“Nothing,” She lies blatantly before getting lost in the landscape again.
“Don't lie to me, Gabriella.” The order comes out between teeth, and that makes me regain her attention.
Blush stains her cheeks and chest and, at first, I think it's because she was reprimanded for lying, but that changes when she answers me.
“I couldn't afford a place like this. Ever.”
“And why do you think you would need it?”
“Because there is no such thing as a free lunch.” My expression doesn't show it, but I have no idea what she means. The silence highlights my lack of understanding, and Gabriella laughs. “It's a Brazilian expression, I just translated it. It means that nothing is free in this world, especially a place like this.”
“And do you really think I would give you permission to go anywhere you want without giving you the resources to do so?” The girl laughs again.
“Oh, of course. As if you were just going to give me money…” More laughter leaves her lips, and I have a hard time choosing what to focus on, whether the sound or the disbelief that provoked it.
“A card. You can use it wherever you want, as long as you let me know where you're going in advance. That's one of the reasons you have a cell phone now.” The expression of amusement on her face is slowly replaced by absolute surprise.
