Page 37 of (UN)Bounded

“Always.”

Chapter 14

Gabo Godoy

The week went by in a blink. I’ve been trying to delegate more projects to Dominic so I can take the week off with my Bella. Professor López turned out to be a great point of contact for Bella and other South Americans in Europe. According to Bella, there’s a network for young and rising artists in the European Union, and they’ll meet next month in Switzerland. I’m already planning to take that time off to go with her; seeing her work so hard on her project has ignited something inside me. It’s the spark I’ve been missing.

She’s also creating a new piece that I haven’t been allowed to see, and I‘m curious if it has anything to do with me. I haven’t drawn in a long time—I used to do it all the time in college. Yesterday I caught myself doodling while attending another boring budget meeting, and to my surprise, I drew her. My muse.

However, I wasn’t too happy to learn that Giacomo had almost caused an accident with Bella’s car. I had to hear it from Rocco, who also reported that the kid had been almost harassing her for a second date. Why can't the guy take the hint? Maybe I’m expecting too much of a ragazzo who’s still in school.

I know Bella is with me, but the fact that she doesn’t want labels still makes me feel uncertain. I don’t want anyone to think they have a chance with her. Because they don’t. I trust no one, especially when she’s involved, so I had Mario run a background check on him.

‘Earth to Gabo,” Dominic says as he enters my office, Mario hot on his tail.

“Is everything alright?” I ask, noting the urgency with which they both entered.

“Yeah, we were just power walking after lunch. And by the way, I won,” Dominic says to Mario with a wink, to which Mario just rolls his eyes in fake annoyance. These two have been beating around the bush for far too long—I wish they’d just fuck and see if they can get it out of their systems.

“Boss, I ran the background check on Miss Bianchi’s classmate as you asked and the guy is squeaky clean,” Mario states, face unreadable.

“And is that a bad thing? I’m glad he doesn’t present a threat to my Bella.”

“Good, that’s good. He just seems too perfect and no one ever is.” I know what Mario is trying to tell me: we need to dig deeper.

“Can you get in contact with your friends at Interpol?” Dominic barks out a laugh that soon morphs into a coughing fit. Mario passes him a bottle of water, and Dominic eyes him, appreciative of the gesture.

“Gabo, don’t be ridiculous. The kid is simply a good citizen, he must be one of the people who goes to the bathroom with the lights off. He’s just pure like that.” Mario and I laugh at Dominic’s ridiculous assessment, but I need to know for certain the kid doesn’t present a threat to Bella. One can never be too careful.

“Alright assholes, you all are funny and shit, but my woman is waiting for me to start the weekend,” I say as I motion for them to say whatever it is they came in to say.

“Sounds good, boss. Aldo and Rocco going with you? Or do you need me to go?”

“Yeah, they’re coming with us. You take the weekend to continue investigating.” Mario nods in understanding and starts making his way out of the office.

“Did you already tap that? Or that’s why you’re acting like a psycho, investigating everyone who comes in contact with Isa?” I cannot believe Dominic just said that. I have him pinned against the wall in two seconds flat.

“Don’t you ever refer to Bella like that ever again. She’s the most important person in my life, and I’ll stop at nothing to make sure she’s safe at all times,” I say with a clenched jaw. I’ve never been this furious with Dominic.

“Okay, okay, relax. It was a joke. What happened to bros over hoes?”

“Bella is not joking material. Understood?” I ask before releasing him, and he nods, massaging his neck.

“I see you’ve finally met the one,” Dom says with a smirk, and I release a breath.

“Yes. She’s everything I see.” I hear his laugh as he leaves my office. I can’t wait to finish what I have to do so I can go to the villa with her.

After a couple more hours of work, I’m about to close my laptop when Dom comes into my office.

“Sorry, man, but you’re going to have to delay going home to your girl.”

“Unless someone is dying, I’m out of here,” I tell him in a tone that doesn’t allow any arguing.

“Trust me, Gabo. We need to do this together.”

“What is it?”

“Sheikh Khalid is here.” That catches my interest.

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