Page 84 of Born a Queen

Chapter Forty-Five

It took a while before the mansion fell into a routine of new normal. Raina was not allowed to leave the premises without a full security detail, which now included her fiancé. At first, she balked at the restrictions, but then she'd seen the livid bruises on Angela's chest. Angela was the one to convince her to take the new security measures seriously.

"She killed your bodyguards and shot me as easily as if I was an annoying fly. She didn't pause. She didn't know me and she didn't care who I was. If she could do that to me, what will she do to you? Someone who she actually has a vendetta against. Don’t underestimate her, and don’t force Mateo to split his focus between a bratty wife, his Miami takeover and his hunt for Desi."

Though they stung, Angela's words sunk in. Raina still blamed herself for Angela's injuries, though Angela didn't look at it that way. Angela was doing her job, the job she was meant to do, and she was proud to be able to take bullets for Raina's sake.

To appease Angela, Raina would accept her near house arrest, learning to accept the new restrictions. Which, for her sanity, now included a more hands-on renovation of Mateo's office and taking on more forgery commissions. Raina busied buried herself in work so that she wouldn't have to think about what her fiancé and parents were doing in the city; ruthlessly bringing Miami under the control of Mateo and hunting for Desiree Navarro.

Vee and Sotza stopped by almost every day. They visited with Raina, updated Mateo and sometimes ate supper with them. Though Raina had a similar routine in Venezuela, she was now two years older and wiser. Life had changed even though the members dining at her table hadn't.

Eight days had passed since Raina and Angela had been attacked. Angela was back on her feet and engaging in her full duties, though she had grown even more protective of Raina and checked in on her often. Since the two women were rapidly becoming friends, Raina didn't mind. Angela gave her someone to vent to, someone who understood both sides of the equation; a person inside the mafia, but also a woman with wants and desires.

Angela understood and sympathized with many of Raina's frustrations, and Raina, in turn, attempted to give Angela an ear to bend if she needed one, though Angela was more tightlipped. Raina didn't know if it was her nature or her job, but she didn't often open up.

Raina and Angela were deep in the middle of one such conversation, when they were interrupted. "Okay, but have you ever actually tortured someone –?"

Angela was saved from answering Raina's gruesomely curious question when a sharp knock sounded at the door. Thomas stuck his head in. "There's someone at the gate, says he knows you."

Raina was surprised that Thomas hadn't turned away the visitor. The mansion was on lockdown and everyone relevant in the city knew it. The only people allowed to come and go were staff and family.

Angela jumped in. "Send him away; no visitors."

"He says he knows both Raina and Mateo and that they would want to see him immediately. He’s insistent that he won’t leave without an audience. His words, not mine. Mateo is in the city on business or I would bring this matter to him."

Angela frowned and Raina figured she was about to snap at Thomas, reiterating her earlier comment. Raina asked, "Did he give you a name?"

"Signore Giovanni Savino."

Raina leapt to her feet, her hand on her chest. Giovanni was there to see her! She grinned and exclaimed, "Let him in right away! I'll meet him in the main sitting room."

Thomas nodded and strode away. As Raina was leaving the room, Angela stopped her. "Mateo won't like this. No strangers in the mansion, no exceptions."

Raina waved her hand dismissively. "Giovanni isn’t a stranger, he's practically like a godfather to me." Raina smirked at her inside joke. Giovanni was the Italian Godfather.

As she was leaving the office, out of the corner of her eye she saw Angela get on the phone. No doubt about it, Angela was calling the boss. As close as Angela and Raina had come, Angela's first loyalty would always be to Mateo.

Raina waited excitedly for Giovanni in the sitting room and grinned broadly as he was shown in by Thomas. "Giovanni!" Raina rushed to greet him, stepping into his embrace.

His arms tightened around her and squeezed for a moment before he set her away from him. He looked her over, his lips curving in a smile. "As beautiful as ever, bella. Domesticity suits you. I am now less sad that you were picked up and brought to this place against your will."

She shrugged, hooking her arm in his and escorting him to the sofa. She sank down onto a chair across from him. "It wasn't exactly against my will. I've known for a while that I would be marrying Mateo, and I enjoyed two years of freedom before he picked me up."

He watched her, his expression musing. He was wearing an impeccably tailored suit, dark, but with flare. In his pocket was a crimson red handkerchief and a set of diamond studded cuff links adorned on each wrist.

"The answer of a dutiful mob wife." Though his words were mild, the meaning was not. Raina understood that this was an opportunity for her to leave if she wanted to. Giovanni was checking on her and if he didn't like what he heard, he was willing to help her get out of there. She knew it was a lot to read into one sentence, but she had connected with Giovanni in Italy. They were two vastly different but kindred spirits.

She reached out, indicating that she wanted his hand. He took hers and allowed her to squeeze him. "Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. You have no idea what it means to have an ally like you. You graciously accepted me into your home, you protected me and then you helped me escape. All this because I am the daughter of a business associate."

Giovanni nodded gravely and squeezed her back. "I did not only do these things because of who your father is, but because of who you are. You remind me very much of my deceased wife."

Raina beamed at him. "Thank you, Giovanni."

Giovanni nodded decisively, released her hand and settled himself back in the chair. He looked around the room. "A very nice place you have here. Perhaps I should take your lead and do something with my monstrosity."

Raina grinned. "I’m more than happy to give you the name and number of my interior decorator… the nice one. I'm sure he would love a trip to Italy, especially if expenses are paid."

The two spoke on a variety of subjects including the mansion renovations and Raina's up-and-coming forgery business. They spoke as though they had been friends for many years, though they hadn't actually known each other very long. Their friendship traversed age, station, and an ocean.

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