Page 72 of Depths of Obsession
“Uh, FYI…pushing me isn’t helping!” I protest.
“Sorry Pippa, but if we don’t make it in time, we’re going in blind,” he says, his voice tight.
“What are you talking about?” I huff, trying to keep up. Nico, of course, isn’t even winded.
We finally reach the Galleria, and there’s a line of people waiting at the entrance. Frustration is evident in the set of Nico’s shoulders, but there’s nothing we can do except wait our turn.
I glance up at the arched entrance, marveling at its beauty. Sometimes I forget how stunning the architecture here can be. The entrance, with its high ceiling and intricate stone carvings, is breathtaking. The entire Galleria is an architectural masterpiece—the iron and glass roof, the ornate details, everything about it is exquisite. It’s beautiful and grand, and I can see why it’s the chosen venue for this kind of event.
“Buonasera, Signore, Signorina,” the doorman says, his voice polite, a small smile on his face. “Invito, per favore.”
A cold sweat breaks out across my back. Nico said he had an invitation but panic bubbles in my chest. I would feel immensely better if Luca were here. Nico reaches calmly into his coat pocket, pulling out a piece of heavy cream-colored paper. The doorman smiles, checks his iPad, and nods, stepping aside to let us pass.
The air hisses out of my lungs as we step into the hallway. I hadn’t even realized I’d been holding my breath. Of course Nico had an invitation. I should know by now that the Valdici men don’t get into things they can’t get out of.
Nico guides me through the crowd, and I reach out and snag a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. I down it and put the flute back on the tray of another waiter as we cut through the crowd.
“I have to go watch where we think the auction is going to take place so we can figure out who the competition is. Stay right here. You should be perfectly safe, okay?”
“Okay,” I say but he’s already lost from view. “Well, shit.”
I glance around. I’m in the middle of the Galleria standing on the Turin Bull mosaic. There’s an old tradition that says if you put your right heel on the bull’s testicles and spin around quickly three times without tripping then your wish will come true or it will bring you good luck. I have to say I’m tempted. I need all the luck I can get, and I really wish we can get the necklace and I can get out of here. I do not want to be here any longer than necessary. I keep envisioning someone coming up to me and asking how I’m going to pay off my father’s debt. Being with Luca has kept me out of reach but now I’m out in the open, exposed. Anyone can approach me. Just the thought of that makes me queasy. I need more champagne.
Glancing around I see that the doors to Louis Vuitton are indeed open. Calaba is letting people pick their own swag. I wonder how much these people have donated to get an invitation to this event. It must be in the millions. Could be why there’s not a line at LV or even Prada which is across the way. “Don’t mind if I do,” I mumble to myself. I’m not passing up a new Louis Vuitton bag. That would just be stupid. Plus, I glance down at my clutch, I deserve a new bag with all the shit I’m going through. Something to cheer me up.
I start in the direction of the store only to be grabbed by the arm. I whirl around expecting it to be Luca and instead Marcello, my old boss stares down at me. “What the fuck are you doing here?” he hisses at me.
I glance around, making sure no one is paying any attention. “I could ask you the same thing,” I snarl back, keeping my voice just loud enough to be heard over the din. “I thought you would’ve found some other hole to crawl into by now.”
“I told you before I was going to attend the auction.” He looks around too. “Therealauction.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “You do not have a hope of getting the necklace. You don’t have that kind of money.”
“Don’t I?” he says sneering at me. “You don’t even have an invitation to the auction so you aren’t going to know what happens.”
My stomach rolls. “So why don’t you tell me then. I know you want to. You can’t resist the opportunity to brag. Besides, Gazzago is going to kill you just for lying to him about having the necklace to begin with let alone not being able to produce it.” I don’t think Gazzago gives a shit at the moment, but Marcello doesn’t know that and I owe him one. Big time.
“I’ve smoothed things over with Gazzago. It’s all taken care of.” Marcello is practically preening.
I’m getting nauseous. “What the hell did you do?” I demand.
His smile frosts my blood. “I found a benefactor who was more than happy to give Gazzago his money back plus a bit extra. We’re square. He got payment for his cousin’s death.”
“Wait,” I say, “you have his fifty k already.” Marcello’s smile grows right along with my fear. “You lied to your benefactor and she, because it has to be a woman. No man would fall for your shit. You told them the money was gone so they paid Gazzago back and then some but you get to keep the original fifty k.”
“I always knew you were smart.” He smirks. “When it comes to money.”
“Who is your benefactor and what the hell did you promise them?”
Marcello merely offered me another cold smile. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” With that he disappeared into the crowd.
“Shit, shit, shit,” I mumble to myself. Where the fuck is Nico? Or Luca? Is he in jail? Whatever Marcello is planning, it’s going to clash with the plan. The outcome of this auction decides the fate of three lives and Marcello De Carlo is going to screw it all up.
“Pippa.” Luca’s voice cuts through the noise of the crowd.
I turn to see him. Relief floods through me.
His eyes land on me, and he stops in his tracks, his gaze trailing slowly down my body before snapping back up to meet mine. The air shifts, and my breath catches in my throat. His eyes are darker, a deep emerald, and they seem to glow from within.
