Page 9 of The Bonventi Hitman
As we pull up to the hotel, William, the lead valet, approaches us. I turn to face Sofia. She meets my gaze, her eyes filled with fear and uncertainty.
"Follow me."
She nods, her pouty lips parting as if to speak. She's a stunning beauty even in her daze. When no words come out of her mouth, I have her follow me out of the car and into the hotel.
The Capstone's lobby is deserted, save for a single bellhop who quickly approaches.
I don't stop to talk and put my arm around Sofia's waist to keep her moving as we head toward the elevator.
"Can I be of assistance, Mr. Falcone?" the bellhop asks me.
"No, just heading to Starlight."
"Yes, yes, of course."
Once inside the glass elevator, I press the button for the Starlight suite.
As the elevator begins to climb, my eyes don't leave Sofia. Her back is to me as she looks out the glass to the lobby below. She holds an air of mystery about her - a rarity in my world, and I find it both intriguing and distracting.
The elevator dings, and the doors open. She turns to look at me. Her eyes glisten with a myriad of emotions - fear, sadness, but also something else, and I'm unsure of it.
"This way," I say and motion for her to start walking. She does with hesitation. I walk past her and unlock the door to the Starlight and open it. The lights automatically come on, revealing the luxury suite as we walk inside.
The door clicks shut behind us, locking us in. Sofia lingers by the door, her back pressed against it as she takes in the lavish surroundings. I watch her from across the room, my eyes roaming over her.
"Make yourself comfortable," I say, my voice low.
She nods but doesn't move.
"Food's in the kitchen. Drinks and all that. I need to go into the other room to make some calls."
I notice her hand resting on the doorknob. "Door only unlocks with a keycard."
Her body tenses up, the realization that she's unable to leave overtaking her.
"It's for your protection," I say, but that's only partly true.
I slide into the next room and dial the number for my captain. As the phone rings, I can't help but wonder why the hell I even took her, but now that she's here, I can't let her go.
"Gabriel, what the fuck happened?" the voice on the other end answers my call.
I start pacing the room.
"Russians. Came in through the fucking windows, Luca. I cut them down, but damage was done."
"Shit, the don's not going to like this. You know you're the only one who walked out."
"What about Tony? I left him in the corner hiding."
There was a pause.
"Motherfucker died in that corner."
"Shit."
"Gabe, where are you?"
"The Capstone."
