Page 10 of Make You Wish You Were Dead
Since I argued with her yesterday about not talking to me, she has just been giving me head nods, shakes, shoulder shrugs, and then she will just furrow her eyebrows when she doesn’t like something I do or say.
After I dropped her off at the De Luca's, I left to run some errands before picking her up. The rest of the day she just stayed in her room while I walked around the house, making sure the cameras were working and the security was up to date.
Today, she doesn’t have work so she asked to go to the De Luca’s.
I put the car in park and then get out and start walking towards the front door of the De Luca's house.
I decide to stay this time just because I feel like keeping an eye on Jane. I don't want her out of my sight.
Yesterday I had to leave, and I trusted the De Luca's with Jane.
When I walk in, I put my hands in my pockets and walk towards the living room while looking around.
The house hasn't changed since I last came here. It’s still big, and it still looks like an old, Italian-Renaissance-architecture-inspired home but with some modern touches.
"Hello." I turn my head and see Aria De Luca. "Rowan, right? You used to work for us. Are you Jane's new guard?"
"Yes. Rowan Valentino," I state even though they already know who I am.
"Rowan?" Ace walks in from the kitchen and he stands behind Aria. "Long time no see."
"Had to take a little bit of a break."
It's been a while since I've been back in Italy. For the past three years, I have been traveling and taking a break from all of this guarding business. I was also taking ASL classes, same one as Jane actually. But she doesn’t need to know that, nor does anyone else.
When I got a call from my boss saying there was an opportunity I couldn't pass up, I took it. He said I would be working with the De Luca's again and I liked working with them and they paid well, so I took the job.
But, even if the De Luca's weren't involved, I probably still would have taken the job.
"I'm sure you remember but I'm Ace and this is my wife, Aria," Ace says while putting his hand on Aria's shoulder.
Even before I worked for Ace and Aria, I'd heard about them.
Pretty sure everyone who works in this kind of business has because they are a powerful pair of people.
Aria is known, or at least was known, as one of the best assassins in the underworld. Ace is in charge of the Italian organization which is one of the top organizations.
I have heard a lot of stories about these two over the years and honestly, I feel honored to be standing in front of both of them. I would never admit it to them though.
As I look at Aria, I notice how much smaller she has gotten. I heard a rumor that she was diagnosed with cancer and that it’s spreading like a fire throughout her body. She is getting weaker and weaker as time passes by.
"Nice to see you again," I nod my head at them and Aria smiles at me and then looks up at Ace. "Come to the kitchen so we can talk." Aria pulls Ace with her to the kitchen, and I look around the house for a second more before walking with them. "Jane is with Thalia in her room," Aria says once we are in the kitchen. "We're really happy that Jane decided to live in Italy. Thalia needs her cousin, especially after losing Alexander three years ago. The baby is a lot of work too and I know Jane is very good with kids."
Thalia De Luca; now known as Thalia Russo. Her husband, Alexander Russo, died from a gunshot wound at one of the galas they hold every single year.
Every year the gala always turns into a mess. There were a few good ones but the one from three years ago was the worst. I attended the gala that year because my brother wanted me to and my boss. My brother was guarding some princess or celebrity, I don't remember the name, and he and my boss told me to go so I could represent them.
Plus, Ace wanted to talk to me because I was still technically working for the De Luca's at the time.
"Would you like something to drink?" Ace asks as he pulls out a bottle of whiskey from one of the cupboards. I shake my head no, but Ace still pours a glass for himself. "Tell me, Rowan, what do you think about Jane?"
My jaw ticks but I don't show any other reaction.
I narrow my eyes at Ace.
Just an uncle worried about his niece.
That's all.
