Page 22 of The Hitman's Rose

Chapter Eleven

Rosaline

I’m curled up on the couch in Piccolo Paradiso, waiting for Ademaro. We were supposed to ride over together; however, he informed me that he had to run a quick errand. Now, I’ve been watching the large clock on the wall, watching the minutes tick by.

The doorbell rings. My eyebrow raises as I stand up and make my way over to the door. I cautiously open it. When I see Ademaro standing there with shopping bags I can’t help but shake my head and laugh.

“Why did you ring the doorbell?” I ask, opening the door wider for him to walk in.

“I didn’t want to barge in,” he admits faintly and steps inside. I close the door and lock it. “Have you been waiting long? I tried to hurry.”

“You went shopping?”

Ademaro stiffens. He lowers his head and nods. It’s almost as though he’s embarrassed.

“Why do you look so… sad,” I giggle. He chuckles then looks at me.

“You told me not to wear a suit so I…” His words trail off. I wait for him to finish his sentence; however, when the lightbulb goes off in my head, I’m instantly filled with regret.

All of Giovanni’s men wear suits. I’ve never seen them in anything else. Hell, I never even saw my own father in anything outside of his suits.

“I am so so sorry, Ademaro,” I apologize. “I didn’t even think that you might not own anything other than a suit.”

“It’s okay. Really. I needed new clothes anyway,” he chuckles.

“Uh-huh. Not sure if I believe that but I guess I’ll have to trust you.” An emotion flickers in his eyes. It’s one I can’t quite place. “I can trust you, right?”

“Of course,” he nods. “I had no idea what to buy. I haven’t wornnormalclothes in years. I thought it’d be super fast but as I was shopping for clothes, I started to worry that you might not like what I picked so a five minute trip turned into an hour. That’s why I’m late.”

His words came out at the speed of light. It was cute seeing him nervous for once since it was usually me.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asks.

“I like this side of you,” I smile.

“This side of me?” He looks down at his suit and I laugh. When he looks at me, I shake my head.

“I’m talking about the down-to-Earth, open you. It’s nice,” I smile again. “Did you want to go change? Or are you too tired from shopping?” I tease, playfully bumping into him. He chuckles and shakes his head.

“I can change real quick.”

“Giovanni had strict rules on which room is whose,” I giggle. “Let me show you to your cell.”

“Ha! Now we’re both prisoners.”

***

I sit at the kitchen island while Ademaro changes. Nerves are flowing through me. I can’t believe this is all happening. I’m finally out of my cage and on a date. My first date ever and a date arranged by the Godfather Giovanni Tacchelli himself.

How crazy is this?I think to myself.

“How do I look?” Ademaro asks quietly, scaring me half to death. “Sorry,” he chuckles, walking across the room and over to me.

My mouth gapes open as I take in his appearance. He is wearing gray sweatpants, a white graphic shirt, and white sneakers. Although most of him is covered, the parts exposed are yummy; his tattooed-covered forearms are just begging to be touched.

“Do I look stupid?” he asks, looking down at his outfit.

Stuipd? Pft. You look like a walking sex god, who I want to strip and have my way with.

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