Page 33 of The Fall of Sin (The Sins of Saint 2)

My eyes widened. “A swimming pool? In a hotel suite?”

“Indeed.”

I noticed Saint glance over his shoulder as he eavesdropped on our conversation, then turned to James. “Inform the hotel we’ll be arriving soon.”

“We still have some daylight, Marcello.” Elena tidied up a few strands of hair which had slipped out of place. “I am absolutely giddy to take Mila to Corso Vittorio Emanuele.”

I leaned over to her. “What is that?” I whispered.

“The most popular shopping street in Milan.” The expression on her face was nothing short of amusement and zeal. It was contagious, and even though fashion labels and designers had never interested me before, I was about to jump out of my skin.

As we drove down the streets of Milan, I tried to take it all in. There were so many people walking around, chatting on their phones, rushing in all different directions. Men were dressed in expensive suits and designer sunglasses. Women were dressed to kill in high heels, skirts, and blouses. It seemed like fashion was the currency of this city.

James parked the car, and Elena and I waited until our passenger side doors opened. Saint held his hand out to me, but the way his head turned from left to right I knew the eyes hidden behind Ray-Ban sunglasses were scanning the crowds around us. With squared shoulders in a pinstriped suit, smooth skin peeking from under his open-collar white dress shirt, his strong posture was meant to intimidate. Confidence oozed out of his pores, a threat to every man in the vicinity, but an aphrodisiac to women who passed us with their lingering stares and parted lips as they unashamedly eyed him with desire. It irked me, the fact that they didn’t even realize I was there right next to him…until it occurred to me. If I wanted them to see me at his side, I had to make damn sure I was unmissable.

Elena hooked her arm into mine as if we had been friends our entire lives. “Prada. That will be our first stop.”

Overwhelmed with the rich scenery, the buzzing of so many beautiful people around me, I followed Elena blindly. The bold, aromatic smell of coffee drifted in the air, and the appetizing scent of freshly baked bread followed. Old buildings were complimented by travertine and marble, surrounded by beautiful columns modeled on Renaissance architecture.

Police sirens echoed from afar. The buzz of people talking loudly and the sharp honk of cars all sounded at once. It was overwhelming, yet mesmerizing at the same time.

Saint remained at my side, and James followed not too far behind. The building we entered was old, yet a piece of art. Stone and golds decorated the multi-floor building. The designer name had been gold-plated on the windows, and yellow lights illuminated every item in the store. I had no idea where I wanted to look first, or where to start. Luckily, Elena knew her way around. “This store has been here since 1913 and remains one of the most striking boutiques in the city. The monochrome flooring and green interiors are the brand’s way of retaining its historic features.” She held her arms wide. “Which is why it is one of my favorite stores. It stays true to itself no matter how the world changes around it.”

An impeccably dressed salesclerk wearing a black pencil skirt and white blouse approached us and greeted Elena by name. “Welcome back,” she said with a smile on her face. “It’s been awhile since we saw you around here.”

“Ah, Maria. It has been too long. Luckily, my nephew, here,” she pointed at Saint, and then to me, “decided it was time to show his wife the glamorous fashion Milan has to offer. Of course, we just had to come here first.”

Maria turned to me and held out her hand. “Mrs. Saint. It’s good to meet you.” I glanced at Saint, and he smirked. It was the first time I was referred to as Mrs. Saint rather than Russo. “It’s good to meet you too, Maria.”

She flipped her dark curls over her shoulder. “Is there anything specific I can help you with today?”

“I…um…” I glanced at Elena for help, and she quickly stepped in with her buoyant personality.

“Maria, we would like to see everything today. Mrs. Saint is not exactly sure what she is looking for, so if you could show us your newest line, that would be superb.”

“Of course,” Maria smiled. “Let’s move to the dressing room at the back of the boutique. Can I get you anything to drink?”

“Dom Pérignon 2002 Plénitude 2,” Saint replied dryly as if ordering champagne at a fashion house was as normal as ordering a salmon skin roll at a sushi bar.

Being surrounded by glamour and fashion and the robust scent of wealth that clung to the air was intimidating. Maybe because I knew I didn’t belong there. No matter the price tag of my shoes, or the designer label on the clothes I wore, it still didn’t give me a sense of belonging among all the riches.

We followed the salesclerk through a double, floor to ceiling door and entered a fitting area that was ten times the size of my room back in New York.

Luxury couches decorated with velvet scatter cushions stood in the center of the room. The decor matched that of the store, tones of green and vintage chic welcoming us.

While I took in the surroundings, I noticed Saint lean close to James as they spoke confidentially. James left the room, and Saint turned toward me and Elena, his hands leisurely tucked into the pants pockets. “Aunt Elena, I think Mila and I can take it from here.”

Elena’s face mirrored the surprise I felt. “Marcello, you don’t have to—”

“Aunt Elena,” Saint approached us, “Mila and I will take it from here. I’m sure Maria will give us all the help we need.”

Elena twirled on her heels and smiled in my direction. “I won’t be far in case you need my help.”

“Thank you,” I said softly and watched Elena exit the room.

“So,” Maria handed us each a glass of champagne, “you would like to see our latest summer collection?”

My cheeks flushed. “Just a few items will be great.”

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