Page 45 of Beautiful Devil

And with that, he’s gone. Holy shit, I can finally walk outside again!

I jump out of my chair and make my way toward some semblance of freedom when a faint knock comes from the door, stopping me in my tracks. Not bothering to open it, I stand still and wait for Maria to walk in, but when she doesn’t, I reply.

“Come in.”

The door swings open, and a tall, handsome man with short brown hair peeks his head around the door. “Good morning, Mrs. Moretti. My name is Luigi, I’m your new bodyguard. Don Moretti said you had some shopping to take care of this morning, and I was just checking to see if you were ready.”

I get a small hit of anger when I hear the nameMrs. Morettiout loud. I will never willingly accept being called by that name. Ever.

I clear my throat and reply in a clipped tone, “You can call me Gia or Ms. D'Amato but don’t ever refer to me as Mrs. Moretti.”

He gives a small nod and tries to fight back a laugh.

Jumping off the bed, ready to leave, I look down when I feel my feet touch the luxurious carpet beneath them, which is where I realize I don’t have any shoes to wear.

“I have a present from Don Moretti, Mrs.…I mean,Ms.D’Amato.” He turns, walking out of the room, and returns two seconds later with a shoe box in his hands.

I sit and open it to find a pair of white tennis shoes. And what would you know…just my size. Putting them on, I stare down at them for a brief second as everything that has happened in the last twenty-four hours rolls around in my head.

I stand up when I hear Luigi clear his throat and start to make my way toward the door that Luigi holds open for me, as he steps aside letting me through.

Great, so this is how it’s going to be from now on?I wonder bitterly.

A black Escalade is parked right outside the front door, and an older man with salt-and-pepper hair is standing next to the back passenger door.

As I approach, he says, “Good morning, Mrs. Moretti. I’m Santino, I’ll be your driver today.”

“Santino was it? Mynameis Gia or Ms. D’Amato,notMrs. Moretti. Be sure to never call me that again.”

Santino’s face pales at my words, and I can hear Luigi chuckle behind me.

“My apologies, Miss. Your husband gave his staff direct orders to call you that.”

“You can tell myhusbandto fuck off!”

I climb into the back seat and slam the car door shut behind me. Ah, the nerve of that asshole making his men refer to me asMrs. Moretti. Yes, technically we’re married, but I was forced to marry him, and I haven’t changed my name legally to Moretti. And I won’t, either.

As I will my anger to subside, I look ahead and see another man sitting as still as a statue in the passenger seat. Both men are dressed in black, not uttering a word. The silence is deafening.

“Where to?” Santino asks.

I look at them for a beat and it briefly crosses my mind to ask for help, now that I’m out of the house and away from Fabi, but in reality, my gut knows better. From what I've seen of his men, they’re as loyal as they come, and I highly doubt this man is going to risk his own life to help me.

I let out a dejected breath and say, “The mall.”

Then I turn my head away and stare out the dark windows as we drive away from the house.

* * *

Half an hour later, we arrive at the mall. I don’t even know why I’m here. I don't want to go to dinner with him tonight, but I’ve already learned that what I want doesn’t matter.

“So, where to?” Luigi asks once he rounds the car to let me out.

I don't say anything, but confusion distorts my face.

“Every woman needs a shopping buddy, so let's get going.”

“What Ineed,” I seethe out, “is my life back. Away from you, away from thatasshole,and away from this life. What I need is my best friend.”

---