Page 62 of Hired By the Consigliere

“He was definitely a little pushy. Is there any way that he really is just a father wanting to connect with his daughter?” Alessandro asked.

“I don’t know. But whatever is going on, stay alert. Don’t drink anymore and keep an eye and ear out for anything that seems unusual.”

We nodded, growing quiet as a young woman in a maid’s uniform approached. “CiaoSignori. I am Luna.If you follow me, I will show you to your rooms.”

“Grazie, Luna,” Teo said politely.

We followed her up the elegant wooden staircase and down a long, dimly lit hallway. We came to one of the heavy mahogany doors and stopped when Luna did. “This room will be for you, Don Venturi.”

“Grazie.”

“Once I show your men to their rooms, I would be happy to return to act as your companion for the evening.”

“Thank you but I don’t think that your don or my wife would be too pleased with that.”

Luna looked puzzled. “My don was the one who instructed me to offer.”

Teo looked curious. I knew that look. He was up to something.

“Well, I would hate to insult your don by turning down such a generous offer. It is a bit early to turn in for the night. Perhaps you’d like to join me for a drink?”

Luna forced a smile, and I could tell that she wasn’t making the offer of her own choosing. “That sounds lovely,signore.”

“Good. Then, hurry along so you can get back here sooner.”

“Sì, signore.” She made a small bend of her knee like a subtle bow before leading the rest of us to our rooms.

Mine was last and I stepped inside to the ornately decorated bedroom that looked like something from a palace. Fabbri definitely had money. I didn’t like that Aurora was downstairs having dessert with some stranger while I was helpless upstairs just counting down the hours until morning. I paced the room like a caged lion for hours until exhaustion finally kicked in. I needed to get a few hours of sleep, or I wouldn’t be able to make the drive back home. It was nearly time for the sun to come up before I finally closed my eyes.

Chapter 26

Aurora

Sunlight danced across my face, stirring me from my dreams.

Before I opened my eyes I had forgotten where I was. The luxurious Egyptian cotton sheets reminded me of the nights I spent with Enzo. But as my eyes fluttered open and I lazily looked around the room I was reminded that I was in Fabbri’s house. My father's house. I still couldn't believe that I had a father, that I had found him, and that he was in the mafia. It all seemed so surreal. My dreams of being in Enzo's arms seemed more real than my waking life.

I stretched in the king size bed and threw the down cover to the side as I slung my feet over the edge of the bed. I went to the en suite bathroom to take a shower and get ready for our trip home.

I’d had a lovely talk with my father the night before. I told him an altered version of the truth about me and Enzo. I didn't want him to get the wrong idea about either of us by telling him the whole truth about how we had started working together, but he did know that our engagement started as an arrangement and changed into something more.

Perhaps by the time we were really ready to get married, if that ever actually happened, my father could walk me down the aisle. But there was a lot to sort out before Enzo and I would ever be ready to actually get married, if he was ever one to want to get married for real. I hopped in the shower and got ready for the day, putting my hair in a playful updo.

I was still wrapped in just a fluffy white towel when there was a knock on the door. “Luna? What are you doing here so early?”

Luna smiled shyly. “Forgive me for disturbing you,signora. Your father asked me to deliver this to your room before breakfast.” She held the garment bag out as an offering to me and I took it gratefully.

“What is it?”

“Just a sundress. There are intimates as well, and shoes. He had one of the servants run into town and get it for you. He knew you wouldn't have a change of clothes and didn't want you having to wear the same thing out two days later.”

“That's very kind of him. Thank you and please tell him that I said thank you, too.”

“Of course, signora. He also asked me to let you know that breakfast will be ready in fifteen minutes. Is there anything that I could do for you? Or anything that you need for me to get you? I will do my best to get whatever you may need.”

“No. Thank you. This will be more than enough.”

“Yes signora. I will take my leave now if there's nothing else.”

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