Chapter 31
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ANASTASIA
Rolling my eyes, I lean back against the wall and watch my bodyguard make out with my assistant. Again.
My heel taps aggressively against the floor, doing nothing to assuage their attention away from each other. When Adrian reaches down for an ass grab, I sigh and thrust my Prada bag back, letting it hit the wall with a thud.
They break away from each other, blushing hard and wide eyed like a deer caught in headlights. Ignoring Adrian, I narrow my eyes at Declan. “I thought I told you to deal with that little problem back at the docks. ”
It’s strange seeing my otherwise reserved and obedient bodyguard so disheveled. In all our years together, I don’t think I’ve ever heard Declan even remotely mention dating, never mind watching him have a full blown make out session at work. “I was going to Mrs Mancini, but—”
I silence him with my hand, hating the way my new name gives way to a rush of butterflies flooding my stomach. Having a hyphenated name was supposed to be a compromise but everyone just sticks to using whatever comes last and I suppose Mrs Romano-Mancini doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue.
“I pay you both to do a job and I don’t care what you do in your personal time but when you’re working, I expect you to follow my orders.” If I let them continue their office romance, word could get out and suddenly I’m a lenient boss with everyone defying the rules. In truth, part of me is happy that they’re together. I’ve noticed a softening to Declan whenever he’s around Adrian and they match well.
“I’m sorry Mrs Romano-Mancini.” Adrian mumbles, still refusing to meet my eyes.
I just nod. “It’s okay. Just let me have a moment alone with Declan.” Adrian busies himself behind the desk whilst I drag Declan aside.
“Declan, whilst I appreciate you have needs like every other man on this planet, could you at least do it in a store cupboard or the limo even…just make sure to get it cleaned after.” He just stares at me, dumbfounded and gaping like an idiot. “What?”
He shakes his head, snapping out of it and laughs nervously. “I don’t know. I suppose I half expected you to fire me.”
“Declan you’re the best bodyguard I’ve ever had. Besides, I consider you a friend first so just think of this as a warning. I need that problem to be dealt with today. It’s making too much noise at the docks.”
“On it boss.”
“Oh and though I didn’t peg you for the cute nerd type, you two look good together.” He smiles and spares Adrian a longing look, before dropping his head low as he walks out.
I turn towards my office when Adrian runs in-front of me, the coffee in his hand sloshing at the sides. “Wait! There’s someone waiting for you.”
Biting my cheek, I swallow down the irritation crawling up my throat. “And who might that be?”
“I’m not sure. She just walked straight through, but Declan said she was fine to come up without permission.”
Rolling my eyes, I can only pray it’s not Calista. Despite the extensive research Enzo did on Jermiah, he came up with nothing. No priors or dirty secrets I could exploit. We had our double date last week and Jermiah proved to be even more of a jackass in person. I don’t know what it is, but my gut is just screaming at me not to trust that sleaze with my sister.
Quietly I step into my office, half on guard even though Declan would never let someone I didn’t know inside. But still, as I examine their jet black hair with streaks of red running through it triggers nothing in my memory and the white cap on their head, falls low over their brow
Instinct has me reaching into my bag for my gun but then I notice the strays of blonde hair peeking through the black. Sighing in relief, I shut the door which earns her attention. She spins around in her chair, blinding me with that same smile which is plastered on the billboard opposite my office.
“Hey Stasia,” I smile back, quickly shoving my gun back into my bag.
“Aurelia? What are you oh—” Her arms fold around me and even though I’m wearing heels, she still manages to hold a few inches over me.
“I heard about the wedding. I mean, everyone did. A shooter? I can’t believe it.” The reminder presses at the annoying fact that we still haven’t found whoever issued the attack.
I laugh awkwardly, detangling my limbs from hers. “Yeah, well at least my wedding will be memorable, but it still didn't stop me from getting married. ”
She gasps, snatching my hand so she can see my ruby ring and the silver wedding band beneath it. “Wow, it’s stunning but I can’t believe I had to read about your marriage in Vogue. I mean don’t get me wrong it sounds like a fairytale. The whole secret love affair and then marrying in your mom’s hospital room. Honestly, I never expected you to be such a romantic.”
I shrug. “It’s good to keep everyone on their toes now and again.”
“Are you happy?” I’m so used to blindly saying yes to that question that now the truth feels strange to get out.
“Yeah, I suppose I am.” Aurelia gazes at me with those hazel doe eyes and I can’t help but tease her. “It also helps that he’s good in bed.”
Like expected, she blushes and her gaze falls to the floor, giving away her innocence. You’d never expect Aurelia Michaelis — world renowned supermodel and Victoria Secret angel — to be a virgin, or more so a prude.
I guess it was her mother, instilling those good Catholic values into her as a kid that makes her shy away from any topic even hinting at sex.
We’ve been friends long enough now that I can tease her and she doesn’t really care but it’s still a nice reminder that there are people I know, unscathed by the corruption of the world I live in .
“Nice disguise.” Scowling, she whips off her wig and allows her real hair to tumble down. The silky blonde waves are what she’s known for — her trademark if you will — and her hearing aid pops out from beneath her hair.
“It’s so itchy but it works. No-one even batted an eyelid at me and that guy at reception had no clue who I was.”
“Being invisible has its perks.”
“Yeah, it does.” She pauses as I sit down in my chair. “I feel like an imposter Anastasia. Sneaking into your office? I mean I get it, our friendship isn't exactly conventional. The girl who earns a living by taking pictures of herself in her underwear and the woman who’s on the rise to owning half of New York. “
“More than half.” I add and she laughs. “Besides you’re a self-made woman Aurelia. I know how hard you worked to make it there.”
“Still.” She says, ignoring the compliment. “It feels strange not being invited to your wedding. Not that I wanted to get shot or anything but…are you ashamed to be seen with me?”
I hate myself for this — almost more than the person I blame for this entire masquerade .
“Aurelia of course not. It’s just… we run in completely different circles. You’re an icon of beauty and fame. I’m just not looking to invite more paparazzi into my life which is what will happen if our close friendship becomes known to the pu blic. Besides, you don’t want to be connected to me. I have a lot of money and investments which attract a certain danger I try to protect the people I care about from.”
Not a complete lie but it’s still not the whole truth I want to give her.
I can tell there’s more she wants to say but eventually she gives in, fixing the wig back over her hair. “Okay, I trust you. I just wanted to make sure you were safe and to let you know I’m heading to London for a shoot, so I won’t be back in New York for a while.”
I snort. “Your mother will hate that.”
She laughs quietly, tucking her crucifix necklace under her shirt. “Oh she does, but I’m twenty-one now. I can do what I like.”
“True and I’ll support you through whatever. Text me when you’re back, we’ll have a proper catch up.” When she leaves, I feel a piece of me shatter at how much I hate lying to her.
Our entire friendship is a big dirty secret for reasons she can’t know or understand. I blame her mother for it but I know it’s the right thing to do for now.
As much as it kills me to keep on lying to her.
** *
“Hello?” I call out into the quiet apartment, hooking my coat onto the rack. Enzo’s keys are already set on the counter, so I know he’s home.
Kicking off my heels, I welcome the cool flooring beneath my feet and head over to the kitchen. Something is already cooking in the oven and as I pull the door open, the strong whiff of lasagna hits my nostrils.
“You’re early.” He startles me and I quickly let the oven door go as I stand tall again.
Arousal coils inside of my stomach as he walks into the light, water droplets still fresh from his shower dripping down his bare chest. He’s only wearing a pair of thin pajama pants that hang low on his waist and I have to hold back from jumping on him.
“I finished more work than expected.” Also, I just wanted to come home . After seeing Aurelia, my brain was all screwed up and I could barely focus without guilt swarming my conscience. “You cooked?”
“Actually my mother did. She just dropped it off.”
“She didn’t want to stay?” Despite our difficulties at the start, I’ve come to enjoy her company over the few brunches we’ve had together. It was hard to forgive and forget everything she’s done but there’s no point living in the past when Enzo and I are trying to move forward.
Shaking his head, he makes his way over to the oven. I watch him crouch down and stare at the bubbling lasagna before switching the heat off. “We’re still not on the best of terms and I need to talk to you in private.”
“Okay,” I drawl out, hating the anxiety that begins to settle in my stomach.
Everything between us has been good so far.
Arguments? Sure, but nothing lethal that ends with one of us pulling out our gun.
Leaning back against the counter, he reaches for my hand and tugs me in closer. I gasp at the warmth of his body washing over me, desperate to push him onto the counter, hike up my skirt and ride him until he’s moaning my name.
“I know I promised you no more lies but I swear to you Anastasia, I didn’t see this one coming.” I swallow hard, letting him squeeze my hand tighter. “From the moment I saw you again in that diner, I knew that I wanted to marry you because I needed you back in my life. Not for business or power but because I simply needed you.”
“Enzo just say it.” I hate when people think a little sugar can sweeten anything. I need the band aid to be ripped off .
A deep sigh expels from his lips, freezing over my heart that’s just begun to warm again. “I know who’s responsible for the attack on our wedding and… I’m the reason he won’t stop until he’s destroyed us both.”