Chapter 24
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FOUR
BIANCA
“So, how have you been settling in here?” Georgia sits back in her seat, lifting her face to the sun in an attempt to soak up the fading afternoon rays. We’re enjoying pre-dinner cocktails on the terrace, the sounds of the ocean mingling with the distant call of seagulls.
I can’t help but break out in a grin. “It’s going well,” I admit.
“Being out of the city has been good for me and being by the ocean is a dream.” It’s true, I’ve found a rhythm living here that’s been good for my soul—soaking up the beautiful early fall weather; walking along the beach with Eris playing in the surf; spending hours in the library getting lost in a book; and of course, Daniil.
He’s still as busy as ever, but he’s making more time for me.
My hand reaches up and trails the delicate chain of the necklace he gifted me last night.
He’d blindfolded me and made me stand naked in front of the full-length mirror in our bedroom.
His heavy chest pressed into my back, as he slipped something cool and delicate around my neck.
Removing the blindfold, his fingers traced the chain all the way down to his initials which fell squarely between my breasts.
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Your initials?”
His eyes snagged with mine in the mirror. “So everyone knows who you belong to.”
Even now, a smile still dances on my lips, and Georgia flashes me a sly grin. “Mm, I bet it’s going really well,” she says, taking a sip of her oversized margarita. “I’ve never seen Daniil so … relaxed.”
“Yeah well …” I slip my hair behind my shoulders. “I suppose I have that effect on him.”
She holds out her drink to me, and I raise my glass in cheers.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been around more,” she says with a grimace. “Between teaching and Andrei’s schedule and the fundraiser I’m planning for a Brooklyn-based art school, I’m always so stretched.”
“No need to apologize,” I wave my hand dismissively. “You have a life, and I’m happy for you. Now tell me about this fundraiser you’re planning.”
“Oh, I hope you’ll come!” she squeals. “It’s at the Bellair, and it’s going to be epic …”
As Georgia continues on, I can’t help smiling to myself.
I’ve come to really like my sister-in-law.
She’s no bullshit, and although her and Andrei had a very unconventional beginning—starting with him taking her captive—they’ve somehow managed to make it work.
Even better than that, judging by the perma-glow she’s always sporting.
I wonder if Daniil and I could ever be like Georgia and Andrei.
If we could beat the odds to become a real couple.
But it’s a useless thought, and I dismiss it quickly.
“What about you?” Georgia asks, perching her sunglasses on her head and wrapping her shawl tighter around her shoulders. “Now that you’re settled in, have you thought about what you want to do with your time?”
“You say that as if Daniil would let me work. I don’t know what kind of good pussy voodoo you pulled on Andrei, but Daniil doesn’t seem keen on me having a job.”
Georgia nearly spits out her drink. “Damn. I didn’t even think about that. Maybe my pussy is magic.” We both burst out in laughter. “More likely, I just made Andrei realize if I’m not happy, he won’t be either.”
“Honestly,” I tell her, “I don’t even know what I’d do. I haven’t given my passion much thought.”
Emilio forbade me to go to college, claiming it was useless as I would be a mafia wife and well taken care of.
Of course I went along with his demands, not only because I had little choice, but because I wanted him to believe I was on his side, willing to do whatever needed to be done for the cartel.
“You have some time to think about it now,” Georgia says, swiping at the salt on the rim of her margarita.
“I tried to talk Daniil into letting me work for him when we were first married. He was not open to that idea,” I add, frowning at the memory.
She huffs a laugh, tilting her head. “What exactly would you want to do for the brotherhood, anyway?”
“I don’t know,” I say, shrugging self-consciously.
“Just something. I have a good head for numbers, I’m organized, I’m business-minded, at least I think I am.
” I’ve always had ideas, I just had no one to take me seriously.
When Jorge used to get tipsy and let Zega business slip, beyond gathering intel, I’d also analyze the strategy behind certain decisions. While my uncle is shrewd, so am I.
I shake my head, trying to stay on track.
Because as much as I enjoy sitting outside in the fresh air and sunshine talking to someone close to my age, I’m starting to lose focus on the real reason I’m here.
My mother would often talk to me about the need for investigative journalists to stay cool-headed and objective, not to get wrapped up in their sources and the story that they’re covering. And yet here I am, doing exactly that.
It was easy to focus on exacting revenge at my uncle’s home, surrounded by terrible men, but here, life is different. I’m content here, and I wonder if my parents would want me to focus on revenge, or just being happy. Deep inside, I know the answer, but I can’t give up now.
“Are the guys always so busy?” I ask, navigating the conversation back to the brotherhood. “Daniil works constantly.”
“Yes, but …” She waves her hand in front of her. “I’ve never seen them work like this. Their empire is growing, especially with the casino.” She sighs heavily. Georgia doesn’t come from the mafia world like I do. I wonder if it’s still weird for her.
“How do you manage that?” I ask. “Never seeing Andrei.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t say I never see him.” Her head tips to the side, and she twirls a piece of hair around her finger. “I have the means to get his attention. And it usually includes busting into his office wearing no panties.”
I nearly spit out my drink. “Oh my god.” I laugh. “That’s brilliant.”
“You should try it sometime. They’re never too busy for a little fun … or the right kind of fun.”
BINGO.
An idea forms in my head. Now I just have to wait for the perfect moment to carry out my plan.
“I think I’ll try it,” I agree, sitting back in my seat, and bringing my cocktail to my lips. After a beat, I ask her something I’ve been genuinely wondering. “Do you ever have a hard time with the ugly side of this business?”
She purses her lips in thought. “Sometimes, what little I know of it, to be honest. Bratva life is all this family knows, it’s what they do best. I’ve had to accept who my husband is, even if I don’t like or agree with every choice he makes.”
“Thank you,” I say.
“For what?” She grins at me like I’ve lost my mind.
“For your honesty. There aren’t many people willing to speak the truth about this world we live in. It’s refreshing when someone tells it like it is.”
“Always. I’m here for you, Bianca. Things will get better, you’ll see.”
I nod and release a small sigh. That’s a beautiful thought, but it’s simply not true.