Chapter 7
Chapter
Seven
We’re lying around eating pizza in our pajamas as I go over my new schedule while Val paints my toenails.
It’s so fucking normal I can help but grin.
She had spent all afternoon helping me unpack and reorganize the suite to our needs. A few of the other girls stopped by to thank me for the upgrades and to ask who the cute guys hanging around were, and I rolled my eyes cause they didn’t have a chance in hell with my guards.
They were all married and fiercely loyal to their wives.
“Whoever designed this suite for us needs a raise,” I commented as I looked around once again.
The interior designer had gone all out. It was almost a replica of my room back home, but with an adult woman’s sufficiency versus the childlike feel I left behind at the mansion.
The furniture was mostly white with blush pink and sage green accents.
It was soft, comfortable, and heavy on the pillows.
The tables were light wood and glass. The carpet was out of this world, featuring a floral pattern that perfectly matched the color scheme, and the bookshelves were filled with my favorites, plants, and candles.
It was the bedrooms and the private bathroom I was most grateful for. I was not used to sharing, and when I saw a maid schedule posted on the walk-in closet wall, I grinned.
Ok, so Alfie spoils me.
“He really does love me.” I sigh, feeling horrible about the way I’ve treated him lately.
“And he knows you love him, too, so stop thinking whatever it is running through that head of yours. Instead, start thinking about your customer for Saturday night. It’ll be here before you know it, and I don’t want you to get so distracted and lose time this week.
I will not take any excuses from you.” She blows on my pinkie toe as she finishes up painting my toes a deep red color.
“Yes, Mom,” I stick out my tongue at her.
“Don’t you sass me, young lady. I mean to get you drunk and properly fucked at that party. So help me out by picking our something sexy to wear.” I groan as she stands and starts dancing to no music, grinding on the edge of the couch.
“Gross! Can you stop? They are new!” I can’t help but laugh at her antics.
“Loosen up! You’re free to be you! I don’t think you’ve realized how much of a gift Uncle Al has given you.
I’ve been left alone mostly but the family, but I’ve seen the responsibility you’ve been carrying, and I gotta say, you are about to be living your best life!
” Well, when you put it that way, I guess she’s right.
“It’s scary. I only know the mafia lifestyle. What am I going to do now that I’ve been let off the leash I grew up on?” She knows exactly what I mean.
“Act like a bitch in heat.” She grins and wags her eyebrows at me.
“Be serious, Val.” I can’t help my chuckle, though, cause it’s the one thing I’ve been expected to do.
Guard my virtue for my husband. Keep myself clean and pure so that I can be sold or bartered off for money and power. It was always a very sobering idea knowing what would happen to me once I was married off.
But now I have an actual chance of living a semi-normal life.
Until spring, that is.
“We’re gonna need booze and condoms.” The words leave my mouth in a rush, and Val’a’s jaw drops.
“YASSS!” She stands and starts jumping around like the lunatic she is.
“But first, I need to figure out my week.” She drops down next to me again and rolls her eyes.
“Fine. Responsible Monday to Thursday, party on the weekend. Deal?” She sticks out her hand for me to shake, and I raise my eyebrow in question.
Deals in our family are paid in blood.
“I can change my mind later,” I stress the words as she waits for me to shake.
“Yes, yes. It’s a woman’s prerogative to reneg.” I grasp her hand and pump it before she changes her mind or adds anything else.
“Deal.” I blow a kiss at her for good measure.
“So let’s check if we have any classes together and then I’ll help you map out the best routes.” Val becomes all business as I let my mind split my focus between what she’s saying and my worries over the party.
By the time we go to bed, my anxiety levels are off the charts. I stare at the ceiling for hours before I finally pass out from the sheer exhaustion of the last few days.
I dream of a man with dark eyes, following, chasing, and catching me. His smell draws me in, his touch makes me hot, and his whispered, accented voice makes me want to melt in his arms. I wake up feeling excitement, not fear.
It terrifies me and thrills me more than it should.