Chapter 34
Jupiter Descends
Yeah, I needed a month-long nap.
Feels like a year since we left the U.S.
And Nan just made it feel longer.
I glance at the phone in my hand. She’s leaving for Georgia. Permanently.
With a sigh, I put the phone away and grab my corset. I’m wearing black silk pants with a matching blouse, cuffed sleeves, and a slight cowl-neck lining. The under bust corset is maroon velvet. My outfit chosen by Leo himself, including the fancy sandals instead of heels. Thank goodness.
I stop with corset in hand, staring at the bed.
At first, I thought Nan’s phone call was just to give her opinion about Leo and I getting married.
A few jabs here and there about him being secretive and trying to act nonchalant about the situation, including us being gone for so long.
I didn’t tell her anything like us lying about being in Boston, but then she brought up her recent trip to Georgia.
Someone else is pregnant, her grand-nephew is starting pre-school, and something about a girl’s trip. That’s when she admitted she’s moving.
Her voice was solemn bringing up that she liked the weather there more. To be around her family and help them as more babies come into the picture. I could hear the craving for a normal life. The softness there, but also the fear. Nan knew she’d never have the peaceful life she wanted in New York.
I couldn’t blame her. And I didn’t have the heart to take that away when she had the opportunity to take it. Honestly, I think the only reason she ever stayed was because of the guy who was fleecing her, otherwise she would’ve left years ago and took me with her.
Except, now she’s leaving.
After Steve broke in, the cameras fucked with, the letter, and me being chased out of New York…
deep down I knew she would never feel safe again, even with the renovations and security upgrades.
She became distant, literally and figuratively.
I understood, but it hurt. I know she loves me, but a faint pain is there.
My thoughts are brought back to the present when Leo enters the bedroom, adjusting his dark dress shirt.
He hasn’t shaved, stubble shadowing his jaw.
He pauses when he sees me, and I hold up the corset.
He comes over, taking it from me and places it around my body as I bring my elbows up.
He helps adjusts its position, bringing my arms back down before he starts lacing me up.
“Who was on the phone?” He asks as I hear the ribbon slide through an eyelet.
“Nan.”
“How is she?”
I swallow hard. “Fine.”
Leo’s hands slide over my body, smoothing down the velvet before tightening the corset. My breathing slows, closing my eyes as I feel the constriction around my torso. Peace from the compression seeps through me.
“Nan’s moving to Georgia. Permanently,” I say quietly. Leo’s fingers continue working. “She said she’ll talk with us when we get back, but she…is giving the bookstore to me. “
“Are you okay with that?”
“Yeah. Was a dream at one point, taking over for her, but never thought she’d actually leave New York or the bookstore entirely.” I sigh as he tightens it further down. “I can’t blame her.”
Leo ties off the lacing, tucking away the end pieces beneath my corset. His hands glide up to my shoulders, resting there as he kisses my head.
“People change,” he murmurs.
“I know.” I reach up and touch his hand. “She wasn’t going to tell me yet until we returned, but…we’d been gone so long she wasn’t sure when we’d be back. It sounds like she didn’t want to wait.”
Sighing, I walk away to finish getting ready.
Leo pulls on his shoulder gun holster, pulling on his suit jacket to conceal them.
He checks his cuffs as I check my hair, and then grab my small knife and hide it under my corset against my ribcage.
It disappears completely as I slide my hands down the velvet material.
Leo comes over, pausing me to cup my cheek.
His eyes search mine, brow slightly furrowing. I take his hand, kissing his wrist.
“I’m alright. I knew it was coming. She’s been slowly stepping back…just didn’t think it’d be this soon. And I think she’s mad we got married, too.”
“We’ll talk with her when we get home,” he says softly. “If you want.”
I shake my head. “She wants peace, her family, and to feel safe again. Her life, not mine.”
He inhales a long breath but doesn’t say anything more as he kisses my cheek. Leo takes my hand, leading me out of the room. I shove aside the unsure feelings of change, focusing on his hand around mine as we leave for Vincenzo’s party.
Vincenzo’s villa, one of many apparently, is just outside of Rome.
The place is huge as it feels like we’re pulling up outside a castle.
A long drive leads to the main entrance, past a maze of hedges, groves, and side paths I’m guessing for employees.
Once parked, and I step out with Leo, I look up at the three-story building.
It’s massive with bright lights illuminating the stonework.
There are dozens of cars, lined up to be parked by valets as people enter the villa.
Our other car with the rest of our bodyguards pulls up.
“Keep your heads on a swivel. Only hover,” Leo instructs Michael.
“Yes, boss.”
Michael, Igor, and Garett will be the only ones inside with us tonight.
Owen’s taking care of last-minute details before we depart.
Rudy and Animal are in the other car but will be leaving to oversee sending Matteo back to the states tonight.
We knew Vincenzo would have his own security, I can plainly see that just looking at the entrance and the dozens of his men standing around.
Leo was one of the few allowed to even bring his own.
Otherwise, it’s just hundreds of fancily dressed people.
Leo takes my hand as we head inside. There’s a large courtyard that leads through another archway, and then doors to a grand foyer entrance.
“What is this place?” I ask.
“Vincenzo’s favorite villa, although it’s constructed more like a fortress or castle,” Leo answers, glaring at one of the security guards who quickly looks away. “He uses it for large parties like this for the…elite as it were.”
“Meaning?”
“Government officials will sometimes have parties here, along with other big hitters.”
“For a price and protection?”
He flicks his gaze to me, and I nod in understanding.
More people are seen mingling, moving with us towards the inside.
The grand foyer has two large staircases leading up towards he second floor, winding up into a large circular balcony.
Everything is extravagant as I note other hallways, one I see towards the back outside.
Honestly, it seems like Vincenzo was trying to modernize a palace that once stood during Rome’s height of success, merging modern and renaissance art.
Tingling of warning goes up my spine as my eyes slide towards the guests and servers. Instinctively, I step closer to Leo. We go up the stairs and then another set that leads us to the rooftop terrace.
If I thought below looked like Roman times, this took the cake.
Columns line the sides, decorated in gold and vines, between them are fires burning in bronze bowls.
Red and violet sheer curtains drape above us, rippling in the breeze.
People fill the space, dressed in suits and gowns.
Tables are adorned with decorations and flowers.
There are stone railings bordering the entire rooftop that you can see out towards the groves, maze, and gardens of the villa.
On the left and right, there’s walkways to smaller terraces just as brightly decorated.
There has to be over a thousand people here. One hell of a party.
“So, did he really love Gladiator…or am I stereotyping?” I whisper to Leo.
He snorts. “You saw his club. He’s excessive with his show of power and influence. And he loves showing off to visiting friends.”
“How Commodus of him,” I say sarcastically. Leo snorts, but keeps his stoic expression.
A shout comes from the side, and I flinch.
It’s Vincenzo, who quickly comes over to greet us.
From there, everything blurs with the party.
Everyone mostly speaks Italian, making my head swim as I try to translate what words I catch, but then stop when French, Portuguese, and another language I don’t recognize are spoken next.
Most conversations are geared towards Leo, thankfully.
There are also congratulations on our marriage, but I catch snide looks and narrowed gazes, too.
Women try at times to fawn over Leo, but get taken aback whenever he glares at them.
Vincenzo seems to enjoy witnessing it, waving them off as I stay next to Leo.
From time to time, I look around and find our three bodyguards who are stationed around the party. Garett and Igor appear grumpy each time I see them, while Michael between his serious scowls will give me a half-hearted smile when I look in his direction.
While mingling, I note more hallways that lead to other stairs or rooms. One to the bathrooms I presume, and servers keep reappearing from the other terraces. My anxiety runs over my skin. I breathe, telling myself to relax and I’m just on edge due to the very large and loud crowd.
I don’t dare to stand too close to the terrace edge or end up near it.
While Leo speaks with a couple of other men, I look up and notice it’s a full moon. I continue staring up at the night sky, feeling him caress my skin as I sip my sparkling water. Another souring in my stomach hits me, yanking at me.
You’re in a party of mobsters and jealous women, that’s why you’re on edge.
“Check in,” Leo whispers next to my ear.
I look at him, finding concerned hazel eyes that flick over my features. “Green.”
He takes my left hand, kissing it adoringly and there’s some murmurs and chuckles from the group he’s been talking with.
Leo stands straighter as he turns his head towards Vincenzo in a menacing manner.
The others in the small group, step back, but Vincenzo doesn’t move.
He just grins merrily. He says something, waving them away and they leave.
“He’s going to scare away potential partners, signora,” Vincenzo muses.
“Then they’re not good enough to do business with,” I retort sweetly.
He grins broader, chuckling to himself as he sips his drink. “You both shall be missed when you leave Italy. You’ll have to visit soon. Don’t take as long as usual, eh, Luciano?”
“If you make the trip worthwhile,” Leo rebukes.
“Of course, but you must admit Italy herself is reason enough to be admired from up close, not a distance.” He gestures to the night sky and gardens beyond us, but his gaze stays on me. “All her glory should be revered.”
He winks at me. Kiss ass.
He switches to Italian, speaking quickly with Leo as he gestures to the party. I go back to star gazing and then out to the large maze. Why wouldn’t I be surprised if a minotaur statue was in there somewhere?
A breeze shifts, blowing curtains towards us. A scent drifts under my nose, a musky one with the lingering smell of stale cigars and a spicy cologne I can’t place. My mind sparks, blaring in warning as I glance towards where the wind comes from. Just guests. Bodyguards in black.
“I’ll be back,” Leo murmurs against my ear. “Stay within our security’s sights.”
I nod, forcing a smile as he follows Vincenzo and two other men. Important looking men. All four head towards one of those hallways, and I’m assuming they want to discuss something privately.
I place my drink onto a wandering waiter’s tray, then glance back out to the gardens.
I must admit, everything here is beautiful.
Music plays, switching to something more upbeat.
Warning flicks over my skin again. I look over my shoulder.
People are dancing and there’s more than before.
I’d caught word about fireworks going off sometime tonight, something Vincenzo does for every party.
Remembering that, I move away from the terrace edge and start to walk between some of the columns.
The music gets louder, people chattering and laughing as I stop near a table with desserts.
I flick my gaze, seeing Igor has moved. Michael looks at a group of women talking.
My gaze keeps moving, and I glance towards where I’d been.
My stomach drops. Warning screams as my breaths become shallow, telling me I should’ve listened to my damn gut.
His head slowly turns towards me.
How the fuck did he get in here?
I turn and head down between the columns. I weave through people, and someone shouts right before there’s a boom in the distance. Fireworks go off, glittering as popping noises fill the air. The sky becomes alight as I scan for Leo or Vincenzo. Which hall was it again?
My mind spins, flailing to think, except fear overtakes it all.
It blurs my thoughts as I pick up my pace.
I rush towards one of the halls to the stairs but come upon a huge crowd coming up to watch the fireworks.
I step to the side, searching for one of our bodyguards, but can’t see them.
They’re lost to the crowd and movement, booms muting out the cheers.
I try to skirt past some people as the crowd thins, soon realizing it’s the wrong hall I needed to find Leo. I turn around, determined to find him, but run right into someone.
“Scuse,” I say, backing up, but rough hands grab my forearm.
Cold terror slides over me as I rip my arm out of their hold. I look up and find dark brown eyes.
I forgot how big he is, tall and broad like a heavyweight bouncer. His black hair is grown out, swept back with too much gel and a beard. His skin is worn and overly tanned, like he forgot to use sunscreen for months. There’s a scar above his right eye, cutting through his thick brow.
The past flickers as I finally remember a glass bottle flying; my hands cut from grabbing it too hard.
He looks down at the hand that had touched me, and then brings it up to slide his tongue over his palm. I feel sick as he gives me a sinister smile that makes my blood run cold.
“Still a fighter, eh?” His voice is raspy and deep, threat lacing it. “Marriage hasn’t tamed you yet…Sarah.”
My hands tremble as I take another step back. Pops occur above, pinks and yellows burst through the sky behind him. It adds a chilling ambiance as I swallow hard, gripping every ounce of courage I have.
“Buonasera, Gabriel.”