Chapter 18
Anna
The living room is spacious, the blue skies outside taking up the entire wall of glass facing out to the ocean.
The style suits him, a very modern feel with a masculine flare, a tan leather sectional in front of a deep dark brown and light tan mixture of slate fireplace.
I could see how in the winter with the wind blowing off the ocean it would be warm and cozy.
The couch is devoid of pillows, or throws, or anything. Something about the space tells me that he’s not here often or at least it’s not his favorite spot in the house. Maybe it’s the new look of the leather, not even worn in one place at all.
The kitchen floor is tiled in a heavy cream-colored stone that’s polished to a high gloss.
It spills across not only the kitchen but the adjacent dining room with a rectangular table which sits in front of a window that has a completely different view of the ocean.
I pull out drawer after drawer of the modern cabinetry, inspecting the collection of luxury stainless steel pots and pans that are all organized in such neat fashion it makes me wonder if they are ever used.
Yet, I know that he cooked for me. At least that’s what he said. He’s either cooked for me or had someone cook the most delicious meals for the last couple weeks. Envisioning him in this kitchen cooking for me makes butterflies that shouldn’t even exist dance in my belly.
The pasta maker on the cabinet calls to my inner desires. I could cook for him…
I begin to rummage in the cabinets and pull out this and that, until I have all the ingredients to keep myself busy making pasta for today and a few days to come, and a sauce with fresh tomatoes, onions, garlic, and carrots for a little sweetness.
I’m so caught up in the process that time simply melds away until I have fresh pasta wrapped in knots and covered in cellophane in the refrigerator and a pot of sauce just like my nana used to make simmering on the stove.
A glance at the clock a little later and I decide to explore the options on the big screen in the living room while the sauce cooks.
It takes me a while to actually get the television to come on with the fancy little remote.
Once I do, I’m skimming through programs like a pro and settle on a fitness channel running a Pilates series.
Time to relax and get back in touch with my body is just what I need. I pull on a pair of leggings, but there’s not one shirt that I can wear, only dresses, lingerie, and little to nothing else.
I roll my eyes, because clearly when Vincenzo told the buyers what to purchase only one thing was on his mind.
I shouldn’t snoop, but I leave my room dressed in leggings, bare feet and a bra and nothing else.
I console myself with the fact that he told me to make myself at home.
Surely the man has a T-shirt and a pair of socks I can borrow.
The room next to mine. It has to be his room, because I can smell him.
The scent of his subtle masculine cologne fills my nostrils as I enter, confirming I was right.
A huge king-size four poster bed is situated on one wall, giving him a perfect view of the sky as he wakes.
I vaguely wonder what the sunrise would look like over the Atlantic from his spot in bed when he wakes up.
Probably similar to mine because the room is not laid out much different, but I bet it would be a much different experience watching the sun rise with him in this bed as he holds me in his arms.
My cheeks heat. Seriously, I have a bad case of attraction to this man. I’m going insane, I’m convinced of it. But a smile touches my lips just thinking about his return tonight and I simply don’t care.
The attached bathroom is enormous, complete with a huge glass enclosed shower, gleaming wall tile, and a large soaking tub fills a space that sits underneath another window with a view just like the dining room The ocean shimmers for miles in the distance below the magnificent blue sky.
A peek into the walk-in closet tells me I’ll find what I need amongst the tailored Armani suits and Italian leather shoes.
The man has a style; that’s for damn sure and he makes every suit he wears look mighty fine.
I move a few pairs of dark socks in one of the drawers and my hand brushes against the cold hard steel of the butt of a black Glock.
I pick it up, turning it in my hand. No external safety on a Glock.
I angle the gun away from myself and rack the slide, firm and quick.
The chamber opens briefly but nothing ejects.
I check the opening, pressing the magazine release.
It slides into my palm, heavy enough to tell me it’s not empty.
I replace it back to how I found it, ready for any surprises, that’s for damn sure.
If I had to guess that’s not the only loaded gun in this penthouse.
At least it wasn’t in the house I grew up in.
You never knew if a rival was going to suddenly get through your protection—posing as a new recruit, a rat slipped in, an employee that was planted.
Life in the underground necessitates precaution and backup plans for the backup plans.
I close the drawer and open the next, smiling at the casual T-shirts all folded neatly.
One of these should work just fine. I unfold the first one on the pile.
Black, not a thing on it, just black. And I bet it fits across that broad chest of his just like a glove.
I slip it on and am picturing Vincenzo in the shirt that I now wear when a noise in the other room catches my attention.
I walk toward the sound coming from the kitchen and stare in surprise at a young woman with pretty dark hair who has to be my age or less, putting something in the refrigerator.
Her eyebrows raise as she assesses me from head to toe.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize Vincenzo had company.
I’m his sister, Lanah. I said some not so nice things to him a few days ago and was bored today so I thought I’d surprise him with his favorite dessert.
It’s in the refrigerator.” She grins and extends a hand.
“Nice to meet you.” She pauses as though waiting for me to give her a name.
I grasp her hand and give her a smile, not sure what Vincenzo will want me to do in this situation. “I’m Anna. A friend.”
She nods but she can’t disguise the smile or the amusement in her eye. “A very talented friend. The smell of that sauce.” She puts her fingers together. “Magnifico.”
Vincenzo’s sister is outgoing and bubbly, nothing like him at all. Maybe in coloring with dark hair and eyes but she is petite and delicate where he and his brother Nicolo are extremely tall, muscular and well built.
“Sorry I barged in on you. I have a key for when I’m in the city with friends. We’ve just recently moved into the penthouses across the way now though. It’s supposed to be temporary, but we’ll see.”
“It’s not a problem. I was just going to get a workout and then a shower before Vincenzo returns. Otherwise, I would have, well I wouldn’t be meeting you in his T-shirt and bare feet.”
She laughs, glancing up at the big screen on the wall. “Well, enjoy your workout. It was very nice to meet you, Anna. Don’t be surprised if our mamma stops in unexpectedly to meet you. She’ll be curious to see who Vincenzo has brought into his home. He’s never done that before.”
Butterflies dance in my belly. I laugh. “Only if you tell her I’m here.”
She gives me a wink. “True enough but it would certainly be fun. I’ll try to contain myself, but I have to admit, it’s going to be hard.”
“I’ll let Vincenzo know there’s a dessert in the refrigerator. I’m sure he’ll love it.”
She heads to the door. “I hope you enjoy it too.”
The door closes, leaving me wondering about the entire situation until I’m warmed up and well into keeping up to the instructor’s routine. Only when I’m a sweaty mess and feel like every muscle in my body has been truly worked do I stir the sauce and head to the shower.
But one thing keeps running through my mind. He’s moved his family to the penthouse for a reason and hasn’t told them a thing about me. He’s protecting them while he’s protecting me, but little do they know I’m the reason they need protection.
I’m the reason his little sister is in danger, and his mamma?
By the time I’m done with my shower I’ve worked myself into a terrible state.
It was bad enough when I thought Vincenzo was putting himself in danger, his brothers, but meeting Lanah, knowing what families do to their enemies, knowing that she could be in harm’s way because of me?
There’s really only one thing to do…