13. Acts of Service #4
My eyes widened, and sweat beaded on my skin. How the hell was I supposed to answer that when I didn’t even know myself? I wanted to throw multiple adjectives at him to make him understand. Confusing. Addictive. Thrilling. Infuriating. But I knew that wasn’t what he meant.
“Um—”
“There is no relationship,” my father argued. “He’s her stalker, and she’s innocent!”
Heat flushed across my cheeks as I dipped my head. I could feel the commissioner studying me, which only deepened the blush.
“Signorina Caruso?”
“Um–at first, I’d say it was… or, it had the potential to be romantic,” I whispered. My father froze behind me, so I quickly continued. “But that was before I realised my father’s concerns about him. Then I told him I wasn’t interested and to stay away from me.”
“Okay.” Marrone nodded. “And how many times since then has he shown up at your work or home?”
“Um,” I looked up at the ceiling. “Twice. I think.”
He glanced down at the notepad he held in his hands, then looked back up at me. “And are you afraid of him? Do you feel unsafe?”
The sensible voice in my head told me to say yes.
Because I should be afraid of him, right?
My father feared him for a reason. All of this was for a reason.
But when faced with that question, the truth was…
at this moment in time, I wasn’t afraid of him.
I didn’t believe he’d actually cause me any harm.
“Aria?” My papi placed his hands on the back of the sofa behind me, leaning down. “Answer the commissioner.”
“I-I don’t know,” I confessed, rubbing my temples.
“Look, I know how this looks and sounds, officer. He’s given me a massage, brought me food at work, ran me a bubble bath, and all our meetings could have been coincidences, but I have told him to stay away from me, and he’s not listening. I don’t know what more I can do.”
The police officer closed his notepad and picked up his recording device from the table.
“Unless the surveillance footage shows his entry into the building or apartment, or you find those text messages, I don’t think there’s enough evidence to file a petition for a civil protection order in court.
But even without evidence, we can still file based on your statement, if you wish. ”
“I–um,” I avoided looking at my papi as I squeezed my hands together nervously. “Can I think about it?”
The grunt of disapproval from my father was enough to make me sink lower into the chair.
“Of course. And in the meantime, if you feel threatened or Signor Buccini’s unwanted behaviour continues, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us straight away, Signorina. Because of the nature of stalking in your statement, I will issue a verbal warning to Signor Buccini this evening.”
“I will.” I nodded, standing up. “Thank you, officer.”
Once the police had gone, I looked at my papi, who was already staring at me with so much disappointment that I wanted to curl up into a ball.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you everything.”
“Aria.” He stormed forward and grasped my shoulders. “I understand why you didn’t tell me. You were embarrassed because he played you. But sweetheart, you need to wake up. You’re not afraid of him because scaring you wasn’t his aim. Seducing you was. But now, I fear we’ve awakened a beast.”
I swallowed hard. For the first time, genuine fear skated down my spine. Shit, that made sense. I was safer while he was trying to seduce me. Now, he’ll be pissed.
“Call in sick to work tonight. I’ll ring Damiano and let him know you won’t be going in.”
I nodded, sinking back onto the sofa to let him take control because I wasn’t sure working tonight was the best idea, anyway. I wouldn’t be able to concentrate on anything.
“That’s strange. He’s not answering.”
“Maybe he’s sleeping. He did do last night’s shift with me,” I said, yawning myself.
“That doesn’t matter,” Papi replied. “He knows it’s his job to be available whenever necessary.
” He tried calling him again, but there was still no answer.
“Cazzo. I have back-to-back meetings all day and a chamber dinner this evening.” He glanced at me.
“Are you really going to be stubborn about leaving this place? I don’t want you in here alone. ”
“I’ll be fine, Papi. Just send a different bodyguard to stand outside my door.”
“I have a better idea,” he mumbled, walking towards my kitchen and pouring himself a glass of water with his phone pressed between his ear and shoulder. “Callum. Are you free this afternoon and evening?”
I sat bolt upright, my eyes wide as I shook my head at my papi. He ignored me, of course.
“Bravo. Would you be able to stay with Arianna? I have work commitments, but I need someone I trust watching over her.”
“Papi!” I hissed, climbing off the sofa and scrambling towards him. I couldn’t believe he was doing this to me.
“Grazie. I’ll send you the address. Ciao.”
“I could murder you! That was so embarrassing!” I shouted, slamming my hand on the counter. He smirked and bopped my nose.
“Better you murder me than Buccini murders you, luce mia.”
Well, that shut me up.