Chapter 8
CHAPTER 8
Angelina
Angelina blew the long strand of wayward hair out of her face. The past few days had been hectic to say the least. It was bad enough going from the routine of classes to a full-time job but now she was going to be living in Florence with her new, grumpy fiancé.
Her time with family had been too short. Despite being able to fly home anytime she wanted it was still hard to get away. Her parents’ schedules were just as demanding. Her siblings were busy with sports and upcoming summer activities. At least Carabella would be here to keep her company. How she wished Bella were her roommate instead of the don in training . Yes, Angelina had heard rumblings about Joseph being outed, but she still didn’t believe it.
Bella had left earlier that morning with Dante. Angelina still struggled to wrap her brain around Jasper and Jackie allowing her to stay. And with Dante by her side most of the time! Was a match being planned between the two?
After Joseph held the door open for her, she sank into the warm leather seats. Angelina tried her best to enjoy the view as he expertly maneuvered down the narrow roads. They passed green countryside, lush vineyards, and quaint villages.
Joseph appeared deep in thought. The last thing she wanted to do was ask what brewed in the dungeons of his brain. At least she had a new job to look forward to and decorating their apartment would be fun. If it were going to be their home for a while, she’d insist on picking out the furnishings. For now, only the basic necessities would be waiting for them.
Her phone buzzed. Angelina pulled it out of her tote and frowned at the one-word text.
Nepotism
What the hell did that mean? The number was listed as unavailable. Weird. Last week, she received one saying ‘favoritism.’ At the time, it didn’t register with her as anything but spam, but now she started to wonder if it was something more ominous.
“Who was that?” Joseph asked. He always smelled wonderful and being in the tight quarters just emphasized it. Tones of leather, cashmere, and oak followed him everywhere. Against her better judgement, she was only too eager to follow.
“No one.” She mumbled and tossed the phone back into the bag. “Are we almost there?”
He chuckled and glanced her way. “You sound like one of those kids always asking, ‘are we there yet’ every ten minutes.”
“The sooner I can get away from you and your smell the better.” Ever since she’d gotten in the vehicle, the space had been overwhelmed with his presence. Joseph had always been tall and lean, but now he’d filled out. He seemed even larger since they’d last been together. At least six foot two now if she had to guess.
“Here I thought you would love the cologne.”
She did. If the seatbelt weren’t holding her back, she’d be nose deep in his soft, dark hair. “Why would I?” It did seem familiar.
“You gave it to me.”
“I did?”
“Yeah.”
It all came back to her. She’d gone to a scent workshop with her cousins. While others in the group created floral and girlie perfumes, Angelina had unknowingly put together one with her best friend in mind.
“That was years ago. You obviously don’t wear it much.” She smirked.
“I’ve had it refilled many times. I’m on a first-name basis with the ladies at the shop.”
“I bet you are.” The fact he still enjoyed the scent threw her for a loop.
“It reminds me of you and how you once cared enough to design it for me.”
“It wasn’t for you. I just didn’t care for it after the session was done.” When did she become such a liar?
“Sure, you didn’t. And yet you went to the trouble of wrapping it up and adding a gift card?”
“It was your birthday.”
“My birthday was months away. Face it, Angel, you use to have the hots for me.”
“I felt sorry for you.” Liar!! Heat rushed to her face.
Joseph broke out into laugher. It was so unexpected, she couldn’t help but turn and stare.
“I still have no clue what happened between us, but I will figure it out. We were always meant to be together. I gave you your space and time to grow up. You’re mine now so get used to it.”
“Never. Are we almost there?” It finally dawned on her to check the GPS on her phone. They were only about twenty minutes out. The guy had her so confused she didn’t know what was up.
“Soon.” His phone rang. “Yeah.”
For several minutes, he replied with simple yes or no answers before finally ending the call.
“Any news?” The model who had disappeared had everyone on edge.
“About what?” Joseph inhaled and slowly exhaled.
“About what? Everything. The reason I have to have you shadowing me and this stupid fake engagement.”
“We already went over this. It’s not fake.” His voice held a hard edge.
“Ha, as if my father would allow it. I also know Roman likes to keep us in the dark. Control us like puppets. He thinks he’s protecting the family but it’s the worst thing to do.” Angelina grew up listening to stories of their parent’s courtships and the trouble the men had gotten into.
“I promise you.” He covered her hand with his.
Her throat went dry and the heated seats hotter.
“If there is anything you need to know, I’ll be the first to tell you. To be honest, there’s a lot of unknowns right now. Threats from people who have never caused us issues before.” Joseph gave her hand a comforting squeeze before returning it to the wheel.
The weird texts flashed through her mind. Were they a concern? It was probably spam or a jealous former fellow student. If it happened again, she’d mention it for sure.
Finally, the historic city of Florence came into view. They maneuvered the busy streets before pulling up alongside a four-story brick building. Joseph pushed a button on the dash. A wall opened up to reveal a hidden garage door. Dante’s vehicle was already parked next to an elevator.
Joseph parked beside it. After getting out, Angelina retrieved her tote bags and a small carryon. Joseph relieved her of them and added them to the one he was carrying. From the looks of things, he hadn’t planned on staying in Europe so had a limited supply of clothes.
The small garage was well lit with cameras everywhere. Joseph waved a key card and the elevator door opened. After a quick ride, it stopped on their floor.
“Do I get a card key?”
“We’ll see.” He motioned for her to go first.
The place was huge. It seemed like they had the entire fourth floor. There was a small lobby right off the entrance. A peak inside revealed a place for coats, keys, and other things you might want to drop off or pick up before heading out the door. A full-length wall of windows brought in natural light to the large living room, where the beauty of Florence stretched out below. The furniture included the basics, a leather couch, some chairs, and a few pieces of art on the wall. A theatre room, another living room, two offices, four bathrooms, three bedrooms, and a state-of-the-art kitchen completed the apartment.
The decor was fairly modern with antique furnishings mixed in. The stainless-steel kitchen had iron trays and brightly motif dishes peeking through the glass cupboards. Even though it was put together in a short amount of time, it was fully furnished. She opened the hidden refrigerated door, glad to find it well stocked. No going to the grocery store for them.
“I’ll show you to your room. Unless you want to stay with me.” After ridding himself of the numerous bags, Joseph had returned empty handed with a wicked grin on his face.
“No, thanks.” But for how long? He was too much of a temptation to resist forever.
“Too bad. Yours is this way.” Angelina followed him down the hall to the place where she would be staying. It was a good-sized room with a big walk-in closet. Her bags sat on the floor. The furnishings were a bit pastel for her liking but they could be changed. The bedspread was a blue and white floral print. Nope, not her at all.
“I’ll let you get settled. There’s a packet in the office with your work key card, employee badge, and other information Madison and Roman wanted you to have. We can go over your schedule whenever you’re ready.”
Schedule? How polite and boring he’d become. What and who had been on the phone call he’d taken to change his demeaner so fast?
After he left, she used the bathroom, plugged in her phone, shed her shoes for a pair of comfy slippers, and acquainted herself with the rest of the place. One of the other bedrooms caught her eye and couldn’t help but wander in.
It was filled with dark wood furniture with burgundy and hunter green accents. The bedroom was warm, inviting, and more her style. Inhaling deeply, the wonderful scent of leather and vanilla comforted her. It had to be Joseph’s.
“Did you need something?” Joseph exited a closet. From the looks of it, it was even bigger than hers. He’d change into sweatpants which only highlighted his long legs and fit body.
“No.” Her voice was hoarse and raspy. “I like this room better, so I was checking it out.”
“Like I said you’re welcome to join me anytime, Angel.”
“How about I take this one and you can have mine?” She hoped he’d agree.
“No deal. Follow me.” He turned her around and led her to her office. How was she going to survive living in the same place as him and not cave into desire? She sat at the large, oak desk in the middle of the room. They spent the next thirty minutes going over the details of security, the building, and her schedule at Caponelli designs. The more time they spent in each other’s company the more she missed their past relationship.
Joseph’s blatant pursuit of her would wear her down in no time. “Are you listening?”
“Yeah, yeah. I must be in contact with you at all times. I have to notify you if anything seems out of the ordinary. Blah, blah, blah.” She was being a brat making her head throb, but, oh well, he’d had to get used to her eccentricities.
Her bossy bodyguard tapped the key card on the desk and gave her a stare down. His beautiful mouth opened and closed a couple times but no words came out.
“Are we done?” She smirked.
“With this? Yes. With everything else going on between us, no.”
“There is nothing between us.” She stood.
“As you keep saying, but you’ll be begging you to marry me soon.”
“Yeah. Yeah. Keep dreaming.”
“Do you want to go somewhere to eat tonight with Dante and Bella?”
“I have a headache. I’m going to lay down.”
“Do you need anything? Should I call a doctor?”
“The only cure I need is for you to disappear.” Angelina marched down the hallway. She’d always prided herself on being kind to others and here she was treating someone who used to be her best friend like dirt. The last few days had unhinged her. Stress was not her friend. What she needed now was time alone.
She was angrier at herself than him and slammed the door to her room. The king-size bed was a welcome embrace as Angelina sank into the middle and threw a blanket over herself. Fatigue overcame her and was soon asleep and dreaming of happier times.
“Princess where are you?” Her feet were wet, and she was chilled to the bone. Five-year-old Angelina had searched high and low for her kitten, but the little tabby was nowhere to be found. It was hard to distinguish her tears from the rain streaming down her face. It was her fault the tiny cat had escaped. Her Aunt Madison told her not to leave the pet outside alone but she’d run to the kitchen to get a snack and forgot. If Princess died, she’d be heartbroken, and it’d be all her fault.
Sniffling, Angelina called and called. It was a miracle the guards hadn’t seen her. It was a small crew tonight at the Caponelli’s and most were somewhere else with the family. Her father had said something big was going on, so she and her mother were staying there.
Lightning lit up the sky and the following crash of thunder made her jump. The wind was so strong, the lake was full of white caps. Angelina wasn’t supposed to go near the water by herself but what if Princess had fallen in? Cats didn’t like water, and Princess probably couldn’t swim.
Her feet slipped on the wet grass as she hurried to the shore. Hugging her soggy stuffed bear, Bozo, to her chest, she carefully stepped onto the white planks of the deck and gazed at the angry waves crashing against the rocks. There. Something moved in the water. Angelina bent at the waist to get a closer look.
Water ran up her nose as soon as she slipped beneath the surface and darkness engulfed her. It was only seconds but it seemed like hours before someone grabbed her arm and pulled her to safety. Her teeth rattled as she clung to the warm body carrying her to the house.
“What were you doing? You could have drowned.” Joseph. The oldest of Madison and Roman’s kids. His voice was a combination of worry and fury. He’d never had time for her. She’d once overheard him call her a stupid little girl.
“Let me go.” She struggled. “I have to find Princess.”
“The cat? You’re out here in this storm and almost drowned because of a cat?”
Between sobs and crying, Angelina nodded, her hair plastered to her head.
“I’ll find her.”
“You will?” Hope spiked.
Under the awning of the patio, he set her down to safely. “Yes, but you have to do one thing for me.”
“What?” Her cold as ice lips trembled.
“Go inside. Get out of these wet clothes and get into bed before you get sick.”
“You promise me?”
“Yes, now go before you get us both in trouble.”
She ran inside and did exactly what he’d told her to do. The storm intensified and as soon as she had her pajamas on, Angelina jumped into bed and hid under the covers, too worried to sleep. Plus, she couldn’t sleep without her bear. Bozo had been lost in the fall.
Hours later the rain had eased and dawn finally started to break. She startled with the slight creak of her door opening. Too tired to move, she pretended to sleep.
Something raced around her bed. She pulled back the covers to see.
“Princess!” Angelina squealed as she reached down for the energetic kitten. Her fur was fluffy and clean as if she’d had a bath. Hugging her to her chest, she spied Bozo by her side, clean and dry.
“Joseph.” She sat up in bed to see him standing outside her door. Bags shadowed his eyes and his clothes were damp and wrinkled. He’d taken time to wash her bear and kitten but had yet to take care of himself. “Thank you.”
“Never go out in the darkness alone.”
“I won’t.” She snuggled back into bed with a kitten under one arm and bear tucked beneath the other. He was her hero and always would be.
Angelina woke with a start. Like it had happened yesterday, the dream was so vivid. Her foot hit something soft at the bottom of the bed. Reaching down, her heart skipped a beat. It was a stuffed bear so close to the one she’d had as a kid.
Joseph must have put it there. He’d been in her room. Was this a peace offering or simply something to comfort her? Everything was new and overwhelming. The apartment, her job, and their fake engagement. She’d not realized until now how really alone she was and always had been.
Touching the velvety softness of the toy, it stirred something deep inside her. Joseph was not the nice gentle boy of their childhood. He was an initiated mafia member an on-demand killer for hire, and I will never settle down with one women kind of guy. Yet, he was with her. He was here for her. Joseph could have turned down her hand. She’d have been forced to go home. Not to mention he seemed to want it, want her.
Did this job really mean so much to her? Was it worth changing both their lives forever? Never would he agree to something so frivolous. There was more to this arrangement than she thought. There had to be.
Hugging the bear to her chest, some of the tension drifted away. The gesture was meant to mean something. To remind her she’d never have to go it alone. It was promise she’d made many years ago.