Page 88 of Doll's Eye

“Then I shall go find her.” I give him a cloying smile with my head tilted. “Unless you need me for anything, my love.” I bat my eyelashes dramatically.

Not finding any amusement in my theatrics, he says, “Go ahead and find her. I’ll find you later.”

“Alrighty then. And don’t you worry, my love. I’llbehave. You boys have a wonderful day.” I blow Massimo a kiss and leave as briskly as I arrived.

As soon as I’m out of his office with Monte again at my side, the smile drops from my face and I exhale. Frankly bored with the ongoing performances. Monte tries to hide a chuckle making me give him a look.

We find Sarita in one of the sitting rooms, sipping from a fancy teacup and reading a book. She literally looks like somethingout of an old English movie. Her light hair is perfectly styled into silky curls, and her dress is even more modest than mine, showing off the bottom half of her long and slender legs. Her head pops up, and she gives me a radiant smile, standing to her feet.

“Alessia.” We kiss cheeks and she genuinely looks happy to see me which is quite endearing. We may not have been close when I lived here, but we were almost friends. “It’s so good to see you. I cannot tell you how relieved I am to see you back here. Massimo was not at all himself while you were away.”

While I was away?She makes it sound like I was on some sort of sabbatical or retreat. They tried to put a temporary spin on it, but I knew none of them ever planned on us coming back. I’m only here because I got myself into some trouble and Massimo decided to keep me as his little pet once again. No need to burden her with my drama though, so I don’t correct her in any way.

“Come sit with me. Would you like some tea?”

I go and sit. “I could actually use a cup of coffee.”

Monte says he’ll be back with coffee for me and leaves us. Of course, I automatically think about using this opportunity to make a run for it, but I know I won’t make it far. It's better I wait until I’m at one hundred percent.

“I, uh, asked my mother to join us. I hope that’s alright with you.” She drops her head slightly to one side as she studies me.

“Oh,” I say a little surprised. “Sure, of course, that’s alright. How is she?”

“Same as always.” Her shoulder hitches briefly. “How is your mother? And your sister?”

“Last I heard they’re good. They’re home now too.”

“That’s a relief to hear. So…a hitman?” She shields her amusement with her teacup.

I return it with my own. “I prefer hitwoman.” I sigh. “It was fun while it lasted.”

She giggles. “You really are a wild one. I wish I had more of your spirit.”

“You do just fine without it.” Monte comes in with a coffee for me and I thank him. “So, how’s Vita?”

The engaging smile on her face slips, giving way to a confused expression. “Massimo didn’t tell you?”

“Tell me what?”

“Vita’s gone.”

“What do you mean gone?”

“She packed up her stuff and left. About two years ago. Managed to completely disappear.”

“What? Are you sure she wasn’t taken?”

“Doesn’t look like it,” she says sadly.

“And you guys don’t know where she is?”

Her eyebrows draw in as she shakes her head. “We’re still looking, but wherever she is, she’s definitely trying not to be found.”

“Oh, shit. I’m so sorry.”

Just as she opens her mouth to say something else, Celia enters the room. “Alessia,” she says smiling and I stand up to properly greet her. “Let me look at you.” She holds me by my shoulders to do a once over then frowns when she looks at my cast. “Oh, no,piccolina. What happened?” It’s not surprising she’s clueless about what’s happening. She’s usually oblivious to everything.

“Uh, got in a little accident.” She gasps. “It was quite a few weeks ago. I’m okay now.”