Page 25 of The One
“You could work on your designs. You’ve got your sketchbooks.”
“I suppose.”
I hang up my jacket, taking in the space. My eyes land on a large, black case on the top shelf, next to a clear storage box with extra pillows and blankets.
Is that…?
“You know, I thought of you while I was getting ready for bed. This is your chance, Mari!”
“My chance for what?”
“You’re away from Sicily and all the restrictions Father puts on us. This is a precious gift! Use it.
“If we had money hidden away, I’d say make a run for it. But as we don’t, you must make the best of it. Explore the city, make new friends, take a lover. Better still, seduce Mateo De Marco.”
I laugh at that, loudly. I’m glad I’m in the closet and nobody can hear us.
“I wouldn’t know how to seduce a man. Let alone Mateo De Marco.” Remembering the girls I saw today, I sigh. “I’m not his type anyway. He likes blondes. I saw him with one at the airport. They were making out.”
Admittedly, I didn’t see him kiss her, but it was pretty obvious that’s what he was doing when he leaned into the car.
“And get this, there’s a blonde girl hidden away in this house. I had to take dinner to her and wasn’t allowed to speak. I’m kind of worried I’ll come across more of them,” I half joke.
“Who was she?”
“No idea. I didn’t look at her for long. But she was gorgeous.”
We chat for a while longer. It’s so good to hear Isa’s voice. We always spend time together after we’ve been sent to our rooms. It’s a little normalcy in an otherwise crazy day.
With the promise to talk again tomorrow, we hang up. Even though it’s late, I’m not tired. My nap on the plane must have recharged me enough.
Plus, it might take me a little while to get settled into this new environment, having never slept anywhere other than home.
I go back into the closet and stare at the black case.
Could I?
It’s in my room, and I think it might help me relax more.
I chew on my lips, debating what to do.
Screw it.
What does Mia always say?
It’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission.
Chapter Nine
Mariella
“Can we do it my way this time? It’s quick, it’s easy, and it’s clean,” I ask as Tiero, Rom, and I walk down the corridor to the holding cell at Carloso.
Grandfather had this place decked out with everything our family could need when he built it in the fifties, including interrogation cells, which really are more like torture chambers. I hate this part of the house. Thankfully, it’s underground and I don’t have to look at it when I’m here.
We don’t use it much anymore, preferring to take that kind of business to one of our warehouses, but tonight calls for it.
We captured Rizzo, and we need all the information he has.
