Page 41 of Fall
14
Natalia
I stretch out in my bed, pushing the thin bed sheets off of me.
My body is still charged, amped up on arousal and pleasure since our early morning unplanned make out session in the pantry.
I was down in the kitchen fixing myself a coffee whenhe pulled me into the enclosed section of shelves at the back of the room that's kept stocked with all manner of food, cured meats, oils, drinks, and alcohol, all from Italy.
I didn't know Antonio had it in him. To corner me and make me come with his mouth and two fingers.
Smiling through a big, unexpected yawn, I cover my mouth and slide out of bed, wondering how much time I haveleft here. I’m still supposedly in the dark about Father’s plans. Someone should’ve said something by now. They can’t expect me to uproot my life without giving me some time to adjust.
Or time to pack.
Heading over to my closet, I stand in the doorway and look at the three lit walls of closet space. My two favorite pairs of skinny jeans are a must. I regretted every second I wentwithout them on this last trip to Italy, so if anything’s going with me, it’ll be those.
And my mother’s family crest.
Grabbing the folded jeans from their spot on an open, backlit shelf, I carry them over to my yet to be unpacked suitcases and drop them on top of the pile of shopping bags that Cassandra and Tammy Lou ransacked while looking for their shoes the other night. I kneelin front of the bags, contemplating what other few items I’ll take with me if I have to pack really light. My guess is if I’m going way underground, it won’t be smart to draw attention to myself with a ridiculous amount of luggage.
The sound of Father’s knock on my door startles me, and I jump at his uncanny timing.
“Come in,” I say, slightly panicked.
There are two thingsI can’t let him know.
First, that I’m already aware of what’s going on.
Second, that I’ve been doing dirty, naughty, sinful things with Antonio, his second in command, the man he sees as the son he never.
“Good morning, princess,” he greets me from the doorway but doesn’t step inside. “Did you sleep well?”
“Good morning, Father,” I answer, suddenly nervous. Or maybethat ball of tension in the pit of my stomach is my guilt. I have a lot to be guilty for. Lots to hide from him. “Yes, I did. You’ve been so busy lately. It’s like I haven’t seen you at all since Nonna and I got back.”
“I regret that,” he says, his voice hoarse. “Yes. It’s been a hectic time.”
“I don’t think I had a moment with you since the party,” I add.
"Listen, can youcome to the kitchen? I'm in a bit of a rush this morning. We can talk over coffee."
I push off the floor with both hands, moving to stand. “Of course. I’ll be right behind you.”
I pass the foyer just as one of the protection detail opens the front door, and catch a glimpse of Nonna's suitcases. It's the same ones she just traveled home with. Curious, I pull the door open and seethe guard is loading them up in the SUV.
Father calls me from the kitchen, so I head back inside for answers.
“Is Nonna going somewhere?” I ask, glad to finally have an opening.
He nods. "Yes. Some things have come up, and she decided to fly back to Italy to see her cousin. That's why I wanted to talk to you." Father rounds the kitchen center island and stops in front of theindustrial espresso maker. He pauses to look over at me while he has the Portafilter spring in one hand and a finger on the button to grind the espresso beans. "By the way, where were you last night?"
My heart starts pounding out of control in my chest at the question. It sounds like he knows, but I force myself to calm the hell down. He can’t know. If he did, he’d be in a fit of rage,smoking a cigar like a chimney, pacing around like a crazy person, and pounding into a wall, or into Antonio.
“Last night?” I repeat shakily in a question. “How do you mean?”
“You weren't in your room when I came to look for you.”
“Oh, was it like after midnight?” I scramble for a reasonable explanation but can’t think fast enough. “Because… I might’ve been in my closet...or the bathroom. Why were you looking for me?”
