Page 87 of Nights At Sea

But it looks like it’s my only option at this stage… at least until I can come up with another solution.

The sound of footsteps has me look up, and I see my least favorite person approach. I wonder what Oriana could possibly want. Usually, when we’re in Gualtiero’s compound, the guards leave me alone and I can do as I please.

The look on her face makes it clear she doesn’t want to talk to me, either. Cold eyes meet mine when she stops a few feet from me.

I look at her expectantly, but she’s silent as she scans me from head to toe with obvious disdain, probably wondering what Gualtiero sees in me.

Well Oriana, that makes two of us.

“Is there a reason you ventured over here, Oriana?” I ask impatiently. I’m in no humor for her antics.

“Signor De Marco is waiting for you on the dining room terrace,” she informs me in a voice dripping with distaste.

I’ve pretty much had enough of her attitude. While I usually like to avoid confrontation, I think the time has come to meet this head on.

Channeling Opposite Ella, I ask, “Why do you dislike me so much, Oriana? What have I done to deserve your ire?”

Oriana glares at me with hatred in her eyes, but there’s also surprise. I bet she didn’t expect me to call her out on her rudeness.

“I’m here to do the job I’ve been assigned… whether or not I like it, is none of your concern,” she bites out.

“Oh, but it is. You see, whenever we’re in the same space, there’s this awkward tension which comes from your dislike of me. I suspect, your professional judgment is impaired by your emotions.”

“I can assure you, Miss O’Neil, I have no problems separating my emotions from the job I’m here to do.”

Beside me, little Brownie gets on his feet and growls at Oriana, and Milk follows suit. Only a few weeks old and already defending me… what little champions! Or perhaps they just don’t like my security guard.

Yeah, I’m with you, buddy.

I decide to venture on…Assume a virtue if you have it not, I remind myself.

“See. I don’t believe that for a second. I think you wouldn’t mind if I took a bullet and were gone from your life and Gualtiero’s,” I challenge. “You might think you’re hiding it well, but you’re really not. Your crush on Gualtiero is as obvious to me as this tree you’re standing under.”

She swallows hard, a blush creeping up her cheeks and neck. I knew it. She’s infatuated with him. Maybe, just maybe, I can use this to my advantage.

She remains silent, neither confirming nor denying my accusation verbally, but her body language speaks for itself.

How can I draw her out? How can I get her to drop the mask?

“What? You have nothing to say, Oriana?” I taunt her. “Does it bother you when you see Tiero touch me or give me heated looks? Do you wish it was you in my place? Receiving all his attention?”

Who am I right now?

I hardly recognize the scheming woman who’s using my body to speak. Sweet and innocent Ella must have left the building for a cup of tea with Elvis.

She stares at her feet, biting her lips. Her chest is heaving as she struggles to keep her composure. But I don’t want her restraint.

Rising to my feet, I get to within an inch of her face and challengingly ask, “Well?”

“You don’t deserve him,” she finally snaps. “You’re a distraction to him. A distraction he doesn’t need.A distraction that makes him weak. He’s slipping and the whole organization is suffering already.”

She hits me with a hateful glare, which I’m sure is meant to intimidate me, but instead I’m delighted.

“You might have noticed that I don’t want to be here. In fact, I’m sure you know I’m here against my will. It’s part of the reason you have to guard me… so that I don’t run away.”

I watch Oriana closely as I speak, but her expression has gone stony again, giving nothing away.

“Wouldn’t your life be so much better if I were gone? Think about it, Oriana. Gualtiero could return to his normal cruel self without me distracting him… and you never know,being the only woman in his inner circle, you might have a shot to be with him.”

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