Page 44 of Bought By the Mafia

“I’m not going to maul you,” he said as he strolled past me and went to open his door where he stood inviting me in. “Besides, you and I have things we need to talk about.”

“Things?” Whatever he was referring to sounded ominous. And could I say no? Probably, but I was curious to find out. With heavy feet, I entered the bedroom, and he closed the door behind me. For the first time that evening, we were alone. Giovanni did not share the same curious nervousness that I had. He threw the jacket he had in his hand on a nearby chair and removed his tie. Were we having sex? Is that what was happening? No. After throwing his tie in the same place he put his jacket, he went to sit on the bed facing me, arms crossed.

“You never told me why you did what you did?”

“The story I was telling during dinner. I don’t think there’s much expla—”

He shook his head. “I’m talking about the theft. Why you stole money from me.”

His gaze was scorching. It was like being under a spotlight in a sheer gown. “I thought I told you. I wanted it, so I took it.” Even the lie didn’t sound convincing to my ears and he didn’t buy it.

“I mean the truth. If we’re going to keep up with the truce, tell me what really happened.”

Did he find out something? He was not above looking into people’s pasts. If he could have me followed, I’m sure he had someone checking my background. “Why now?” I asked. “Why do you care what I say when you’d never believe me, anyway?”

“Let’s just say some things aren’t adding up when it comes to you and I would like to know the real you.”

I let out a strained laughter. “So you are looking into me,” I said it out loud without meaning to, and he didn’t even look ashamed.

“I had to at some point, you know that.”

“And what did your detective say about me?”

“I want to hear the truth from you,” his voice was soft, almost coaxing. There were several feet between us, and yet it felt like he had whispered the words against my neck. He seemed sincere. His tone felt sincere. Should I tell him? I could keep on with the rouse and let him think the worst of me. He would continue to treat me suspiciously and, in turn I would guard myself from loving him. Except that’s not what was happening, was it? These past few days have given me a glimpse of a different Gio. The Gio I used to know. Back in Santorini. Back when I thought our little relationship could develop into something more. Before it all burned to ash. Before he said those words. I could keep the rouse, but I was getting tired of acting. And who knows, after all these years, he might not believe me, anyway. So what was I worried about?

“Where should I begin?”

He tapped the bed. “The beginning.”

I felt my heart pounding as I moved to sit next to him. My voice cracked a little as I began my tale. “My parents never got along. She left him when I was young. She was a second wife, and he soon got a third one soon after, so he never really cared about her. My mother didn’t care about him as well, but she loved his money. So we would visit my father here and there whenever the money ran dry, until one day, he refused to see us. He turned us at the gates. I was sixteen when that happened.”

“That must have been hard for you.”

“Not really. That was a high point, to be honest. The worst was yet to come.”

“Oh?” Gio said.

“My mother never held a job in her life. She has always had to rely on her ability to attract men to fund her lifestyle. And her drug habit. The older she got, the harder it was to lure rich men. Whales, she liked to call them. So, she turned to me. Her younger, more nubile daughter.”

Gio grimaced. “Don’t tell me she—”

“Made me sleep with men for money? No, she never went that far.”

“What about that man we met? Terry?”

“Terry was my mom’s sometimes boyfriend. He didn’t have money, but he had connections. He could get into places, hotels, country clubs, and so on. You could say he was something of a pimp, and if it weren’t for my mother, he would have made me sleep with our marks. But she always made sure it never got to that. My job was to lure a guy to my room, put something in his drunk and wait till he passed out. Then either Terry or my mom would take his valuables. A watch or some cash in a wallet. We later improved the con to swiping money from bank accounts. It’s easier than you think. Most people willingly give their pass codes without a second thought. And when they find out they’ve been conned by a barely legal teen, they’re too embarrassed to call the cops.”

“Jesus Simona.” I don’t think I’ve ever seen Gio as devastated as he looked now. He really looked like he felt sorry for me. It was heartening.

“When I met you that afternoon in Santorini, it wasn’t because you were a mark, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“You don’t have to explain yourself.”

“No please. I’ve lied for too long. It’s time I tell the truth for once.”

Gio gave a perceptible nod.

“I was in Santorini because I was on a break. That part was true. So was the graduation bit. I took online lessons and earned my degree at an open university. I was really proud of my accomplishments. We had also recently netted a big catch, so I had some money to celebrate. Mom and Terry had come along too and looking back, maybe I should have gone on my own. Anyway, that’s when you met me. It wasn’t a because I hatched a plan to reel you in. I was genuinely interested in you and it was the first time I’ve ever been with a person without trying to calculate how much money they’re worth and so on. But then…” Those few days Gio and I had together were so good. He made me feel like I was worth more than my looks. He desired me. Yes, that was obvious. But he also liked to pick my brain. Listen to me. Get to know me. It was refreshing.

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