Page 17 of Isle of Seduction
Later that afternoon, I knock on Giulia’s door. I want her to meet Mike, my campaign manager, and his girlfriend Amber, my PR manager. I poached her from my opponent, Parker Addams, months ago but it wasn’t hard. There’s a story there but I have yet to broach the subject with her. I’d definitely use all the dirt I have on this man to win. Unfortunately, he’s cleaner than a toilet bowl at a hotel.
Unlike the first time I saw her, when she wore sleepless nights and concern on her face, she now looks ready to own the world. The gunpowder grey wrap dress she wears looks like shining silver. It shows off her ample cleavage and moulds around her perfect body like a second skin. No jewellery adorn her neck and all I can think about is draping her in nothing but gold I paid for. I had no idea spending all my money on my woman would be so thrilling.
“Did you dress up for me, guerrieritta?”
She rolls her eyes. “I’ll have you know, I never do anything for men.”
“Don’t I know it,” I mumble. “You look stunning, dear wife. We need to go to my office before going to dinner. Mike and Amber are two key people I’d like you to meet. Nico will accompany us.”
Whether she’s willing or not, I need a partner and she’s a true asset. Having grown up as a mafia princess, she already knows how important reputations are and how gatherings of any kind can mean death if you’re not prepared. In the case of politics, any faux-pas could be the death of my budding career. She obviously would rather be anywhere but with me, but she knows who to charm, and that’s a skill I’m excited to put to use.
The introduction to my very reduced team is short but pleasant. I truly see Giulia at her most comfortable when other people are around. She smiles at them, compliments their work, asks questions. Nothing like the veiled threats when she talks to me. Somehow, that makes it even better. I’m the only one that sees her for who she is.
Even Nico, who never smiles, seems to relax around her. While I watch my wife talking about marketing strategy with Amber and Mike, I ask for his report.
“How did the trip go yesterday?”
“She’s intrigued by the city.”
“How can you tell?”
I turn to him for a second, but he’s also looking at Giulia in between a few looks around. Always watchful and on guard, my brother. I let him be and resume my observation of the most intriguing creature in my life.
“She looked through the window of the car like she wanted to absorb the city’s energy.”
“What else?”
“She loves to fight.”
That makes me smile, because I’ve been the first—and only—recipient of her barbs so far, but if Nico picked up on it, it’s more obvious than her sunshine persona would have us believe. “I know.”
“She ran into Addams.”
“What?” My head snaps to him, our eyes colliding. “Why the fuck didn’t you say anything? And where were you?”
“On the other side of the street, watching the entrance of the shop,” he says matter-of-the-factly. “She was at that lingerie place. You should be happy, I considered her comfort first.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose because he’s right. She wouldn’t have been comfortable if he followed her around while she picked up new panties. My brother has a hard time deviating from his goals, and his goal then was to protect her, but he did. With years of practice, he’s become an expert at picking apart people, observing their every reaction for clues on what they feel.
“Fine, fine. What happened?”
“I think he just introduced himself. I was within hearing distance in two minutes. She dismissed him when he implied I was a threat to her, and then he left.”
That’s my girl.
I don’t like that she met Addams before I can tell her who he is. That man is my political opponent, but I have a bad feeling about him. In this life, you learn to rely on your instincts when they tell you something’s wrong. And to be vigilant when they stay silent.
“If that ever happens again, call me immediately.”
Nico simply nods, and I know I can count on him to protect Giulia.
I take a look at my watch and walk to Giulia, my hand landing at the small of her back on its own accord.
“We’re gonna be late, guerrieritta.”
She clenches her jaw, probably to avoid making a jab at me while we’re supposed to be in love. Mike and Amber both know our marriage isn’t traditional and that our timeline is accelerated because of the campaign, but they don’t know we didn’t meet until four days ago.
When we enter Luigi, the sleek modern decor of the restaurant, made of harsh lines with black and grey metal everywhere, can’t divert my eyes from the real star in the room. I wonder if Giulia chose her dress to match the place. She looks like she belongs here, front and centre stage.