“Where’s Santino? I want to talk to him,” I demand, trying to gain some backbone.
“Right now isn’t the best time.”
“I don’t understand. Is he busy?”
He shrugs, ever so annoyingly indifferent. “I’m not sure, but he’s not here.”
I’m here alone with some guy I don’t know? Shit. “Oh God, you kidnapped me?” I’m searching the room for something I can bust him over the head with. There are a couple of things, but by the size of this guy, I’m betting it’s not going to work.
“No. I didn’t kidnap you. I’m here to watch over you. You can roam around the house and the beachfront, but I’m afraid the ocean is off limits.”
“I’m confused. Are we like on the Jersey Shore somewhere?”
“No. Things are complicated.” He rubs his head. “Just treat this as a getaway. This is a very lovely beach house and the sand looks spectacular. I’ll prepare a meal for you. Then I must leave you to it.”
I stand up, and I’m dressed in the same clothes I went to bed in. Santino sent me away. Maybe I’d become too much trouble.
“You’ll find your closet is full and your necessities can be found in the bathroom.” He leaves me standing in the middle of a large bedroom that’s almost completely white. The four-poster bed has a gauzy white canopy that gives the room a romantic element. A large television is the centerpiece of a wall full of bookshelves. The room is something I would love to have on any other given day, but without Santino, it feels empty.
I exit the room and find that the rest of the house is as equally beautiful with gray accents to match the almost all white décor.
A cool breeze blows across my arm as the patio doors open and the guy in the suit walks back in. “Sorry, I hope I didn’t startle you.”
“No, but I don’t even know your name,” I tell him.
“It’s Joey. Santino said that he’ll call in a couple of days. For now, please enjoy this place. I’m going to walk the perimeter.”
“Why isn’t he here?” I have to know why he’s not with me.
“He has a company to run.”
“Why didn’t he just dump me somewhere?” I’m not only pissed, I’m hurt.
“I don’t know. Just enjoy. Is that really so damn hard?”
“You’re not very nice.” I can see I’m working his nerves. Maybe that’ll get him to bitch to Santino and then he’ll just let me go. Then what am I going to do? It’s not like I have anywhere to go, and I sure as hell never want to be anywhere near Rafael again.
He rubs the bridge of his nose, clearly annoyed. “I’m sorry, but I’m not going to give you the answers you’re looking for so you might as well stop asking.”
“What would be great is my freedom,” I remark as I roam around the main living area. It’s an incredible beach house. Too bad I’m not interested in being trapped here. A prisoner in paradise.
“Take it up with the boss when you talk to him, okay? Until then, I’m going to do my job.”
Flipping him off, I go out to the porch facing the ocean. Leaning up against the railing, I watch the waves crash onto the beach. The water’s fairly clear, so I know we have to be somewhere south of New York. I’ve never traveled, but I’ve seen the travel brochures for getaways.
I decide to take a walk in the sand. As my feet hit the warm, grainy surface, I feel a hint of sadness. I wish I met someone who cared for me. I wish it were Santino, but that’s pointless.
DAY TWO INTO MY NEW damn prison, and I haven’t heard from Santino. I’m starting to think that I’m doomed to be forever locked up. We’re in a very isolated location. The cook is in the kitchen, and I’m not allowed to be in there when he’s working. Still, I sneak inside there.
“Hello.”
“Um...good morning, ma’am.”
“So do you need any help with anything?”
“No, thank you.”
“Giada,” Joey barks at the kitchen door.
“Excuse me. I think I’m in trouble.” I wave him off and follow Joey’s stalking form. “What’s wrong now?”
He grabs my arm and leads me into the little office there. “I told you not to talk to the employees.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m trying to keep you from being discovered. Can’t you just act like your life is in danger?”
“Um...what life? I’m just going through the motions.”
“Ugh. I’m going to need a raise after this.”
“Whatever. I’m going to watch some television. If that’s okay, sir,” I sneer.
“That’s perfectly fine.” He leaves and doesn’t come back for a long time, so I get curious and look for him. He’s on a ladder installing cameras around the perimeter of the beach house. All I have to do is push the ladder from under him and then run, but I don’t know if I have it in me. Besides, it’s not a big fall and he’ll probably catch me before I get far.
I go back to the living room and put on a movie. When he comes back in, he says, “Hey, it’s good of you not to knock me down.”
“No problem.” How did he know I was there?
“Your reflection.”
“Damn it, I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”
“You didn’t. I can read it in your eyes.”
“Well, next time I’ll have to be sneakier.”
“You can try.” And I will.
Chapter Eleven
Santino
It’s been a full two days since I drugged Giada and put her on a plane, sending her away from me. The pain in my chest feels like it’s getting more intense with every hour that passes.
She probably wants to punch me in the dick for this latest abduction, but it was for the best. She wouldn’t go willingly because she doesn’t trust me. I felt it after our fight. Seeing her again is all I can think about, but it’s not safe for her until I
