That said, I’ve been around the two of them quite a bit. For whatever reason, Marco likes to invite me along on their dates. Personally, I think he likes the fact that it makes me feel like a third wheel, and he’s just showing off to me, because that’s what Marco does. There’s been a one-upmanship between us for as long he’s been in my life, among other things that makes our relationship complicated.
“What about Ruby?” I ask as I stop at a light, throngs of tourists crossing the road.
“She needs a job.”
I laugh. “Yeah. And?”
“You need a personal assistant.”
“I do not,” I tell him. He can’t be serious. “You’re my personal assistant, if anything.”
“I’m your agent. And your brother. But I am not your assistant. You need someone to help you get back on your feet. Hate to say it, Luciano, but you’re kind of a mess.”
He’s right, but even so it stings to hear him say it. My pride bristles.
“I’m fine. I just got back from physio. Even he thinks I’ll be back in no time. I feel better than I have in a long time.”
“I don’t mean you need help because you’re an invalid,” he says.
The light goes green and I almost gun the car too hard. I take in a deep breath. “I’m fine,” I repeat. “I do not need any help, and not from her.”
“What’s wrong with her?”
I skirt the issue. “Why are you trying to get her a job?”
He sighs. “I don’t think she has a lot of money.”
“Well, who comes to Europe indefinitely without a lot of money?”
“Young people.”
“You’re only a few years older than her.”
“Young people who want to travel and escape their lives,” he says. “But she belongs here, I know she does. And she’s running out of money, I know that too.”
“Then pay for her.”
“I do but…”
“She’s stubborn.” That much I gathered. I’ve watched many times as Marco tried to pay for her and she’s brushed the offer away. She’s got her pride, as much as I have mine.
“Yes. She’s stubborn.”
“She’s also bright and has a degree, I am sure she’ll get a job here as a waitress or whatever in no time.”
“She doesn’t speak any Portuguese and she doesn’t have a working visa.”
“Then hire her yourself. I’m sure you need the help.”
“I don’t,” he snaps, his turn to be defensive. It can be pretty touchy having your brother as your agent. “And I can’t. That will complicate things from an ethical standpoint.”
I burst out laughing. “Ethical? Since when was Marco Ribeiro ever ethical?”
Silence over the line. He sighs. “Right. I forget that my older brother is so fucking perfect.”
Whoa. Sore spot. “Hey, hey,” I tell him. “You’re an agent after all, don’t forget that. You can’t do your job and have morals, most of the time. Look, isn’t Ruby supposed to be going with you to Paris? Why don’t we discuss this when you get back.”
“She’s not coming.”
“What? Why not?”
“This is a boys trip, Luciano,” he says. “We’ll probably head down to Monaco after. She…wouldn’t fit in.”
Now I see.
“And,” he continues, “she’s standing outside your apartment right now.”
“What?!” I exclaim. My eyes dart ahead to my building and, sure enough, I think I can see the top of her dark hair outside the Versace store.
“Just talk to her, I’m sure you’ll find her something to do. Look, I gotta go Luciano, we’re boarding.”
And then he just hangs up on me and I’m trying not to drive the car into a tree.
Well, shit.
I take the car around the back of the building into the underground parking, then get out and go through the lobby, opening the door to the front entrance.
Ruby is standing there, talking to a homeless guy and handing him a pack of cigarettes.
“Ruby?” I ask.
She glances at me over her shoulder and shoots me a smile that makes me feel tight inside. “Oh hi,” she says. Then she looks back to the homeless man and gives him a wave. He walks off smiling, ripping open the cigarette package.
“What, uh, who was that?” I ask her, eying the man as he walks away.
“Oh I have no idea,” she says brightly.
I fold my arms across my chest. “And since when do you smoke?”
Briefly, her gaze drops to my arms and chest and I feel a strange twinge of pride. She shrugs. “Whenever I feel like it. I had decided maybe I’d take up smoking for a bit but then this guy asked me for a cigarette, so I gave him the whole package.”
I blink at her. Who just takes up smoking on a whim?
“Anyway, I decided that perhaps this was a sign from God that I shouldn’t smoke, so, whatever. I’ll find another vice. I always do.” She gives me a quick, borderline flirty smile.
I swallow, clear my throat.
“So, Marco said you wanted to speak to me,” I say. I want to hear her say it, not put ideas into her head.
“Well actually,” Ruby says, “your brother said you need a personal assistant and thought I would be great for the job.”
“Oh did he?” I sigh internally. How to handle this one. “And is that something you’re interested in?”
“Be around you all day and get paid for it? Of course.” Another wide smile that does something strange to my chest, making it hard to breathe. This is going to be an awful idea, isn’t it? Is this Marco’s plan? Does he know that I’m attracted to his girlfriend and wanted to make my life a living hell for a while?
Because, yeah, it’s no secret that Ruby has an effect on me. It’s nothing major, just that she’s ridiculously beautiful and sexy and intriguing. Anyone with eyes is attracted to her. I’m able to deal
