Page 5 of A Treasure To Keep
When I reach the third floor, El is putting together the metal clothing racks. She’s bent over far enough that all it would take is a slight breeze, and her dress would come flying up. Enzo notices and widens his eyes, silently asking me why I’m checking out another man’s girlfriend.
Deciding Enzo’s silent question is right, I decide to let my presence known. “Where do you want all this shit?”
El scoffs at me, obviously annoyed at me. To be fair, that’s usually the side of her I get. “The only piece of shit here is you, Marco. These are beautiful pieces picked out by me, myself, and I. Especially since you gave me zero, let me repeat, zero guidance. Help me get all of this stuff hung up before they wrinkle.”
“I don’t think so. I’m going to let Luci know her gift—a.k.a. you—is here, and you can get everything set up. Here you go, big guy, hold this.” El starts to argue when I shove what’s in my hands into Enzo’s arms. I quickly put my finger on the scanner, walking in the door before she can finish her sentence.
Locking Luci in this room is an extra precaution. She’s the granddaughter of the woman Geno, Alessandro’s nonno, was going to marry. Luci’s nonna, Stella, ran off with her now husband, Aldo, the night before the wedding. The other night, Alessandro and I brought Luci here after we picked her up from a bar. And bypicked up, I mean we drugged and kidnapped her. I know, it’s an extreme measure. One we needed to take because we knew she wouldn’t come without a struggle. I knowAlessandro has mentioned her fate, yet I haven’t gotten the chance to introduce myself properly.
Luci turns around, face slightly panicked as she scans around, trying to find something to throw at me. If I didn’t work in security, there’s a fair chance I would have missed it. “You’re not going to be able to find anything to hurt me. You wouldn’t want to hurt me, anyway. If you did, you wouldn’t get the grand prize!”
“Unless that grand prize is a one-way trip out of this fuck fest, I’m not interested.” Things are about to get fun.
“Oooo, we’re cursing now. I admire the fight in you, Luci. Yeah, unfortunately, I can’t let you leave. I’m the one who’s in charge of security, and if Alessandro knew either security or I failed you, I’d get a grade A ass-kicking.”
“I think you’d deserve that ass-kicking. You did drug me and help kidnap me. Or do you not remember that part?” That’s a fair reason to be angry at someone.
I walk over to her, extending my hand to her in an attempt to get on her good-ish side. “I think we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot. I’m Marco, Alessandro’s best friend and the head of security. Today, I’m here to help you out with something fun. At least I’m hoping it’ll be fun for you. Call me your fairy godfather.”
She gives me a loose handshake, trying to process what my motive is behind my kindness. “Several things. One: kidnapping usually gets off on the wrong foot. Two: how am I getting a grand prize if it doesn’t include leaving forever? Three: is that last bit supposed to be a bad joke?”
Clever girl. “All valid things. One, I don’t think you would have come with us if we hadn’t. Two, the grand prize will come in soon and it’ll be something all girls love and a guilty pleasure of mine. Three, that didn’t cross my mind, but it’s funny whenthings turn out that way.” Luci goes to answer when my phone rings, showing a notification from El on the screen.
El:
Let me in and help me with all this stuff, Fuck Face. Enzo won’t scan me in ‘without the boss’s permission.’
“Your prize is ready, Luci. Let me go get it.”
Chapter 4
El
Istep back, surveying the two full racks of clothes, shoes, and accessories. Hmm. Maybe I did go a tad bit overboard. It would have been easier if Marco had given me some guidance on Luci’s style. But, no. That would make my job too easy.
“You know, Marco is in there right now. I don’t understand why you can’t let me in. We all know I’m here on a job, not personal business. Why does the door need a scanner anyway? I know she’s here to pay a debt or whatever, but is it honestly necessary to keep the door locked?” Enzo is one of Alessandro’s security staff and, in all honesty, the biggest man I’ve ever met. Marco is basically a dwarf around him. That’s a lie. I’m a dwarf around Enzo. To be fair, I’m a dwarf around most people. The only thing that’s grown since the sixth grade, a.k.a. my last growth spurt, are my heels and curves.
My brain spins while my internal monologue takes over. Enzo’s deep voice quiets said internal monologue. For the time being, that is. She tends to never shut up.
“Sorry, El, I need to do things by the book, meaning I follow directions without asking questions. As you said, Luci is a debt, making her valuable to the Leone family. Geno hired me as security, and Alessandro assigned me to Luci, meaning they trust me. I shouldn’t take that lightly. Unless Marco or Alessandro opens or tells me to open the door, it stays closed.”
I swear I cannot roll my eyes any harder. “Whatever. I’ll text him.”
Me:
Let me in and help me with all this stuff, Fuck Face. Enzo won’t scan me in ‘without the boss's permission.’
Enzo is sweet and all, but I swear he’s pre-programmed to be a rule follower. Maybe he’s the oldest child in his family. Or maybe a Capricorn, born to follow the rules to the point of perfection. Maybe both?
Soon, Enzo opens up the door, letting Marco out of the mysterious room. “Took long enough. Help me drag this in. And don’t lie to me; I know you can carry this. Your wingspan hasn’t quite caught up to the modern-day man.” I can practically see the smoke from his brain thinking too hard when he blinks, the lightbulb finally going off. Took him long enough.
“Are you calling me a Neanderthal?” Oh my God, this man is going to give me an aneurysm. “I’m sorry to keep Your Highness waiting. Also, why the fuck did you bring this much? No one asked you to.”
Jesus Christ, he’s infuriating. “Are you serious? You gave me no guidance, Marco! If you did, I could have narrowed it down. Now help me, you jackass.” Of course, he only grabs a few bags and calls that ‘helping’ while I’m dragging the two racks of clothes in. When everything is settled, I turn around, noting Luci. She’s a few inches taller than me, but, as Marco said, witha similar curvy frame. I immediately notice how naturally pretty she is with her long, wavy brown hair, hazel eyes, and perfect skin. Seriously though, does she even have pores? The kicker is that crucifix necklace, which gives off ‘innocent Catholic girl’ vibes.
Even though I’m not sexually attracted to women, I can admit that Luci is naturally beautiful. One of those rare people who I doubt will ever want or need Botox or filler. No shame to those who do, of course. I mean shit, I’m fairly certain I’ll be taking the first appointment available when I find a line in my forehead. Pause. Hold on, let’s focus on this appointment before thinking about future beauty appointments. The second I put my internal monologue in check, Marco introduces us.
“Luci, this is Eleanora. She’s the girlfriend of Alessandro and my stylist, and she will be yours. Since you’ll be Alessandro’s wife, you’ll need a new wardrobe. She will also assist you with picking out a wedding dress, accessories, and hair and makeup. I’m here to observe, and to be your audience.” He grabs a chair, spinning it around, and straddles it, resting his tattooed forearms on the back of the chair as he gets comfortable. My mouth salivates when I notice the veins in his arms pop out. Have his arms gotten bigger since I last saw him? Girl, get your shit together and introduce yourself to Luci. You have a job to do that doesn’t involve Marco. Remember?