Page 12 of Tall, Dark, and Grumpy
Amore mio dolce
Yeeaaahhhsssss ish
“Work?” Sev’s voice comes from behind me, and I jolt. “But you message her on a Friday night, name her ‘amore mio dolce’ in your phone, and address her as Miss Meadows. Your sweet love. What is she? Your dungeon mistress?”
“Something like that,” I mutter, and Sev barks out a laugh. “And get her name out of your mouth, stronzo.”
Unease is snaking through my veins. This doesn’t feel like the cautious, shy Miss Meadows I’m familiar with. Something has lowered her inhibitions dangerously.
Vito
Are you drunk?
Amore mio dolce
It’s a FRIDAY. I’m trying to live a little.
Having shots. Why not?
My blood turns to ice. Who is there with her? I know she isn’t close to her family since she let slip that she only phones her mother once a week. She mentioned a house share, and her nose wrinkled as she did. Does she have someone to take care of her while she’s drunk?
Fuck. That someone is me. It must be me, because no one else will take care of her as well as I will.
Vito
Where are you?
Amore mio dolce
Sorry, this was a mistake. Worst evening ever.
Vito
Where are you?
Desperation pounds in my head.
I don’t even know whether she’s in my territory. What if she’s in Essex or someplace?
“Vito, don’t worry,” Sev says soothingly, still looking over my shoulder. “I’ve got software you can put on her phone so you can keep track of her. It’s reliable. And I can probably find her current position if you give me her phone number.”
“What? No.” I’m distracted, attention split between what my crazy brother is saying and waiting as the notification dots bounce. What is my brother saying? “That’s stalking… No.”
“Nothing wrong with keeping an eye on people,” Sev mutters.
Amore mio dolce
To go with the worst boss, ever.
I’m hit from all sides by fucking terrible thoughts and realisations. My heart is pounding and there’s a tightness in my chest. No, a pain. My hand shakes as I put the phone down, so Sev can’t see anything else she says.
Is this some joke? She thinks I’m a bad boss? I don’t understand. I’ve tried to take care of her. A huge salary, proper food so she’s healthy, ensuring she doesn’t slouch and damage her back, the prestigious office right next to mine. Alright, there’s some self interest in that I want her close to me.
My brother is saying whatever the fuck he says in that goddamn drawl that’s exactly like mine except without an Italian accent. I can’t hear him over the ringing in my ears.
Worst boss ever?
Whatever she thinks, there is one person I’m not listening to. “Shut up, Sev.”