Page 78 of The Bonventi Hitman

I turn to see an older woman standing in the entry with a gentle face and a large grin.

Lydia steps forward, her welcoming smile never wavering.

"Lydia, this is Sofia. Sofia, this is Lydia," Gabriel says as he introduces us.

"Sofia, it's a pleasure to meet you," Lydia says with a soft voice that carries the hint of an accent I can't quite place. She extends her hand, and as I take it, I feel a sense of comfort in her gentle grip.

"Very nice to meet you as well," I reply with a smile.

Gabriel moves away from us, his attention drawn to something on his phone. I watch him for a moment, his eyes focused in concentration, before Lydia gently clears her throat and draws my gaze back to her. She gestures toward the stove where several pots are simmering away.

"Now, it won't be ready for a bit, but if you're hungry now, I can make you something?" she asks and walks around the island.

I was a little hungry, but I think the sudden move from the hotel to here, Luca's actions last night, and now being free of him for some unknown reason were keeping me too on edge. Oh yeah, and the small weapon hiding in my purse.

"No, not right now, thank you. But that does smell good."

I look back over at Gabriel, who catches me looking and pockets his phone.

"Lydia," he says, "please make sure Sofia's needs are taken care of. Show her around, make her feel at home. If she needs anything, act as if it was coming from me," his voice is firm, leaving no room for argument.

"Of course, sir," Lydia responds with a smile. "You sure I can't fix you something to eat, dear?" she asks again in a warm tone as she drapes a cloth over her shoulder.

I shake my head, a small smile playing on my lips. "Maybe later, Lydia. I'm fine, really, thank you."

Gabriel steps closer to me, his presence filling the space around me. His fingers brush lightly against my jawline, and his eyes search mine with an intensity that could burn everything in its path. "Let me show you to our room, Bella."

I find myself lost in his gaze, my heart pounding in my chest. "Okay," I breathe out.

He leans in, the warmth of his breath tickling my ear as he murmurs, "Follow me."

I follow him up the winding staircase, and at the top is a mahogany bookcase, full of all types of books. I scan some of the spines, ever trying to be observant, and see Shakespeare, Dickens, and Homer.

"Have you read all these?" I ask, breaking the silence since leaving the kitchen.

He stops to turn and look at me. "Yep, all of them."

"Wow, and what is your favorite book?" I ask as we continue walking down a long hallway.

"Paradise Lost," he says without hesitation.

I press him further, my curiosity running wild. "And why is that?"

He pauses, turning to face me. "Because, Bella, Milton manages to make the reader sympathetic to the devil. And I find that... intriguing."

In that moment, I'm reminded how consumed I am by his dark allure, unable to resist the dangerous temptation that this enigmatic, powerful man possesses. Maybe he's my Milton.

"Just ahead," he says and turns to continue walking.

We arrive at two double doors that he pushes open. I step into a very large room. There's a desk, couch, chairs, and a fireplace.

"You have a living room in your bedroom?" I say and laugh.

He smiles and says nothing.

I observe the floor-to-ceiling windows, slightly open, the breeze making the white curtains dance ever so gracefully. I walk over and peek my head into his bathroom.

Unbelievable.