Fratelli: The Awakening (The Vampire Cartel #1)

18. Prince Charming

Chapter 18

Prince Charming

H ouse of Draca - New Orleans, LA

April 14, 2018

(8 Days Before Death)

“ Grazie! ” she said.

“Ah! Italiano?” The Don winked.

“Well, you speak French, Sicilian, and Italian to me. I thought I’d show you I can keep up.”

“You showed me that last night,” he retorted.

To avoid grinning, Dolly looked away. Charmaine said she could be childish. Her memory lapses, her inability to keep employment, her thick-rimmed glasses she kept pushing up on her face, or the times she would stumble around when she chose not to wear them. Sonya said she was goofy. She wondered what her two closest friends would think of Lucio and the way he adored her with his words.

“What career path do you desire? What are you pursuing now that you quit your job?” Lucio asked.

She stopped with the fork midway to her mouth. Her eyes nearly popped from their sockets. It was such a simple question, yet so revealing to her. What did she not want to do? That is what he should have asked.

The chef returned to the table. He brought some fresh fruit to cleanse their palate from all the greasy meats they’d just consumed. The chef avoided her eyes. He worked fast to collect their plates, and then he was gone.

“Dolly? What do you wish to do?” Lucio pressed her.

“Well, I’m a talented artist. I mean, I like to do experimental work, make art out of things, and interpret art in different ways. Ahem, I like to work with people. Help people. That’s why I excelled as a paramedic. And I’m an excellent driver! I started driving at twelve. My Honda is great; I can fix and repair it myself, too.”Dolly stopped there. She decided not to reveal she could sing and wanted to. It would sound like she was looking at him for favors because he was in the music industry.

Lucio laughed. “You’re a mechanic who makes art and helps people on the side.”

Dolly smiled. “I can also do social media!”

“Really? What can you do with social media?” Lucio asked.

“I can make you go viral. I know how to make normal situations go viral,” she said.

“What have you done?” he asked.

Three remarkably beautiful black women, dressed in dark tailored suits, entered through the rose garden and passed the gazebo headed to the back entrance of the house. One pulled a studio case, another led two men with racks of clothing in tow, and the third bore a kit akin to a makeup case. She tried to mask her astonishment, but her curiosity was clear. Over his coffee, Lucio watched her closely, taking notice of her intrigued response.

“Anything you’ve done gone viral?” he asked again.

“Ahh... huh? Oh, my brother. He does a lot of streaming on a site called Twitch, and he’s good. The money is good sometimes, and sometimes it’s not, but two years ago, he streamed a video game and got over a million views because I posted it all over social media. The competition makes it inconsistent and not as profitable for us,” she said.

“That doesn’t sound ordinary to me. That sounds like talent,” he said.

“Are you saying that because you’re an agent?” she asked.

He chuckled.

“Streaming is a lucrative business. “I can work with that,” Lucio stated. “I sponsor several conventions through my entertainment company.”

“Really? Oh my God, it would be his dream to meet his favorites and get traction again on his YouTube account. I mean, yes, I can do the social media job, too. You got those rapper guys, right? The ones from the gas station. My friend said they are called Neutral Ground. I’ve heard some of their songs. I can help. I can promote them,” she grinned.

He smiled.

She imagined he had a trained team with far more experience than her to do the job. She did not feel insulted. Prioritizing the evening’s flirtation and sexual encounters over having this conversation was a mistake; she should have considered talking about a job opportunity over dinner, before sex.

“Okay, what’s up with the fashion crew?” She pointed in the direction the team went. All the staff attempted to glance in her direction.

Lucio looked back. “Oh, they are for you. We’ll need to leave in a few hours.”

“For what?” she asked.

“Your first job interview.” Lucio joked. He got up, went around the table, and kissed her on the neck. He then reached over to the chair next to her and gave her the velvet pouch with her purse and phone. “Call your brother; tell him you’ll see him tomorrow or the next day, or the day after the next.”

“Uh, okay,” she mumbled.

When Lucio departed, Dolly blinked away her astonishment. The reality of him was hard to grasp. Her inner voice warned her against being excited by his clear wealth and power. It was only surface level. During the entire breakfast, she confessed everything he asked. He shared very little of himself with her. Yet excitement bubbled within her each time he looked her way. She noticed that the glam team had returned to the garden. One of the three beautiful women nodded at Lucio as he walked by, and Dolly felt a spark of envy over the way all three of the women appraised him. It was a look Dolly recognized all too well—it mirrored her own when she first met him. The woman then made her way towards Dolly with a smile on her face.

“Hi, I’m Mel. I’m your stylist, and this is your team. We’ll be with you for anything you need today.”

“With me? A glam squad?”she laughed.

Mel was even prettier when she smiled. She had perfect white teeth, flawless brown skin, and deep-set almond-shaped eyes. Her hair was honey blonde, fluffy with a spray of natural curls that hung to her shoulders. It was odd how Lucio kept black women in his presence. The most beautiful ones hung in portraits in Scarlet Hall. What should feel like appreciation seem to have another meaning that Dolly could not grasp. Mel gave her a sly smile. “Yes. We’re your glam squad. We work for you. Shall we get started?”

Dolly shrugged. “I didn’t hire you. I can’t afford you.”

“Let’s look at what we’ve bought before you dismiss the gift. We have little time. I’ll answer any questions you have. Shall we?”said Mel.

“I guess we shall,” Dolly murmured. They took her to a room that had been specially set up for her. She wondered if this room was a fixture in his home for a past lover or for some woman who still occupied his time. Could he arrange it specifically for her?

The staff introduced themselves and handed her a crystal flute filled with a sapphire blue mimosa mixed with prosecco and liqueur. Each promised her a royal treatment customized to her preferences. Yet, the stylist consulted her about her hair, mentioning how Don Lucio preferred it long with extensions, while the makeup artists discussed beauty products, even showcasing their work on celebrities, including her all-time favorite singer, which left her astounded. Only to conclude with a selection more than the Don’s preference.

Then came the twins, two black men with regal features and lean physiques. They took her measurements and picked out dresses and various options, including matching undergarments of the finest material for her trip. They also informed her that they would be doing all the packing and asked for her to give them a list of what she needed. While one presented the selections, the other made several calls to ensure everything was the perfect size.

Dolly accepted the lavish attention, her eyes frequently meeting Mel’s. The woman maintained eye contact, never evading Dolly’s inquisitive gaze. Mel came closer after the pampering session concluded, and it was time for her hair styling.

“Are you okay? Any concerns?” Mel asked.

“Only one. What have I gotten myself into?” Dolly asked.

Mel smiled. “That’s not a question for me. That’s a question you need to answer for yourself.”