The Virgin and Her Bodyguard

Chapter 2

Chapter Two

NOLIA

I t takes a lot to get me panicked. That was pretty clear when I went barging into a dinner party filled with some of the most dangerous men in the country. My only thought was to get to my best friend. She called me, and I rushed to her.

I have always been more reactive, and I think it’s because I work better off the cuff. When you’re mixed into this world, living at the fringes of it, I believe that works best. You never know what might happen at any given moment.

I’m quick to come up with a reason for doing something I might be caught in the middle of. This time, however, it’s different. I’ve had way too much time to think things out, and anxiety is trying to eat its way through me.

“Breathe.” Luca's fingers caress the inside of my thigh.

The sensation somehow soothes me. I normally loathe being touched. Men around the Benecci estate are handsy, and it’s given me a distaste for men.

I don’t know this man, but Luca puts me at ease. I’m going to trust him because I’m not the worst at reading people. It’s the reason why I let my best friend run off to Vitaly. I sensed that he would save her and that he wasn’t going to let her be married off to some old psycho. I knew he would end up claiming her for himself. If I didn’t know it for sure, I never would have agreed to her plan.

Vitaly is a feared man. There are so many stories of things he’s done, but while he might be feared, I’ve never heard of him being cruel. At least without reason.

I let myself relax into the seat, trying not to show my fear. I know the two men walking toward us, and they know me. When they are almost to the door of the car, Luca removes his hand from my leg. I have to fight myself to keep from reaching out and pulling it back. But I wouldn't have been quick enough even if I had tried.

In one smooth move, Luca pulls a gun out and presses it to the side of the door as he rolls down the window. The second Bruno sees who is behind the wheel, he pulls out his own gun, aiming it at Luca’s head.

“I have a gun pointed right at your dick, Bruno.” I shouldn’t be surprised Luca knows his name, but it catches me off guard.

Luca must be deep in this world. He knows everyone down to the groundskeepers of the families that he doesn’t even work for. I suppose that’s why he’s Vitaly’s right-hand man. He didn’t get into such a high position without a reason. The heads of families are born into it. They are placed there by birthright. The rest of the positions have to be fought for.

“The flower cunt? That’s who you thought you could bring here and make some kind of deal with?” Bruno spits out in disgust. As if he hasn’t grabbed my ass more than once.

I swear I see a vein in Luca’s throat pulse. Is he scared or pissed that I was just called a cunt? I honestly can’t see it being either. In this world, men talk about women in the worst ways, and I can’t see Luca being scared of anything.

“She showed up at the restaurant trying to see Pru.” I swallow hard at Luca’s response.

I know this is the story, but that doesn't mean I'm not worried it's not going to work. I have to trust him. There’s no other choice if I want to make it out of this along with my father.

“And you’re so kind as to bring her back to us?” Bruno lets out a humorless laugh.

“I just wanted to see her,” I blurt out. I should have taken theater in high school, but I wasn’t really the type. I was more of a tomboy. I've always been on the curvy side, but I loved being outside and playing in the dirt. “I was worried about her,” I add. I’m trying to sell it, but it’s also true.

Bruno gives me a nod, presumably aware that Pru and I often spent time in the garden together. Pru never got to leave the gates. Thankfully, they have yet to figure out that I was the one who snuck Pru out.

The first day after she was gone, I worked on pins and needles. I kept waiting for someone to come find me and drag me to the dreaded basement by my hair for my torture session. In the afternoon, I asked a few of the men where Pru was and if she was sick. They of course told me to mind my own fucking business and get back to work. I’d hoped it would deter them from thinking I was the one helping her make her escape.

“I’m here to have a chat with Benecci,” Luca says.

“That so?” Bruno shakes his head.

I shrug as though I have no idea what's going on and pretend to be the stupid lost girl. “He made me come with him,” I sniffle before wrapping my arms around myself.

“Benecci isn’t up for visitors, but I’m sure you’re aware of that,” Bruno responds to Luca, ignoring me altogether. I’m not exactly hating it either.

“It was disgusting,” Luca spits out, and his anger makes me tense up. “What Vitaly did.” He shakes his head. “Stealing someone else’s bride? He lost his control over some pussy he could have gotten anywhere.” A chill runs through me at his words. “To fuck up tradition and have no respect. Without respect, this is all bullshit.”

"We agree on that," Bruno says.

“Is Marco here?” Luca asks.

That man’s name alone makes my stomach turn. He’s Benecci’s right-hand man, and I avoid him at all costs. His mind is twisted and darker than I imagine the depths of hell to be.

"All right, Luca,” Bruno says, smiling. “Come on in.”

“What do I do with this?” Luca doesn’t bother to even glance my way. He simply nods toward me, as if I don't deserve his time.

Luca has been gentle with me up until now, but this version of him is so different. Which side of him is the real one?

Technically the plan is to use me, and I need to remember that. I suppose I’m using them too, but I got lost in a moment with Luca. I guess he was merely trying to build me up so I could play the part.

“She knows where to go,” Bruno says.

Although I’m not sure I know anything right now.