The Virgin and Her Bodyguard

Chapter 3

Chapter Three

LUCA

I rritation nags at the back of my neck as Nolia walks away from me. She’s headed to her father’s small cottage on the edge of the estate, but I can’t go with her. Now that the plan has begun, I can’t give away our connection. If someone finds me with her, they could get suspicious. I’ve already got a target on my back because I work for Vitaly. Well, I guess technically I used to work for him.

“Come in,” Marco calls from the other side of the door, and the guard opens it for me.

When I walk inside, I stop in front of his desk and hold my arms out wide. It’s an invitation to search me and take my weapon. It’s also a sign of respect. I’m telling Marco he’s in charge, and I’m willing to bend the knee to prove it.

“Welcome to the Benecci Estate,” Marco says and then nods for one of the guys in his office to search me.

The guy does a cursory pat-down and then removes my gun from my waistband and places it on Marco’s desk in front of me. I’m under no illusion that everyone in this room would likely shoot me before I could put my hands on it, so I try not to look at it longingly.

“Thank you for seeing me,” I tell him as he comes around to the front of his desk and stands before me.

“I’m curious why Vitaly’s right hand would show his face after what happened at dinner.” He looks me up and down like I’m dirt. “My guard tells me you don’t agree with his methods?”

“I think he overstepped.” I’m careful with my words because if I say too much too soon, Marco will be suspicious. He already suspects I’m here under false pretenses, so I can’t oversell it. “I didn’t appreciate the lack of respect shown in front of the other bosses.”

Marco is quiet for a second before he cocks his head to the side. “On that we agree.” He crosses his arms over his chest and makes a show of looking around the room. “Why is it you’ve graced us with your presence?”

“I’m hoping we can speak privately,” I say and then glance around the same way he did.

“Anything you have to say you can say in front of my men.” He says this, but I know he’s all talk. He’s the one keeping secrets from them. I know he’s been dying to take over for Renzo Benecci, and now he’s got the excuse.

“I would greatly appreciate your discretion,” I say quietly but keep my eyes on him. When he nods and waves for me to continue, I do. “There have been some movements happening among Vitaly Parlov’s home. I’m wondering if there’s a place for me elsewhere.”

He’s almost able to mask his surprise, but I can read people, and I see the flicker of excitement in his eyes. Getting me to come to his side would be a jewel in his crown. The message that would send to all of the houses would create ripples of success for him.

Marco knows that if the Beneccis acquired my allegiance, it would put Vitaly and his claim in jeopardy. If Marco played his cards right, he could potentially be named to take over for Vitaly were this to overthrow him.

I watch him closely, and I can see all of this flowing through his mind in rapid-fire. The question is, what will he do with this information?

“I’ll obviously need to speak with Renzo,” he hedges. “But I know you’re a good man. A loyal man.”

I nod in agreement. “I’m happy to give my loyalty to someone more deserving.”

“Why don’t you stay with us for a few days. It would give us time to talk and see if we can come to an agreement.”

“I would appreciate the opportunity to prove my value,” I say carefully. “But just so you hear it from me, I’m also considering Loizia House.” I don’t want to jump too quickly or have Marco think that I’m too eager.

“Ahh, understandable,” Marco says casually.

Marco and Loizia have bad blood, and the last thing he wants is to lose a power play to that fucker. But I made sure Vitaly spread whispers in Loizia’s direction in case Marco decides to check this out.

“I’m here first out of respect to Benecci House, and I appreciate you seeing me,” I say.

“Of course.” He nods to one of the guards at the door. “Show Mr. Cordova to a guest suite.”

I follow the guard out of the office, and he leads me to the other side of the estate. After being with Vitaly in the penthouse for several years, I’m not used to a home being so spread out. We take an outside covered path to a building separate from the main house. No doubt this one is surrounded by cameras so he can watch every moment of his guests.

If Marco is smart, he’ll be suspicious of me, and that means there’s probably some kind of listening device in my room too. Vitaly and I knew this would be a possibility, so we won’t have any contact until the mission is over and I’ve got Nolia and her father over that wall.

“I have a bag in my car,” I tell the guard.

“I’ll have it brought to you.” He holds out his hands for my keys, and I toss them in his direction. No doubt they’ll have my car searched as well as a tracking device put on it.

Once he’s gone, I look out the window across the acres of the estate. In the distance is a little stone cottage, and I see smoke coming out of the chimney. That’s her father’s house and where Nolia is sleeping tonight. I can’t go to her right now, so it feels like she’s on the other side of the earth.

My chest aches, and I rub at the spot. Why does it keep hurting every time we’re apart?