Dirty Revenge (Dirty 3)

“Wow, I wasn’t sure you knew how to get out of bed for breakfast,” Michi says.

I smile softly as I lift the coffee to my lips. I don’t know what Michi does to the coffee but every time is different and mouthwatering.

I take a sip. “Mmmhmm.”

Michi lifts an eyebrow as he holds a spatula in his hand to flip the toast.

“Good?”

I nod. “Delicious as always. Where is this roast from?”

“Hawaii. I thought you deserved a bit of a vacation. And since you can’t go to Hawaii, I thought I would bring a tiny part of Hawaii to you.”

“Thank you. Is that french toast?” I ask with too much excitement in my eyes and voice.

He nods. “Your favorite.”

I bite my lip. French toast was never my favorite. It’s always too sweet. But anything Michi makes has quickly become my favorite.

I glance out at the sunlight covering the deck. I want to eat outside, but I want to talk more with Michi first. I glance around the small house and open my ears as best I can, trying to hear if Caspian is here.

“Caspian is at work; you have the house to yourself,” Michi says.

I stare up at him incredulously. He can read my mind as easily as I can read the word on the side of the coffee cup.

Buona giornata; “have a good day” in Italian.

I warm. I will have a good day, whatever awaits me. It will be good.

“I put a copy of Treasure Island out on the deck for you to read.”

“Thank you.” Michi has gotten me countless books since I’ve been here. They are always amazing. Books about adventure or travel. Never about love or family. He’s careful with the books he chooses for me. He makes sure they are enjoyable, without reminding me of anyone I might miss.

I drink more of my coffee while Michi cooks. I usually eat my breakfast in bed, and then come out and talk to him for lunch. We never talk about anything serious. He takes my mind away from my life, but I’m running out of time if I want to know anything about Caspian.

“What is it like to work for Caspian?” I ask. I rarely even say his name in front of Michi, so it’s weird to say it now.

“He’s a good employer. I’m happy, and he’s more than generous.”

“You live here all the time?”

He nods. “I like the seclusion. I’ve only taken a handful of vacations in the five years I’ve worked for him.”

“Are you allowed to leave?”

He chuckles with his back to me as he flips my french toast. He finally turns back. “Of course I can leave, Gia. I’m not a slave. How do you think I get this tasty coffee and french toast for you?”

I blush. “What can you tell me about Caspian? How did he get into the security world? Does he date? Does he have any family nearby?”

Michi freezes. “I don’t think I should talk about Caspian’s personal life. Any questions you have about Caspian need to go to him.”

I frown, but I was expecting he wouldn’t say much about Caspian Conti. The man will remain a mystery to me, for at least another twenty-four hours.

“Why don’t you take your coffee outside and enjoy the sunshine?” Michi says, dismissing me. I don’t ask him if he also knows today is my last day of ‘freedom,’ but it appears from the sadness in his eyes, he knows.

I take my coffee and walk outside to my favorite chair, but it feels more like I’m walking to the guillotine. Or at least my last meal before death finds me.

I don’t know what tomorrow brings, but I won’t dwell on it. I’ll eat my yummy food. I’ll read my book. I’ll tan in the sun. And I won’t think about tomorrow.