I take the thermos, staring at it skeptically. "What is this?" I ask, twisting the top off. The smell of mint and lemon invade my senses.
"A little toddy that will help with your cold," he says. I continue to stare at it, doubting the contents. "If I wanted you poisoned, I could have done so the first day you came to the compound. I have access to everything you consume," he reminds me.
Again, he doesn't sound irritated, more like he's giving me facts, which I guess he is.
I lift the thermos to my lips, taking a small sip. I'm surprised by the sweet taste but I also don't miss the slight bitterness. "What all is in this?" I ask before taking another sip.
"A little bit of lemon, little bit of mint, a whole lot of tea, and a shot of brandy."
"I could have been sober," I tell him, surprised by the words. Why am I freely conversing with him?
His brows lift slightly and his smile widens, showing off pearly whites. "I suppose you could have been," he says. "But after being here, you'd want to hop off the wagon real quick. Especially after the other night." He slides the last part in real smooth and my smile instantly drops from my face.
His eyes roam over my face closely. I decide I can't tell if he doesn't know what happened the other night, or he knows what happened and wants to see if I'm going to crack.
I snap my lips closed. Vito is one of those people that it's easy to fall into the trap of. He isn't overtly intimidating at all times like the others. And the frequent gentle touches and charming smiles lure you into thinking he’s your friend. He'd done it at the club, defending me from Brutus and touching the small of my back when I'd gotten anxious.
If I'm not careful with him, I'll fall head first into his tricks.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I tell him, turning my gaze away and facing the changing room.
I'll give less away if I'm not looking directly at him.
"I suppose you don't," he says, the words holding suspicion. He lets out a soft hum before the sound of clicking meets my ears and I glance out of the corner of my eye to seed him typing on his phone. The screen illuminated his face and I can't help but to notice the way the color of his eyes look even greener now and less brown.
A ding sounds behind me.
"Enzo go and get those things from the drug store. We should be almost done by the time you get back." Vito puts his phone away and when he looks at me again, I quickly look away.
I don't hear a response from Enzo, only his footsteps. Which are quickly replaced by a pair of heels clicking. "I'm so sorry for the wait," the woman, Fabianna, says when she returns, a pile of clothes in her arm. "We only want the best when it comes to Mr. Costa and his friends," she says, offering us a smile. "Can I get you any refreshments?"
"No," Vito replies. "We're ready to start the process." His words aren't necessarily rude but the impatience in his tone is clear.
"Of course," Fabianna says. "Just this way, dear," she says as she heads toward the dressing room. She steps inside and places a bunch of clothes on a rack. "Step in and we can get started wherever you'd like."
I nod, stepping inside, thankful when she pulls the curtain closed behind me. I stare at the piles of clothes, wondering why I'm even here. Up to this point, all my clothes have been picked out and they've fit to Giovanni's liking as far as I know. I push through the rack of clothes, cringing when I see a sequin dress that can't even come past my knee. I quickly push it to the side. I'm thankful when I finally find a pair of pants. I can't tell what the material is but it's soft yet firm and as I pull it up over my legs, I can't help the sense of confidence that moves through me. I grab one of the button up shirts. It's just as soft as pants, the hunter green top made of silk. The sleeves bunch slightly around my biceps but when I turn to look at the mirror on the side, I can't help but to see in a deep breath.
I look like a boss.
The pants shape and curve my butt in a way that I'm not used to seeing, and yet there's something that screams boss bitch about it.
"Are you ready?" Vito's voice sounds far away but the bass of it makes me jump slightly and I take a deep breath.
"Yea." My voice cracks slightly as I pull the curtain back and Vito's gaze meets mine. His eyes drag down my body, some of the usual blankness gone as he takes my outfit in.
"The stage," he says slowly, before pointing over to where there's a pedestal surrounded by mirrors. I walk over, stepping up on top of it. My skin buzzes as Vito continues to study me, his gaze hot.
"Perfect," he says after a moment, before turning to look at Fabianna. "We'll take that one and anything you have that's similar."
Fabianna grins widely. "Yes, sir."
"Next outfit, Winter," Vito says. His arm is along the back of the couch, his legs spread slightly and as he continues to look at me like I'm a prime time snack, I can't help but to feel hot. I give a nod before quickly shuffling back into the fitting room. I run through all the pants and shirts, letting Vito see and he gives the final approval or rejection. I can't help the disappointment I feel when there's no more pants and shirts and I find myself down to dresses only.
I grab the one that looks like it'll actually cover my ass and tits first. It's the same hunter green as the top, silky and falling down to the floor. A gown, I realize.
What do I need a gown for?
I pull it on, surprised by the way it falls perfectly over my form, melding to every curve in a sexy yet classy way. My back is completely out, the deep cut stopping an inch or so above my butt. The neckline is a thin strap that pulls around my neck, holding the gown up perfectly.