My job isn't exactly hard, maybe a little taxing with all the running back and forth, but I've worked much worse jobs. I make more in tips a week than I ever made in a month at the gas station I worked at. And the story that I'm Giovanni's mistress doesn't make sense to me even though I know better than to question it.
Nothing about my capture makes sense.
Especially when I think about the look in Giovanni's eyes the night he reminded me that I still had nine months left on my contract. There'd been an intensity in his eyes that told me I'd be doing more than slinging drinks.
And yet... he hasn't made his full intentions clear.
Enzo snaps me from my thoughts, leading me to the car and quickly pushing me inside. He pulls off, taking a different route home than the night before and the one before that. A routine or pattern would leave us vulnerable, he told me one night.
When I asked if being out in the open, working at Delirium, would leave me just as vulnerable, he squinted his eyes at me and made it clear that there was a difference between being scared and being vulnerable. I hadn't asked another question.
We pull into the compound, and I unfold my body from my seat, heading up the stairs before Enzo. I can't wait to let the hot water run over my skin and loosen up my muscles. The front door swings open before I can touch it and I find Giovanni staring me down. His lips are pressed into a hard line and his eyes only stray to my outfit for a moment before looking back up at me.
"My office," he says plainly, before turning around and walking away.
I've been in Giovanni's office a few times, but I don't know the directions off the top of my head and Giovanni has already disappeared.
"This way," Enzo mutters, sliding past me.
I follow him.
The compound is quiet at this time of night, most of the staff already gone home and the guards sticking to the shadows.
The halls are dimly lit, the white walls making them look more spacious. We pass by a few doors and I glance at the door to the basement.
It’s closed.
I hurry into Giovanni’s office.
I pause once I step inside, my eyes stopping on Vito. He's sitting in a chair just off to the side of Giovanni's desk. He's dressed more casually than I've ever seen, in a black t-shirt and dark sweatpants, instead of a suit. His hair is pulled back into a low ponytail and while he's not quite as pale as the other night, he doesn't look one hundred percent either.
He catches my gaze and his lips pull into the slowest smile and my heart skips the tiniest beat.
"Sit," Giovanni says as he takes his place in his own chair. "You too, Enzo," he says, pointing to the two vacant seats across from him.
We comply.
Silence lingers in the air for a few beats as Giovanni watches us. Finally, he leans forward and asks, "How's Winter's training going?" which isn't what I expected. His tone is controlled and normal, not vindictive or hard.
"It's going good." Enzo's voice is a little strained and when I peep at him out of the corner of my eye, I can see the tension in his body.
Giovanni nods before firing off a few more questions at Enzo. The conversation is over just as quickly as it starts.
"Recent events have left us vulnerable and war is on the horizon. We need to start speaking with our allies." He glances over to Vito before looking back at us. "We're going to meet with the Seven Quad Gang tomorrow."
Giovanni's eyes snap to mine.
"And you're coming."