Gianluca was a very taciturn middle-aged man who had barely ever spoken a word to me, save for the times when it was absolutely necessary. Despite my growing loneliness, I didn't mind his distance. After all, he had been one of Alessandro's soldiers. There was nothing we could talk about. Even if I had shared the disturbing details of my marriage with his boss, he wouldn't lift a finger to help. Loyalty was the most prized quality Alessandro valued in his men, and Gianluca would be loyal to the bitter end.
Besides, I could tell Gianluca didn't like the job. Although he took the task of protecting me very seriously, I didn't blame him for not enjoying my company. For a made man who spent every day with the bosses wife at the mall while the rest of them plundered and killed, he carried himself with an imposing amount of toughness and style. I knew he missed the thrill. But there was nothing I could do about it. Alessandro would never let me leave the house without security. The fact there was never any sign of danger didn't matter. I had to be watched every single second I spent outside of the house. The lack of freedom and privacy filled me with resentment, until I discovered Alessandro's caprice wasn't the only reason behind the need for Gianluca's protection.
It happened on a beautiful summer afternoon when hardly any people roamed about in the shopping mall. I was in one of the shoe stores, looking at different types of sandals without the intention of trying them on. Gianluca observed me from a safe distance. I was grateful he was considerate enough to give me my own space and not breathe behind my neck at all times. It was quiet. Other than the two women at the other end of the store and a couple that had just entered, there was no one else.
Suddenly, loud chuckling disrupted the silence. I glanced over my shoulder. The man and the woman now stood a few feet away. The man was tall and muscled. He had greasy brown hair and wore a leather jacket. The woman was a short redhead. She wore platform sandals, and her head reached the man's chest. They made an unusual couple. I couldn't put my finger on it, but something seemed off about them. I cast a glance at Gianluca. He watched them as well. He didn't look away even when they kissed in the middle of the store. Neither did I. The man's eyes caught mine as he devoured the woman's mouth. I diverted my gaze in instant embarrassment, and focused on dozens of shoes in front of me.
In a matter of moments, steps thumped my way. That woman stood a few feet away from me. Perhaps we shared a common interest in shoes, but she didn’t pay any attention to the shelves. Instead, she ogled me with unusual vigilance, and I grew irritated. “Excuse me,” I said, and turned toward her. “Is something wrong?”
She exchanged a quick glance with the man who stood in the middle of the store, not far away from Gianluca.
“No.” The woman smiled. “You just looked familiar.”
There were a handful of people in my acquaintance, and I was certain I'd never seen this woman before. “I'm sorry. I don't think we've met,” I said in a courteous manner.
She snickered. “No, I suppose we haven't.”
“Olivia...” Gianluca called me in a reprimanding tone as if ordering me to move that very instant.
He was overly protective and suspicious of every single person—including children, but I didn't mind his interference on that particular occasion. For some reason, that woman gave me the creeps and I couldn't wait to be away from her. I left the store in a rush, following Gianluca's quick pace.
“I think we should head home,” Gianluca bit out the moment we were in the hallway.
A suffocating pressure fell on my chest at the thought of going back to the mansion, and I couldn't breathe. “Just one more store,” I pleaded.
Gianluca expelled a long breath. He wasn't happy, but relented. “Fine, but make it quick.”
I thanked him, and headed to my favorite store—the bookstore. I studied the blurb of a popular thriller book when I noticed that same woman from the corner of my eye. She picked out a book from the shelf next to mine. One time could be a coincidence, but this called for suspicion. Once again, she blatantly stared. Once