"Shame on you, Aurelius Moore.You should have told your VP!"I shake my head."What do you mean she didn't need to know?No wonder she was yelling into the phone and at poor Angelo too.I would have been upset.You blindsided her."
"Oh," he breathed, then shook his head and closed his eyes, knowing he must explain because I wasn't letting it go."Don't put your values on her, Siri.She was mad because they woke her up before daylight."
"Really?"I huffed, "I find that very hard to believe based on the amount of yelling going on."
"Look, the paparazzi blew up her phone, wanting her to identify you before dawn and her anger was because they woke her.She's spoiled and controlling.Sure, she's pissed about not knowing about you, but her rant was about the spin the media was putting on it."
"Then why did you hang up angry?"
He looked at me with a 'you don't really need to know' look.But I persisted with my arms crossed and my face set, and he caved."Since you must know, she pissed me off when she called you a…."He looked away, avoiding saying the word."I told her to listen very carefully to me.You were my girl, and I would flaunt your hot ass wherever the hell I pleased, to hell with the press, and to hell with her if she didn't like it because that's the way it is from now on.Then I hung up on her."
"Poor Mia.She thinks I'm a whore she will have to deal with.No wonder she's pissed."
"Siri.Don't feel sorry for Mia.She is a shrewd businesswoman but also a selfish bitch."
"Still.I understand her being upset.The label 'whore' negatively affects everything."
His eyes flashed at me, and the thunder rumbled behind them."You and I know it isn't true.If we acknowledge their false assumption, we give it power.And if we give it power, then it might as well be true.Perception is power.Don't say it again.You're not.Own the truth!Do you understand?To me and the world, you are my beautiful Lady.Mio Bella Signorina."
I stood stunned by what he said.The force of his commanding nature was on full display, demanding we assert the truth.
What a MAN!WHAT A REAL MAN!
Finally, I smirked."Wow!That was profound.OK, I will own the truth, but you must know they will still think it of me and whisper it about me.In their eyes, I will always be a whore.But for you, I will own our truth."
"For us."He corrected me, then relaxed and told me with a softer tone but no less commanding."Now, please, get dressed, Siri.I'm only concerned about your safety.Your picture has been plastered all over the internet, and if Ruth's threat is real, you are in danger here."
Without resistance, I obediently slipped into my clothes while he headed for the bathroom to pack the toiletries.When he returned, he said."The rest can be packed properly and sent to the Compound.Come on.Let's go.Grab the jacket."
"Compound?"I stopped and stared at him.
He laughed."That's only a nickname Antonio and I gave the family villa.It sounded more mysterious to two young boys, but it is, in essence, a compound.You'll be safe there.We're only leaving a few days earlier than I planned anyway.Not a big deal, Baby.Don't make it one."He kissed my lips with a sweet butterfly kiss before he grabbed the luggage handles, and we left the hotel room.
He adjusted my cap for me in the elevator on the way down."Let's hope we can sneak past the press and get to the parking garage without being ambushed."
When we exited the elevator with our heads down to avoid eye contact, we quickly turned to the rear doors.Outside we were greeted by a couple of security guards.Carlo and Franco had ensured we could leave unnoticed, so we simply walked to the garage where the valet parked the cars and got in a Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster.Black, of course.
When Aurei cranked the car, he turned to look at me, and whatever was on his lips vanished when he saw my twinkling eyes."What's up?"He asked suspiciously.
"This car is dope!"
"Yes, it is, but that look is more than 'nice car.'I know that look by now.Spill it."
I giggled."Good thang, we didn't have to make a run for it."
He frowned and looked at my shoes like something must be wrong with them because I run 'pretty good for a girl.'"Why?"
I pulled my shirt up, lifting my tits so they bounced dramatically for him."I would have given myself a black eye."
"Shit!I forgot your bra."His eyes flashed shock, and I couldn't help the giggle that escaped."Why didn't you say something, Naughty Thang?"
"Because I'm naughty!"
He chuckled as he pulled out of the garage."That's for sure."
I turned to look down the street for traffic."Clear, right."
Driving down the empty streets to the main freeway, I hear."Fuck.I didn't pack a single bra."
