Pete is the leader of their little group. I can tell his lifestyle is very different from Kelley’s and Bonnie’s. He’s the instigator. I’ve heard him encouraging Bonnie to “let go”. One time I heard him explain alcohol was invented for dealing with stress. I didn’t like it.
I know it’s my fault Bonnie is feeling like this. How I handled her, and the days following, was unprofessional. And I probably made the situation far more stressful than it needed to be. I still blame Lorenzo for that, though.
Being back here in my sanctuary has allowed me to process my behaviour. I let my anger towards Lorenzo cloud my actions. I behaved how other families would have, and that’s not okay. But it doesn’t matter now; Bonnie and her friends will only ever see me as a ruthless criminal, which I probably deserve. If only Bonnie understood how complicated the situation is.
There I go again! It makes no sense that I evenwantBonnie to understand. We’ve interacted a handful of times and they’ve all been terrible. Yet no matter how much I scold and remind myself of the similarities between Petra and Bonnie, I can’t help but gravitate toward her, even if it is just a quick glance out the window to see what she’s doing.
The day I took Bonnie Moorside irrevocably changed my life, and I don’t know why! It’s like my universe shifted the second we clashed. I just can’t get back into my usual flow. All the voices in my head that were becoming despondent to the monotony of fighting for power, have only got louder. I can’t tuck them away as easily anymore. The only light in my day is working in the vineyard.
I’ve taken to wandering the fields when the office becomes too stifling. Rosa has taken over the majority of managing the staff and security, allowing me a modicum of space to breathe.
I keep thinking everything will be fine when Bonnie and her family leave. At least I won’t have to listen to any more pop music. But will it? Can I get the motivation back to keep dealing with family politics? Do I want to? I feel like I don’t know myself anymore.
Until I met Bonnie, I revelled in the power I’d earned. I was able to push the unsavoury things I’d had to do to get where I am, to the back of my mind. But in such a short amount of time, the ruthless Allegra that set off to pick up some random woman on Lorenzo’s behalf, is slowly slipping away, being replaced by someone I don’t know.
It’s almost nine in the evening now and the sun is starting to set. I’ll never get used to the breathtaking views over the sea. The sun casts vibrant oranges and pinks across the sky. It’s stunning.
I’ve been walking for a good half an hour, so I’m way out of the villa’s secure perimeter. I’m not worried, though. I have my pistol, and even Giani Arello isn’t stupid enough to come for me personally. Not because he’s worried about what Lorenzo will do, but because he knows I will fuck up anyone who attempts to hurt me, and then Iwouldbe out for blood. The only reason I’m not now, is because Giani’s attempts at hurting the family have been weak so far. Nothing he’s done has warranted me to go into full Donna Malgeri mode.
A rustling two rows away has me on guard. It’s probably a critter, but I’m naturally suspicious and guarded, so I reach for my gun. What I find both amuses me and infuriates me. Lying tangled in the grapes is a very inebriated Bonnie.
I’ve not seen her this afternoon, and now I know why. Rosa is going to get the full force of my anger when we get back. Bonnie will get it when she’s sober, which by the state of her, will be tomorrow afternoon at some point.
“Bonnie? What are you doing out here?” My voice is sharp and makes her jump. Her eyes are bleary and red-rimmed. She’s totally wasted.
“Look whotiz! Misssss Mafia Queen herself: Allegra-I’ll-Shoot-Ya-Best-Friend-Ferrante.”
I don’t bother correcting her. I’ve been called worse. Never Mafia Queen, though. And I am a Ferrante in every way but blood.
“Bonnie, you’re too far away from the villa.”
“Pfft. I wanted a walk, so sue me. Or kidnap me and shoot me. I don’t care. You won’t get me, queeny. I know what your game is.”
I’m totally lost. She’s rambling, and I don’t have time to decipher what the fucking hell she’s talking about.
“Get up,” I bark.
“No! You’re not the boss of me. I won’t marry you!”
Um…
“And you can stop looking at me with your eyes. They won’t work either! Do you hear me, Sexy Allegra? Nothing will work. I won’t be your sex slave!”
I’m definitely missing some context here.
“Just get up,” I say, hooking my hands under her armpits. She’s dead weight.
“No. I want to look at the sea. It’s so pretty.”
She’s a stubborn toddler, I swear it!
“Basta!” I growl, but she doesn’t stop. She sinks lower to the ground, making it impossible to pick her up. “Bonnie, get up!”
She sticks her tongue out. “No! I’m watching the pretty colours.”
Dropping her arms, I stand and stretch my back. What the hell am I going to do? Looking around, I can’t see any of our security, which isn’t surprising considering how far out we are.
“Fine. If we watch the sunset, will you stand up after and let me take you back to the villa?”
