“Hi, Mrs. Bianchi. I’m Angelo. Mr. Bianchi wanted us to meet. I’ll be escorting you around.”
“Right. Come in. Dante is in the shower. He should be out soon.”
“Thank you. It’s good to be able to introduce myself to you. Will you still be taking public transportation? I think Dante mentioned having a car for you.”
“Uh, yeah.” Madison was dazed as her brain tried to process what was happening. The guy she had seen many times on the bus and metro wearing expensive tailored suits worked for Dante. So what had he been doing? She didn’t want to believe it, but had he been having her followed all this time? And what for?
“Dante says you’re one of the best guys he has.”
“Thanks. That’s nice of Mr. Bianchi to say. I’ve been with him for a while. I’m glad he is pleased with my services.”
“Right.” They still stood in the doorway. “Oh, come in sorry, my mind is somewhere else.”
“No problem. I understand.”
“What did you mean you were glad to be able to introduce yourself?”
“Well, Boss had me following you, which was pretty difficult on public transport.”
“Right. And how long has that been going on?” She wanted to see if what she remembered was the same as what he would say.
“Oh, I don’t know the exact date.”
“That’s fine but if you had to guess, was it one week?” She didn’t know the exact date either, but she had an idea of the time frame.
“No, I’ve been tailing you for close to three months for Boss.”
“Right.” Everything crashed down around her.
Dante entered the room. “Angelo, glad you could make it.”
“Yeah, no problem. I was just telling Mrs. Bianchi how long I’ve been tailing her.”
“Oh, shit. Madison, baby it’s not—”
“Not what? Not what it seems? That you’ve been having me followed since our arrangement.”
“Well, that’s true, but it was to make sure you were safe.”
“It wasn’t that you didn’t trust me? That you had it in your head that I was cheating on you still. Like when you had me investigated?”
“Madison, I had to be sure.”
Tears welled up in her eyes. “Right. Are you sure now—”
“Yes.”
“Is Angelo for my protection or so you can keep tabs on me?”
“Madison, baby, it’s not that I don’t trust you. Angelo is here to keep you safe.”
“Right, and you trust him to do that?”
“Yes.”
“Then he can keep me safe in my apartment.” Madison turned and left the room. She wouldn’t cry. Did he even love her or just want to control her? She packed a bag with her things. Dante’s footsteps enter the bedroom.
“Madison—”
