"You dyed your hair."
The observation throws me off guard. I nod.
"Elena told me blondes get better tips."
It certainly works for her but, unfortunately, the color doesn't suit me.
"You have to cheapen yourself for tips?" Damiano's tone is challenging. "Do I not pay you enough?"
"The wages here are excellent, but I need to save money for college."
He tilts his head to one side.
"To study what?"
"Law, business, economics, maybe."
They're the subjects my mother told me I should consider, the ones I can build a career on. None of them enthuses me, but I'm not a teenager anymore and I need to get to work on creating a better future for myself.
"And if you could study what you actually want?" Damiano's perceptiveness is uncanny.
"Theater studies."
I hate how apologetic I sound. Since I was a little girl, I've loved going to see all sorts of shows. My dream was to become a critic. My mother's contempt ruined that.
"Turning blonde won't get you there." He untangles his fingers from my hair. "And nor will betraying me."
The breath whooshes from my lungs as he springs his trap. For a moment I allowed myself to believe I'd got away with my foolish mistake.
Damiano's lips flatten.
"Tell me, Violetta, did you let Gianotti know my cousin's woman was coming here tonight?"
"Gianotti?" That must be the name of the man I released. "I don't know any Gianotti."
"Are you sure, Violetta? Because you're the only person who knew Giulia was coming here tonight."
"The men who brought her here must have known."
Damiano inclines his head.
"But none of them helped him escape, did they?"
I can see how this looks bad for me.
"I felt sorry for him."
Damiano scoffs. "You expect me to believe that's why you let him go?"
"He's just a boy."
Unable to look him in the eye as his expression hardens, I stare down at the floor.
"Kindness is rare in this world, Violetta." He steps closer. "So, tell me, who were you helping, him or yourself?"
"What do you mean?"
"You already told me you needed more money. Is that why you betrayed me, or was there some other reason?"
