One. Two. One.
Immediately, I look at my Pakhan, because Vanessa can’t possibly agree with this, but she tilts her head. “You mentioned having remote access to your servers through your laptop and being able to get to them anywhere. Take whatever you’ll need to continue helping Dimitri. If you agree, Serafina and supporting Dimitri’s efforts will be your entire job. Until further notice, your work on the ground would be covered by Ana and me.”
Everything inside me is about to deny them until Zeno speaks again, this time activating an emotion I feel so infrequently—if ever.
Guilt.
Guilt means considering my actions, analyzing them to determine what’s right and wrong, but that also means having an insight and understanding them.
Which I don’t.
This time, the strange feeling hits me like a damn brick, and my taps slow to the point that numerous seconds pass before my finger lands on my jeans again.
“Even though she doesn’t want anyone, she specifically asked for you because she trusts you’ll protect her. I attempted to talk her down, of course, and explained having to assign one of my own soldiers, but she’s determined it be you, so I figured I’d at least ask. The fact she’s entertainingsomeoneis a win.”
If she doesn’t want anyone there, even me, then she won’t interact with me. It’ll be like being alone…around a lot of other people. I’m simply the best of the worst in her perspective. It’d make everything simpler.
Anastasia nudges me when I’ve gone silent, my mind and mouth scrambling to reply.
“You talk of trust, but you both barely know me.”
Zeno glances at Vanessa. “That might be true, but sometimes, it takes only one act to build trust. If you do this, I’ll be indebted to you twice.”
“What would this consist of exactly?” I find myself asking,entertainingthis insanity.
“If we’re lucky, not much. You could be in and out within the month. She assumes you’re protecting her from danger; let her think that. What I actually need is someone to be around when she meets up with her boyfriend. If he really is Alessio, then the Vitales broke a few rules; the agreement isn’t the official engagement, so there’s still a process to follow. She remains a Mancini; thus, as head of her family, it needs to be formalized with me. Until then, they can’t claim her. If Alessio’s sneaking around with her, it might be enough for either a confrontation or to take it to the Commission and null the agreement. I need a picture—proof of their actions.
“She has a dorm already, a two-bedroom, so you’ll be nearby at all hours. You’ll attend her classes, but it’s already been cleared with the school that you’re not going as a student. Besides that, let her do whatever she wants. I want her to experience university as she should while getting the proof Vitales are going behind my back.”
Stalk her until her boyfriend comes around. Seems easy enough.
Seemsbeing the key word. It’ll mean a whole new environment. A new room, a new bed, new sleeping arrangements, a new workspace. Sharing a small area—because I doubt university dorms are large by any means—is everything I hate. Everything I should say no to.
The Serafina I met and the Serafina on her social media aren’t the same. The girl in my room was traumatized and emotional from her shitty experience. No doubt, the one attending school will be the one from her photos. She won’t be quiet or shy. She’ll be the very opposite of me.
My fingers pick up their taps again, a motion Anastasia notices, a twitch I can’t stop as three people stare me down, waiting for an answer that feels like my head will explode to give.
People. Shouting. Cheering. Sports. Classes. Parties. Drugs. Drinking. Pictures. People.
So. Many. People.
One. Two. One.
Images flit through my mind—what life at a post-secondary school would be like, since I never got that opportunity. They flash in a rapid whirlwind of hell. Everything about this will ruin me.
“She specifically asked for you because she trusts you’ll protect her.”
Zeno leans back, the motion tearing me from my horrors. “Sorry to put that on you. I’ll let her know and find someone else.”
“No, I’ll do it.”
Anastasia gapes, understanding what this means for my sanity.
Vanessa’s shoulders lower an inch, like she was clinging to my answer. “I’m appreciative as well. For her.”
For Serafina. Sheaskedfor me. That’s the entire reason I’m doing this.
Zeno smiles wider than I’ve ever seen and stretches a hand for me to shake, which is entirely unnecessary. Handshakes are reserved for greetings, not for people who know one another. He did this the other day too, in the kitchen. It’s extra touching, but to be polite, I play the role and slip my hand into his.
