To think I ever wanted this conversation to begin… “He hurt you.”
“Sì.”She glances at her lap, biting her bottom lip. “I don’t really want to talk about this right now. Once was enough. I just want to go to bed.”
“We’re almost there.”
She’s silent, and again, it should be everything I want…but it’s not. She’s hurt. She’s sad. I don’t know what the fuck to do about it other than turn around and hunt her boyfriend—ex-boyfriend?
“What’s his name?” If she’ll admit that much, it’s one step closer to getting Zeno what he requires.
“Does it matter?”
Yes, yes, it does.If I say anything but no, she’ll grow suspicious.
Eventually, we arrive at the dorm. Once we pull into an empty spot, she asks what I’ve been expecting since the start of the trip. “Where’d the car come from?”
“It’s one of Zeno’s. He figured it’d be smart for us to have transportation, just in case. Or, if you wanted to see your mother on weekends, we have a way to get there.”
She follows me out of the car, the parking lot lights catching on her downturned mouth. “Seriously?”
“Why would I lie?” The only time I’ve ever lied was to Vanessa and Zeno about her sleeping in my bed. And I suppose to Serafina about the real reason I’m here, except following orders doesn’t really count.
“I don’t know. Seems being a taxi is a bit more than your job description.”
I open the door for her with a tap of the entrance card and then step in front of her to get the elevator as well. “My job description is whatever keeps you safe.”
She peers up at me, the blue of her eyes more murky than usual, clouded by grey—by tears—placed there by a man who doesn’t deserve to lick her shoes. “Like tonight?”
“Exactly.”
She’s quiet until the elevator dings at our floor. “Sorry you had to.” It’s so soft, I barely hear her over the doors screeching open. “As soon we got there, I regretted leaving with him at all.”
Inside the dorm, she cuts straight to her bedroom, returning within seconds with a towel slung one arm and tears still in her eyes. “I’m going to shower this entire night off me. Good night, if I don’t see you again.”
She’ll see me again. I head for the couch to update Zeno, keeping details to a minimum for her benefit. Physically, she’s fine, and that’s probably all he cares about. She’d be pissed if I admitted everything.
Although…she’s his responsibility, not mine, and if roles were reversed and Ana was in trouble, damn right, I’d want to know.
Me
She went out with him tonight. Picked her up in this car. I followed. Didn’t get too close enough in case he realized he’s being followed.
I think they broke up. They fought. He started to touch her, but she pushed him away. Yelled that they were over.
Zeno Mancini
Good. Not good. Fuck. Goddammit.
Me
I tried to get a picture, but there was no light.
Zeno Mancini
Please don’t let her out of your sight, especially now. If this is the Vitales, they won’t accept her rejection lying down.
Me
I won’t.
