Page 38 of His Assistant

“I’m a Dominic expert,” he answers smoothly. “I’ve known you damn near my entire life, and I know how you can be. I also know that you act impulsively, and this whole thing could blow up in your face if you don’t tread lightly.”

“Then it blows up in my face,” I say. “Because I’m not telling her anything. Telling her would be more dangerous. Right now, she’s in the dark.”

“Do you really think that would help her if Calderone got to her?” he asks seriously. “He won’t give a fuck whether she knows about you or not. She’s leverage now, whether you want to admit it or not.”

“Which is exactly why she needs the protection.”

“Then she needs to know why she’s being protected.”

We stare at each other, both breathing hard, and I realize we’ve hit a stalemate. There’s no way in hell I’m telling Sofia the truth about who I am. Not about the extra security, not about Enzo Calderone. She doesn’t need to be afraid of any of it. That’s the only thing telling her would accomplish.

“Double her security,” I tell him again. “And the next time you think about questioning my authority, don’t.”

His jaw tightens and he stares at me, full of a thousand words that are better left unsaid in this moment.

“Fine,” he says. “But for the record, I think you’re making a mistake.”

“Your opinion has been noted,” I tell him. “You can go.”

He storms out and I go back to my desk and look at my monitor. Sofia is long gone, so there’s nothing to see. At least I know she’s safe for now. Still, for good measure, I take out my phone and text her.

I just want to know that you made it home safely.

There, easy enough. Innocuous enough to not raise her suspicions, but should give me the peace of mind that she’s okay.

I live in Queens, Dominic. It takes longer than 15 minutes.

I can’t help but chuckle, and some of the tension drains out of me. I’ve never texted her about anything that wasn’t work. Even though we just had sex, something about this feels more intimate.

Then text me when you are home.

I’m fine, Dominic. You don’t have to babysit me.

She’s wrong, though. I won’t get any rest until I know that no threat can reach her.

15

SOFIA

When I step out of my building the next morning, there’s a town car waiting. I don’t think much of it until the driver gets out and says, “Ms. Bellini?”

I turn to him, suspicious.

“Can I help you?” I ask warily.

“Mr. Vieri sent me to pick you up for work,” the driver tells me.

He smiles politely and moves to the back door. Mrs. Alvarez from the first floor is dragging her grocery cart toward the corner bodega, and she slows down long enough to look from the car to me. Great. I’ll be the gossip of my entire building by nine a.m.

I glance toward the subway entrance two blocks down. I should refuse the ride on principle. This is ridiculous. There’s no reason for Dominic to send a car to pick me up. I’m perfectly capable of getting to work myself.

Then again, my stomach’s been rumbling since I brushed my teeth, and my bra feels like it’s digging into my boobs. My shoes are so tight they’re giving me a headache, and my whole body feels sluggish.

So, I get in the car. I don’t want Dominic to think I’m obeying his orders, but it is nice to not have to deal with public transportation today.

I settle into the back seat and pull out my phone. The driver pulls away from the curb, and I glance back just in time to see Mrs. Alvarez chatting with one of my other neighbors, still watching the car. The gossip mill is already running strong.

I text Dominic immediately.