Page 203 of Valentino

They glance into the back seat and nod. “Hello.”

“Hi.”

They’re wearing headpieces and one of them says out loud to a person on the other end, “Anna Russo, just one.”

“Pop the trunk,” one of them asks.

I don’t know these men either, there must have been a big changeover in personal guards.

Amid pops the trunk and they walk around to the back of the car.

I look out the window at the grand estate up ahead as my mind wanders, it’s been a long time since I was in a car where they were asked to pop the trunk.

Black cars are lined up in front and behind as they go through the security checkpoints, I wonder how many people are coming.

The car is searched and we’re finally waved through, we make our way up the cobblestone driveway through the beautiful, manicured gardens. It’s just on dusk; flame lanterns are lit along the driveway and fairy lights are in the trees.

Wow, this new house of theirs is really something.

They were living permanently in Lake Como, but Giuliano ended up having to be in Milan for work more than they wanted so they bought this and now live between the two locations.

The car pulls up and my door is immediately opened. “Good evening, Miss Russo,” a tall dark and handsome man says, he’s wearing a black suit and an earpiece, this must be who they were talking to from the gate.

“Hello.” I smile; my heart is thumping in my chest as I climb out of the car. My nerves are at an all-time high.

Calm down.

The man taps his earpiece. “Miss Russo is here,” he tells someone.

I clench my purse with white-knuckle force as I pretend to be cool and casual.

My God.

“Giuliano is coming out to meet you,” he tells me. “He’s on his way.”

“Okay.” I force a smile. “Thank you.”

He holds his arm out toward the house; it’s three stories tall and made of sandstone. There are giant steps leading up to the black double front doors, and the customary Ferrara lion statues are on either side of the stone balustrade.

This looks more like a castle than a house, this is grand even for Ferrara standards.

Wow.

“This way.” The man leads me up the stairs and I watch my feet as I climb the stairs, damn it, why did I wear these stupidly high stilettos.

Imagine if I fall over before I even get inside. My heart is hammering and butterflies are swirling in my stomach.

My God, why am I so nervous?

Giuliano appears at the top of the stairs, and he greets me with a broad smile. “Here she is.” He laughs as he kisses each of my cheeks and pulls me into a hug. “Anna, thank you so much for coming.”

“Thanks for inviting me.” I force a smile.

“Let’s go and find Francesca.” He crooks his elbow and I slip my arm through his.

We walk through the front doors, my eyes look around in awe, the place is packed to the rafters with beautiful people. Black-and-white checkered marble tiles are on the floor and ornate ceilings with the most beautiful chandeliers that I’ve ever seen hang low. The furniture is grand and everything is top-of-the-tree luxury.

“My God, Giuliano,” I whisper. “This house is ridiculous.”