Chapter 118
Lucky
“I want to take one of the horses out,” I tell the butler whose name I have completely forgotten. It would appear rude if I ask him it now since Nico did already introduce us. Shit, I hate it when that happens. And I am trying to put out a good image.
“Very well, Miss. Gianluca. I will let the stables know.”
“Thank you.” He leaves me in the library standing. First of all, I am not keen to go out on a horse again. After what happened last time, it has put the wind up me. Secondly, I am not one to go off running scared like a weak person. I have to confront my fears; I have to take the bull by the horns and face things head on.
And riding will give me some head space to think of the best way to approach Nico and his business. I know my mother and father will be arriving in a few days and momma will be all about the wedding. However, I have a planner who will help with all of that because right now, my head is full of how I can be more involved with Santangelo business. I do not mean the grey side of things. I want something for myself, something big. Something I can make my own and nurture.
Yes, I know that Nico will want children and so do I, only not right now. My father did not pay for a top education for me to sit around pushing out babies to a mafia don all year round.
“Ma’am,” the maid says. It grates on my nerves even though she is merely being respectful.
“Please call me Lucky,” I tell her.
She blushes, “I’m not allowed to call you, Lucky. It is against the bosses wishes. I can call you Queen, or Miss. Gianluca until you are Mrs. Santangelo.” Her voice is timid, she is young. At a guess I’d place her around eighteen or nineteen. Gosh, I was having the time of my life at her age, running around being wild. Adding no doubt to my father’s blood pressure and my mother clutching her pearls.
“Remind me of your name, please,” I tell her as I begin to leave the library. She moves aside to let me pass, then I turn and place a hand on her arm. “It’s absolutely fine to call me Lucky. Anything else is too stuffy. We’re not that far off each other’s ages.”
“My name is Heidi. I still can’t call you Lucky, the boss will fire me. We have had strict instructions.” She lowers her head.
“Heidi, look at me.” She lifts her head and I notice how pretty she is with amber colored eyes, dark, long lashes and a perfect mouth. “I will handle the Boss. Don’t you worry about him. I am not going around for the rest of my life being called Mrs. or Miss anything and especially not Queen. That is not happening. Okay?”
Heidi nods. “Okay then, what was it you came to see me for?”
“To let you know that your riding clothes are laid out on the bed for you.”
“Ah, perfect thank you, Heidi. Can you make sure I have some water to go as I will be out for an hour or two and don’t want to get dehydrated.”
She nods and scuttles off. I remind myself that I need to have a word with Nico. I will not have his staff being scared of me or of him. It goes without saying that he treats them well, however, he can ease off the big boss act around them.
Upstairs my outfit is indeed laying on the bed. I undress down to my underwear and reach for the cream rollneck sweater and pull it over my head, followed by the jodhpurs and finish it off by pulling on the black and tan riding boots and sliding my arms into the brown and check riding jacket.
My phone rings just as I am about to head out of the door.
“Nico, you are safe thanks for letting me know,” I say sarcastically.
“Princess don’t be like that. I had to get hold of Dario before he did anything more stupid than taking himself off to Vegas and being on someone else’s patch.”
“And is he safe too?”
“Yes, he is fine. I wanted to check in with you to see if you enjoyed your spa and to make sure you are resting.”
“It was heavenly but now I am about to go out riding. When will you be home?”
There is a pause. “Riding? You need to be taking it easy, Lucky.”
“Riding is stress relieving. I didn’t have a bang to my head. I don’t have concussion. I haven’t been shot.” I am mildly exasperated. Whereas it is sweet that Nico cares a great deal for me, I am not going to be babied.
“I still think you should rest, put your feet up, read a book or how about visiting the art studio and doing some painting.”
Now my ears prick up. I do love to pain. “You have an art studio here?”
“I have everything you need there, Princess. When I get back, I will give you the full tour.”
“And when exactly will that be?”
“Tonight. I have Dario with me and we’re heading for a meeting I need to have at the casino then straight to the airfield.”
“Okay, and by the way when you come home, Nico we need to talk.”
Another silence. I open the door and step outside only to be met by my guards again. They give me a nod; I smile in return. They take in my outfit and must already guess we are heading to the stables.
“About what, Princess?” he asks his voice slightly guarded.
“I want to be involved in the business,” I tell him listening as he almost half chokes.
“Not you too,” he mutters.
“What was that, Nico?”
“We will talk about it when I am back tonight, Lucky. Go and enjoy your horse ride.”
For some reason I don’t believe him. If he thinks he is going to fob me off with my wedding plans and pushing out babies, he obviously doesn’t know Lucky Gianluca very well!