Chapter 27: Ashton Martin

**Althaia**

“Why can’t Michael come and get me?” I was in Damiano’s office, trying to knock some sense into that thick head of his.

“I don’t like him.” He replied as he continued to look through some papers that were scattered around on his desk.

“Well, I do!” He gave me a firm look and I rolled my eyes at him.

“Antonio will drive you.”

“Why do you want to trouble the poor man by going back and forth. I’m just going to my dad’s and chill with him before I have to leave.” I sat on his desk, watching him going over a list of numbers. The list was so long with endless number, it made my eyes hurt.

“He will be staying with you. For protection.”

“That’s dumb… Protect me from what? My own father?” He sighed as he put down the papers and looked at me.

“I have to take care of something, so I won’t be able to be there with you. With Antonio there, it will give me one less thing to worry about.” I kind of felt bad when he said that, but he was still being ridiculous. I’m pretty sure Michael was more than capable to give me a ride safely.

“Fine … Where is he then? I wanna go now.”

“Outside. I’ll walk you out.” We walked outside to the huge driveway, and sure enough, Antonio was there next to car, waiting for me. He looked like the type of man you would see on a fashion runway with his dirty blonde hair, blue eyes, and short beard. He wore a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up and jeans. He nodded at us when we approached and opened the backseat door for me. Before I got in, Damiano wrapped his arm around my waist and gave me a long kiss.

“Behave.” He said when he pulled away. I grinned at him.

“I always do.” I got shy when I realized he had kissed me in front of Antonio, but he didn’t seem to mind as he walked around the SUV and got in the driver’s seat. I got in after saying bye to Damiano and we were off to go.

We had been driving for a while now and either of us were talking. The radio was playing softly in the background and now I just felt kind of awkward just sitting in silence.

“So, Antonio…” I didn’t really know what to say to him but maybe I could get to know him a little better. They were all so dark and mysterious. He looked at me through the rearview mirror. Suddenly, my mind went blank, and I didn’t know how to make small conversation.

“Uh, I’m sorry for troubling you like this. I’m sure you had other things to take care of.” I gave him a small apologetic smile.

“It’s fine.”

I sighed quietly to myself. I guess none of these men were really a fan of any type of conversation. It was always one curt answer.

“How long have you been working for Damiano?” I know it was a long shot with this question, but I guessed I preferred awkward conversation instead of silence. He went silent and I thought he wouldn’t answer me.

“Since day one. We grew up together.” It made sense then why he was one of Damiano’s most trusted men. Well, I just assumed he was because wherever Damiano went, he was right there.

“I see… Do you have any family?”

“Why the sudden interest?”

“I’m just making conversation. They are fairly normal questions to ask when you want to get to know someone.”

“Look, I’m just doing my part of the job. I would rather not have you ask me questions.” Damn, what crawled up in his butt today? I didn’t say anything back and just stayed silent. I would rather not piss him anymore off because what if something did happen and he just let me die because I annoyed him.

I had never been happier in my life when we drove into the familiar driveway of my father’s mansion. It was one really long ride and it felt even longer after my failed attempt to make conversation. I caught the sight of Michael, who was standing near his car, talking to someone. I got excited and jumped out of the car the minute Antonio came to a stop.

“Michael!” I squealed as I ran up to him.

“Thaia!” His face brightened up as he saw me. I jumped up to him, wrapping my arms around his neck and he held onto me, twirling us around and making me laugh in the process.

“Shit, did you get shorter?” He said as he put me down to my feet and put a hand on top of my head to measure.

“Fuck off. I’m wearing sneakers, that’s why, you bully.” I playfully smacked his hand away from me.

“You’ve been missed, it’s boring without you guys here.” He pulled me into a tight hug.

“I’ve missed you too! At least we can spend some time together now. I’m leaving back to moms in a few days and thought I would hang out with you guys for a bit.”

“Sure thing.” He looked behind me and saw Antonio leaning against the car, watching us.

“What is he doing here?”

“Just making sure I get back and forth safe.” I shrugged. “Where’s dad?” I said, making him look back at me.

“In his office. I’ll come with you.” He wrapped his arm around my waist and led me upstairs. I took a quick glance at Antonio, who was glaring at Michael’s arm around me.

“My beautiful daughter!” My father said as we entered his office.

“Hi papá.” I gave him a kiss on his cheek and hugged him. My smile disappeared as I looked at the dark circles under his eyes. “Are you not getting sleep?” I asked in worry.

“Don’t you worry about me. I have just been working a lot lately.” He gave me a dismissive wave and sat back behind his desk.

“You have to be careful, papá. Don’t work too hard. You can have Michael do the hard work.”

“Hey!” Michael protested and I stuck my tongue out at him.

“How's the wedding preparations?” My father asked.

“Good, it’s going to be so beautiful. She has been killing me with all of her demands.”

“Good, good.” He nodded and shared a quick Michael. Before I could ask if there was something wrong, the phone rang. My father picked up the phone and I turned to Michael.

“I thought we could all go out somewhere? The weather’s nice so why not enjoy it.”

“As long as there is food, I’m down with whatever.” I seconded it. If there is one thing we both shared, it’s the love of food. I turned to look at my father as he hung up the phone and got up from his office chair.

“Sorry, figlia. Something came up that needs my presence.”

“Oh… okay.” I tried not to look too disappointed but failed as he embraced me.

“I promise I will make it up to you when you come back, okay?” I gave him a small nod and he kissed the top of my head and left.

“Looks like it’s just the two of us, Michael. What do you wanna do?” He had an exaggerated thinking face with his forefinger and thumb on his chin. Then he snapped his fingers as an idea popped into his head.

“I know exactly where to go! You will love it there.”

“Uh, where?” I said excited.

“It’s a surprise.” He snickered.

“I hate you.” The thing is, I do love surprises if I don’t know about them. If you tell me, it’s a surprise, my curiosity will kill me. And he knew that.

“Can I drive your car?” I asked as we got outside.

“No.”

“Come on, Michael! Let me just try it this once, and I promise I won’t ever ask you again!” I out my hands together and gave him my best puppy eyes.

“… Fine. But only this time!” My eyes widened as I couldn’t believe he actually said yes.

“Oh my God, I love you!” I turned to run to the passenger seat but stopped as Antonio made his way over to me. “Oh, Antonio, we are just going for a ride. Maybe grab something to eat.” He looked between us as if trying to figure out something.

“No. You drive with me.”

“You don’t get it, I’m finally allowed to drive his car.”

“I don’t care. You’re driving with me.”

“Don’t tell her what to do.” Michael got up in his face. My heart started to beat faster at the sight of Antonio’s face.

“And what are you going to do about it?”

“Michael, don’t…” I tried to pull him back. I was afraid they were going to try and kill each other, and how exactly do you stop a fight like that beats me.

“Please Antonio, you can just follow us in your car.” I suggested. I had to separate these two quickly. He stared at Michael for a little longer before he turned around to his car. I breathed out a sigh of relief.

“Come on, let’s go.” I said, trying to ligthen the mood.

As we sat in the car, Michael had a laughing fit at me because my short legs couldn’t reach the pedals, and I had to move the seat all the way up.

“Don’t crash, the airbag will kill you.” He continued with his lame jokes.

“Shut up before I kick your ass!”

“Okay… okay… Easy over there.” I rolled my eyes at him. He was being so dramatic, and it’s barely been five minutes.

“I know how to drive.”

“Tsk, you’re a woman.”

“What the hell do you mean by that?”

“I just mean that women are not good drivers.” Oh no he fucking didn’t. We were at a stop light, and I got ready to give him a ride he will never forget. I pressed down on the gas a few times, making the car roar.

“Thaia, what are – “He screamed as I slammed my foot down, going insanely fast, weaving in and out of cars while laughing like a crazy person.

“Slow down!” He finally managed to say. I slowed down and laughed as I looked at him. He was all the way back in his seat, his foot on the dashboard and arms to the side, trying to hold onto something.

“That will teach your sexist ass!”

“You’re crazy!” I just laughed at him and looked in the rearview mirror.

“Shit, I lost Antonio.”