*Sephie*
“Thank you for coming, Armando. You’re my favorite. Don’t tell the others.” I said, winking at him. Both Viktor and Ivan said “hey!” behind us.
Adrik’s arm pulled me to him. I tucked myself into his side, where I fit perfectly. He motioned for both of them to sit as he pulled me back toward his desk. I jumped on the cabinet behind his desk while he sat in his chair. I caught Ivan’s eye and gave him a devilish grin. I knew Misha was going to be so excited he was back. He knew there was something more to my grin. He raised an eyebrow, squinting his eyes at me.
Armando laughed, saying, “I hear Sephie did a good job of putting Dario and Massimo in their place.” Adrik chuckled, nodding his head. I glared at Viktor and Ivan, not knowing which one of them told him. It made Armando laugh more. “They deserved it, Sephie. They’ve always been a little too misogynistic for their own good.” I crossed my arms across my chest.
“That’s much nicer than how I would’ve phrased it.”
“Were you able to find anything out about your office building?” Adrik asked.
Armando exhaled loudly, running his hands through his dark hair. “Not much. We have security footage from the days before the explosion. My people didn’t find anything from the day before the explosion, but they’re continuing to look. It’s possible they avoided the cameras somehow.”
Ivan said, “given the new information about Dario and Massimo, I would say this was more a direct attack on Armando than on you, Boss. If he’s the only one that’s loyal to you, it would benefit them to get rid of him.”
Adrik nodded, then looked to Armando. “Would you like to stay here where we can keep a closer eye on you? We can have apartments arranged for both of you.”
“I was hoping to go to my house, but my security is not up to your standards.” Armando said. He thought for a moment. “If it really is just us against the rest of them, is it a good idea to both be in the same place?”
Viktor, trying not to be offended, said, “no one is getting in or out of this building without us knowing. We have round the clock security and can increase that at a moment’s notice.”
I caught Viktor’s eye and winked at him. He was cute when he was all Russian security master.
Adrik said, “I think you would both be safer here, but it’s your choice, Mando.”
Armando looked at Giana, who hadn’t said a word and frankly, looked terrified. I could see his face soften when he looked at her. She looked up at him, her cheeks flushing slightly as he looked at her thoughtfully. “We’ll stay here. Thank you, Boss. I need to keep her safe.” Her eyes went wide for a split second before she dropped her gaze. Her cheeks turning another shade of red darker.
I smiled at the exchange. Armando was a good man.
Adrik made a quick call to have two apartments readied for them. Giana timidly touched Armando’s arm and whispered something in his ear. He looked to Viktor and Ivan, “restroom?” I hopped off the cabinet, walking to the office door. “I can show her,” I offered. Armando indicated for Giana to follow me. I walked out of the office, leaving the door open. I knew either Viktor or Ivan would get up to keep an eye out until we returned. Might as well make it easy for them.
I stole a glance at Giana as we were walking. Poor thing still looked terrified. “How long have you been working for Armando?” I asked, trying to help her feel more comfortable.
“Not even a year yet,” she said quietly. “I thought it was going to be a regular assistant job.”
I tried not to laugh. “Remind me to tell you how Ghost and I met,” I said, smiling at her. “There isn’t much that’s regular around here, but you get used to it. Armando is a good man. He’ll take care of you.” I pointed to the bathroom. “I’ll wait here.”
“Thank you,” she said, looking somewhat relieved.
After she walked into the bathroom, I turned to look back at the office door. Yep, there’s Ivan. I smiled big at him, motioning for him to come to me quickly. He walked to me without hesitation, somewhat confused. “You have to find Misha as soon as you can. He has an epic story for you. I’m dying for you to hear it. Now, quickly, go away. Poor girl is already scared to death.” I said pushing him back toward the office. He laughed, shaking his head at my nonsense.
Giana came out of the bathroom, looking slightly more relaxed. “How long have you, uh, been with… um…”
“Ghost?” I asked, smiling. “Unusual, I know. You’ll get used to it,” I said, smiling at her. “Um, it’s been a few months now. Like 4-5? I actually don’t know the real answer to that question. I’m a terrible girlfriend.”
“He doesn’t think so. You can tell you love each other. I expected you to have been together for much longer. And his bodyguards? They’re scary when you’re not around. I like them much better when you’re in the same room.”
I laughed. “They’re not as scary as they come across. But it is their job to be intimidating and they’re very good at their job, if we’re being honest here.”
“Very good,” she said, wide-eyed just before we met Ivan at the door of the office. He stepped to the side to let us walk in ahead of him. I let Giana walk in first as I grabbed Ivan’s arm and wrapped it around my shoulders. I slid my arm around his waist as we walked into the office. Adrik smirked at me when we walked into the office.
Giana sat beside Armando, smiling shyly at me with Ivan as we walked past her. I felt bad for her. I knew Ivan enjoyed intimidating people, but I also recognized there was a deeper purpose for his gruff exterior. He was a complicated man, but I adored him despite his prickly exterior. I trusted his demons to expose Giana’s bad side, if there was one. I wasn’t going to stand in the way of that. If Armando was interested in her the way I thought he was, he deserved to have someone love him for him, not for his money and power.
It wasn’t long and someone knocked on the office door, dropping off two keys for Armando and Giana, telling them where their apartments were located. They were on the 5th floor, not far from Ms. Jackson and Mr. Turner. I hadn’t seen them since we got back.
“I can show them where their apartments are. I haven’t seen Ms. Jackson or Mr. Turner since we got back anyway. I want to stop by and say hi,” I said.
Adrik looked to me, smiling. He nodded his head, then looked to Viktor and Ivan. “One of you go with her.” He stood and pulled me to him, kissing my lips gently. “I’ll be here when you’re done.” He kissed my cheek, then whispered, “don’t be too long.”
I felt my cheeks flush. I smiled at him, noticing the spark in his eye.
I looked to Viktor and Ivan. “Who’s coming with me?” I said dramatically.
They looked at each other, shrugged their shoulders and both walked toward me. “We haven’t seen Ms. Jackson or Mr. Turner either,” Viktor said.
“Aww, Viktor. You’re all soft and nougaty too. I love it.”
We stepped off the elevator, turning in the opposite direction from Ms. Jackson and Mr. Turner’s apartments. Armando was talking, as usual. Giana was quietly listening to him. I think she was the only one who was listening to him. It made me smile.
“Here you are. Do you guys need anything? Are you hungry? We can have someone grab you some food,” I asked.
Armando looked to Giana, who nodded her head. I smiled at her. “What are your feelings on sandwiches that will change your life?” Viktor and Ivan chuckled behind me.
Armando looked at me, his eyebrows raised. I looked surprised. “Tell me you know about Vinny’s, Mando?” He shook his head no. I turned to Viktor and Ivan. “You guys don’t share the gift that is Vinny’s?” my hands on my hips, trying to fake outrage.
“Well, uh, no. No, we don’t,” Viktor said.
“That’s fair. That’s totally fair. I’ll allow it.”
I turned back to Armando and Giana. “Given this is a special circumstance, you’re about to be allowed access into the inner sanctum of gastro-intestinal heaven. Prepare yourselves. This will, in fact, change your lives.”
Ivan laughed. “You should head up Vinny’s next marketing campaign.”