Chapter 31 Miss Universe
❦ Rosalind ❦
“I can’t breathe!”
Juliana did not relent, her tanned arms locked around my neck as she kissed me on the cheeks and mouth enthusiastically.
“La mia bambina bella!” (My beautiful little girl), she cooed nonstop.
Little? She’s only a year older than me by the way.
“What are you doing here?” I asked after she released me.
“I took it upon myself to visit. Don’t worry, I’m not mad at you for not inviting me.”
I followed behind her as she threw herself into Claudia.
“Oh, you’ve gotten so big, bella!” Claudia said, her eyes crinkling with laughter. “How’s your mama?”
“Oh, she’s alright. She misses me, but she’ll be fine. I’m here on a very important mission.” Juliana said the last part in a conspiratorial whisper to Claudia.
Claudia nodded, their eyes on me. “It’s needed.”
“What’s needed?” I asked impatiently.
“Me in your life, bella. I should have come earlier…”
“No, you don’t understand. It’s dangerous. You can’t be here.”
At my tone, she sobered and squinted at me. “If it’s dangerous for me, then we both shouldn’t be here, don’t you think?”
How could I make her understand that I had more targets on my back than a buck during hunting season?
She brushed past me to my bodyguards. “Besides, you’ve got quite the muscles protecting you.” She squeezed the arm of the blond one by the left, her tone raunchy.
I rolled my eyes. “I bet Auntie put you up to this.”
“Yes, but I didn’t need much convincing. I came to see what about the men has you in a chokehold here.”
The soldato was unmoved as she circled him, squeezing and feeling up his muscles. I walked over to save him, pulling her away by the arm.
“Well, since you’re already here, there are rules.” I stared at her pointedly.
“Lay it on me.” She said in a serious tone, her lips twitching with a smile.
“This is serious, Julie!” I said, exasperated. “You will not leave this house without me and protection. Ever.”
“I never go anywhere without protection, Rosie. See? I’ve got three in my purse right now.” She rummaged in her bag.
“Dio mio…” Claudia murmured as she turned abruptly to the kitchen.
I sighed.
“You’re gonna need more than that to protect you from what’s out here.” I grabbed her shoulders. “Promise me you won’t do anything reckless like going out alone. I’ve been kidnapped twice…”
“Twice?!” Her almond eyes bulged. “Tell me they’re dead. Who touched you? Point them out and I’ll take care of them.” She looked so serious I laughed.
“I appreciate your vengeful streak, but it’s fine.” I turned to the men behind me. “What are your names?”
The blond one who’d suffered Juliana’s assault stepped forward. “Rafe Bellini, ma’am.” A stiff nod.
Everything about him screamed danger. His broad shoulders spanned mine and Juliana’s combined. I had to raise my chin to look him in the eyes, empty, cold, fierce.
I nodded and looked at the next one. He stepped forward. “Rocco Guera.” Dark hair, lean muscle, and a grave voice that sent shivers down my spine. They would do.
“I’m hungryyyy…” Juliana whined behind me.
I intertwined our hands, pulling her toward the kitchen as Rafe and Rocco carried her extensive luggage upstairs.
“Let’s go see what Claudia made.”
After stuffing myself with Claudia’s homemade cornetto alla crema and thick hot chocolate, the horrors of the last days subsided.
Juliana brought a light I didn’t know I needed, making Claudia and I laugh, and tormenting Rafe, who she’d seemed to set her eyes on. And I couldn’t tell if the giant liked it or was just tolerating it because we were his bosses. His stone-cast face revealed nothing, but at least he didn’t move away.
I showed her to her room, but Juliana seemed to like my space very much, and we lounged on my canopied bed together.
“Remember when we used to have sleepovers?” she murmured, sounding sleepy.
She’d showered and changed into a light pink nightdress, and I knew she intended to sleep the day away.
“Of course I remember.” I watched the sunlight streaming through the pink curtain, warm on my skin. I swallowed. I didn’t like where the conversation was headed.
“Your mama used to braid our hair the exact same way, and I’d always complain ’cause I thought she did yours with extra love.”
I laughed softly. “You made her redo your hair to match mine even though they were identical styles already.”
Aunt Carina and my mother shared the same dark hair, which they passed down to their daughters, Juliana and me. But where mine was wavy and gave the impression of volume, Julie’s hair was straighter. It made all the difference, even when our hair was styled the same. And Mama would do everything to please her, so she wouldn’t feel sad about it.
I ran my fingers through her long strands now, remembering how I cut mine short the night I returned to New York.
“I’m sorry. You’ve been through so much. You don’t deserve it.”
Tears prickled my eyes. “No one does,” I whispered.
Juliana fell asleep in my bed shortly after.
I spent the rest of the day going through finances with Marcus. So much money, more than I could ever spend, was coming in through the hotel. I knew it was a behemoth with several income streams, but I hadn’t expected that much. Marcus handled most of the business with my involvement, and I was content to just observe.
A thought came to me.
“Marcus,” I called absentmindedly.
He raised his silver-streaked head to regard me across the paper-covered table.
“Yes, Rosalind.”
“Is there something I should know about the hotel?”