Chapter Ten

I twirl a strand of hair around my index finger as I look out of the jet's window, watching the landscape change from familiar to foreign.

I've never been to Mexico, and honestly if it's not Cabo we're going to, I'm not sure I'm going to love the place. But Luca had asked me, not any of the other puttana girls he could have taken with him. Me.

I have to make sure he doesn't regret the choice.

I've learned how to win over all kinds of criminal masterminds, thanks to Daddy's many meetings that he always chose to take at home. I'm sure I can handle a few Mexican men for a weekend, and one smokin" hot Italian too.

Another thought going around and around in my mind is Grazia's reaction to me going to Mexico with her brother. I had avoided telling her until we were just about to leave, and she had been understandably upset.

When I get back, I'm going to have to smooth things over with her.

We land and I step out of the jet behind Luca, letting him greet the men who are waiting on the landing strip for us. They're big, muscly Mexicans, all dressed in black, and their faces are blank. If anyone thinks that Luca lacks emotion, they should see these guys.

My stomach feels tight, realizing who we're about to fraternize with. But I know that I have Luca here and he'll make sure I get home safely.

The men all greet each other politely enough, and then Luca turns to introduce me to them. I see him smile just slightly when he says my name, and I'm not sure if it's a smile for me or just a show for the Mexicans.

"Ah Luca," says the guy with a warmest smile but a gnarly scar across his cheek. Luca had introduced him as Raul, and they seemed to know each other best. "You've got good taste in women."

I blush, and Raul takes my hand and kisses it. Luca doesn't reply, but I'm sure I see a glint in his eye.

I'm not exactly dressed to impress, with my hair in a messy bun on top of my head and my outfit consisting of a plain white tank top and denim shorts.

Luca hadn't warned me that we'd be meeting the partners right as we landed. Luca hadn't actually said much to me since he'd asked me to come with him.

We all pile into two cars and set off towards the house that we're apparently staying in. I was hoping for a hotel, with room service and possibly a rooftop pool, but I have to remind myself why I'm here.

This is for business, and for the family. I am here to be Luca's partner and to help him gain back the Mexicans' trust. If that means sleeping in their guestroom for a couple of days, so be it.

As soon as we arrive at the house, though, I feel a bit relieved. We may as well be at a hotel, the place is that big. It also looks like it probably has multiple wings, so privacy shouldn't be an issue. And if these guys are legit, which they appear to be, they'll have staff to make the stay comfortable.

"We have your room set up for you. It's our best suite." Raul says, leading us into the massive house. I notice he says room—singular. Inside, I do a little dance of triumph.

Luca and I have barely said anything to each other since we had sex in the garden, but sleeping in the same room as me would basically force him to open up again.

On the outside, I simply follow the men silently, not wanting Luca to see just how excited I am to have him all to myself for at least eight hours a night while we're here. On the inside, the happy dance continues.

Raul opens two large doors and leads us into a glorious suite. Through the short passageway, we end up in the bedroom, with a king sized bed dominating the space. There's huge windows on one side of the room that overlook a lake and gardens. On the other end is a bathroom that looks like it was taken right out of a Hilton hotel.

I almost gasp at the luxury of this "home". My own home was always a bit smaller and less grand than the Baldini mansion when we were growing up, but this is a whole new level of wealth.

Raul speaks, cutting my thoughts short and reminding me why we're here. "The party is at six tonight. It is here, on the other side of the house, so it's not far to go. Dress smart." He looks at me when he says this, and I imagine the gross thoughts going through his head.

"And then tomorrow, there is a big breakfast in the dining room." I feel like we're in a fraternity party house, except it's for cartel men and their parties which include tequila shots and cocaine rather than beer kegs and joints.

"Got it. Thanks Raul." Luca nods and puts our bags down on the sofa in the room. "We'll see you guys at six."

"Indeed. Have fun." Raul winks at Luca and the Mexican men leave the room.

We have about two hours before we need to get to the party, but without saying much, Luca takes out his laptop and sits down at the desk in the room. So I guess he's going to be working until then.

I don't bother bugging him. I brought a few magazines with me anyway. I lie on the bed and read all about the latest drama in Hollywood until it's time to get ready.

***

"You look… amazing." Luca almost drools as he compliments me.

I've chosen a deep purple dress that hugs me in all the right places. It has sleeves, and my cleavage is just enough to be alluring, but not so much that I might be mistaken for the paid entertainment.

I may be short, but the silver stilettos I've put on help add some length to my body, although I'll never match Luca's height. My dress has a classy slit on the right side just from my knee down, offering a look at my freshly-shaved legs.

I know I look good. I worked hard on looking good. Luca doesn't get to see me like this very often.

"Are you ready?" I ask, grabbing my bag. I ignore the compliment, not because I don't appreciate it, but because I don't want him to think I was hoping for it.

"Yup," he says, pulling on his jacket.

He's dressed really well, too. His tailored pants and buttoned shirt show off his toned body in a subtle way. He's clean-shaven and his dark hair is slicked back. How he manages to do all of this in such a short time almost annoys me. But the annoyance is gone as soon as I remind myself that I get to look at him all night long.

We walk down the long passageways until we can hear music coming from one of the big halls. The family is at the door, greeting guests, and they welcome us in happily. The quincea?era is beautiful, done out fully in a Parisian theme.

Luca and I walk in, arm-in-arm, looking like the perfect Italian-American crime couple.

We're both well-dressed and good-looking, which I am not too humble to notice, and I can see approving looks from the men around the room. They're probably also looking at my dress and all of its strategically revealing areas.

Raul takes us around the room, introducing me to the men that Luca already knows. They're all polite, seemingly happy that Luca is here, and that he's brought me along.

"Look at this girl, Luca!" one of them says.

Another laughs and joins in, "Sí, look at her, mirar! We can sleep easy knowing this one has you under control." They all laugh and I smile. Luca looks a little uneasy, but he's trying hard not to let it show.

"My dear Emelia, you are out of this man's league!" The boss' wife takes my arm and leads me to the bar, allowing the men to talk for a bit.

I'm not na?ve about the power of these people, and the danger of crossing them, but tonight they are the most gracious hosts.

I chat with the women for a bit, watching Luca handle himself perfectly with the men. For a moment I see us as the power couple we truly could be, him making the smart, strategic business moves and me charming the men and their wives into a trusting relationship.

If only Luca could see this too. Perhaps after this weekend he will see it, and we can finally discuss what the night in the lookout house meant.

After a while, the party seems to be dying down. The children are all put into their beds or sent home, and many of the adults start to leave as well.

Luca and the men he's speaking with make plans to move into the den for a cigar and nightcap. This is the perfect time to slip away.

I need to sit in a bath and soak away the fa?ade that I've carried with me all night. It might be exactly what I want from life, but it's still hard work keeping it up.

"You gentlemen go ahead. I'm going to head back to the room," I say as I stroke Luca's arm to give him just a bit of courage in this final conversation of the night.

"Will you be alright to find your room, Se?orita?" Raul asks me.

I nod and smile, planting a kiss on Luca's cheek. We are, after all, meant to be a couple here. He squeezes my arm and I take it as a thank you for tonight.

I say good night to the ladies who are left, and walk back through the house to the room I'm sharing with Luca. For so many of my teenage years, this sort of situation was my fantasy. Now, it seems like adult me is finally getting everything I always wished for.

I drop my bag onto the bed and start undressing in the room, happily slipping off the stilettos from my feet. Walking into the bathroom, I turn on the hot water for a bath.

This claw-foot tub has been calling my name since we stepped into the room, and my body is tired from traveling and now the intense socializing.

I pour in the vanilla-scented bubbles that are next to the tub and stand watching as the bath fills up and the bubbles create a cover over the water.

As soon as it's high enough, I slip off my underwear and step into the steaming hot water, sighing as I shift my body until I'm lying down, only my neck and head sticking out of the water.