Chapter 131
131
Ididn’t follow Adriano’s order, though.
I’m sure he thought it was an order. I just considered it strongly worded advice.
Instead, I caught Dario as he was walking through the hallway the next morning when no one else was around.
“Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?” I asked.
“Of course,” he said pleasantly. “What’s going on p>
“I’m a little concerned about the girl p>
Dario gave me that enigmatic smile again. “Don’t be – it worked out for the best. I think keeping her here will convince her father to talk p>
“That’s not what I’m concerned about p>
“Then what p>
I cleared my throat. “I heard you said something to her father last night about not taking her virginity unless she begged you to p>
Dario looked surprised at first. Then he smirked. “Did Adriano tell you that? After the two of you left us last night p>
“I had to pry it out of him,” I lied, not wanting to get Adriano in trouble – because he’d sure as shit make me pay for it.
“I’m sure,” Dario said sardonically.
“I just want to be clear… she’s not in any danger, right p>
Dario’s expression hardened. “What do you take me for p>
“Look, I know you’re an honorable man,” I said quickly. “I just wanted to confirm… that nothing’s going to happen to her p>
“I will not hurt her p>
“That’s not exactly what I asked,” I said.
He grew angry. “Perhaps you don’t realize how gravely you’re insulting me right now p>
Now I was angry.
“Adriano told me not to talk to you about it. He said you’re a five-star general, and I’m supposed to say ‘yes, sir’ and ‘no, sir’ and keep my mouth shut. But I didn’t come here to work for a five-star general – I came here to help my friend. But if I’m not allowed to speak my mind to my friend – ”
Dario immediately softened. “It’s not like that p>
“Then what’s it like, exactly p>
“It’s true, there’s a certain level of… decorum that has to be observed now that I’m head of the family. And I would appreciate it if you observe that decorum when others are present… but you are my friend. You had my back when we were knee-deep in shit – ”
“More like neck-deep,” I said.
Dario smiled and nodded. “Yes. Neck-deep. I might not be able to act as casually as I once did when we’re around others… because of the trappings that come with my new position… but you can always come to me privately and speak your mind. Always p>
I was mollified by that and calmed down. “Thank you. So… what’s up with the girl p>
He grinned. “She’s something, isn’t she p>
I cocked an eyebrow. “Yeah, but – ”
“You don’t have to worry. My intentions towards her are…” He paused. “Maybe ‘honorable’ isn’t the right word – ”
“You’re not reassuring me,” I said darkly.
“I was thinking of this very thing last night when I saw her for the first time. I remembered a quote from a movie where an ancient Roman senator was close to taking control of the empire. Someone suggested he order his legions of soldiers to march on the city, and he replied, I shall NOT violate Rome at the moment of possessing her p>
“…that’s supposed to reassure me p>
“I will not harm her. I promise you that p>
“There’s a lot of grey area before you get to ‘harm,’” I pointed out.
He smiled as he backed away – almost jauntily. “As I said… she’ll beg me for it before I cross that line p>
“Dario – ”
“Do me a favor, will you? Keep watch over her. I want her protected at all times, day and night p>
“Is it others she needs to be protected from?” I asked sardonically. “Or you p>
He just laughed. “Trust me, my friend. This one’s special – I realize that p>
“Il solo e unico?” I asked.
The one and only?
He scoffed. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves p>
Then he grinned again and continued on down the hall.