Mafia Kings: Adriano: Chapter 60

When I finally opened my eyes, sunlight was peeking around the blackout curtains at the far end of the room.

I smiled drowsily and stretched… then reached out behind me to the other side of the bed.

But I didn’t find anyone there.

I turned around and saw I was alone.

I felt a sudden pang of loneliness – of feeling abandoned –

Until I saw the handwritten note he’d left on his pillow.

Had to go talk to my brothers.

See you soon.

A.

I smiled, yawned, and sat up in bed, naked as a jaybird.

I padded across the room to the window, curious about what kind of view there was.

When I pulled the curtains open, I gasped.

There were French doors that looked out on a balcony…

And the balcony looked out on a gorgeous estate.

There was a lawn the size of two football fields (soccer, not American football)…

A swimming pool that glittered blue in the sunlight…

Topiary gardens to both the left and right…

And more vineyards and orchards like the ones I’d seen last night during the drive in.

And in the distance, the rolling hills of Tuscany.

It was absolutely beautiful.

I stood there, transfixed, until my stomach rumbled with hunger.

I should get dressed and go find something to eat, I thought as I closed the curtains.

I went over to my clothes lying on the floor, but I wrinkled my nose when I picked them up. I’d been used to them yesterday, but now that I smelled them, they stank of sweat and grime. The thought of putting them on wasn’t exactly an inviting one.

Out of curiosity, I opened one of the giant wardrobes lining the wall.

Inside were two dozen dress shirts in shades of blue, black, grey, and white. I checked the labels and confirmed my suspicion: they were all from expensive designers. Brunello Cucinelli, Prada, Gucci, Balenciaga, Tom Ford, Dior, Alexander McQueen… the list went on and on.

I took out one of the softest shirts… sniffed it… and smiled.

It smelled like Adriano. That slightly musky and spicy cologne he wore.

I pulled on the shirt, luxuriating in the feel of it against my bare skin. I buttoned it up about halfway from the bottom. It was so long that the sleeves came down to my fingertips and the shirt tails covered the tops of my thighs.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door.

I giggled, embarrassed that Adriano might walk in on me wearing one of his shirts…

But then again, he might like it.

And that might lead to other things.

“Come in,” I said coquettishly…

And jumped in fright when Alessandra poked her head in.

“Hi, are you – oh,” she said in surprise as she saw me.

I screeched and closed the top of Adriano’s shirt with my hands. “Oh my god!”

“Sorry, I – ”

“No, it’s my fault – I thought you were Adriano!”

Alessandra laughed. “Knowing Adriano, he probably wouldn’t knock.”

That was true…

She held out one arm into the room. Across it were draped several casual dresses. “I thought you might need something to wear since you didn’t bring any luggage. You’re a bit taller than me, but I thought one of these might work until we can get you something better.”

I was overwhelmed by her kindness.

“Thank you… I’m so sorry I freaked out. Come in – that is, if you don’t mind how I’m dressed… or not dressed…”

She laughed again and entered the room all the way. “Don’t worry – you don’t have anything I haven’t seen in a mirror before.”

She laid out the dresses across the bed. They were all simple but luxurious – made in the simple style of a sundress but with beautiful fabric. There was an emerald green one, a sapphire blue, and a deep burgundy.

“These are beautiful…” I said admiringly as I felt the fabric.

“I’m glad you like them! They won’t be the best fit, but…”

“No, anything will be better than wearing my dirty clothes from yesterday.”

“We can have those washed for you,” she offered.

“Oh – I can’t ask you to do that – ”

She grinned. “No problem, I’ll have one of my ladies do it.”

Ah.

Servants.

In a house like this?

Of course.

“Okay,” I said, then picked the burgundy dress. “You’re sure it’s okay?”

“Of course! If you want to get dressed in the bathroom, I can wait right here and then take you downstairs.”

“Thank you.”

I entered the bathroom, shut the door, and took off Adriano’s shirt.

“I remember what it was like when I first came here,” Alessandra said from the other room. Her voice was muffled by the closed door. “It was under somewhat similar circumstances.”

“What happened?” I asked as I slipped the dress over my head. It was like a silky caress all over my body…

“I’ll tell you about it over breakfast. The men are all out on the back patio having a meeting. We can join them.”

I thought of what I would look like to Adriano.

I checked myself in the mirror –

No underwear, so no panty lines…

And my nipples couldn’t be seen under the fabric, so we were okay there, too.

I opened the door.

“Oh, you look lovely!” Alessandra exclaimed.

“My hair’s like a rat’s nest, though.”

“Nonsense – it looks wild and free. Men love that, you know,” she said mischievously. “Makes you look like you just had sex.”

I laughed. She was more right than she knew about the ‘just had sex’ part.

Or maybe she did know.

I had been kind of loud last night…

Suddenly my eyes opened wide and I turned scarlet.

My parents –

Alessandra must have read my mind. “Adriano’s bedroom is far enough away from everyone that it’s impossible to hear anything.”

“Oh, thank god,” I whispered.

Alessandra let out a peal of laughter at my relief.

“Um… do you know where my parents are?” I asked.

“They had a quick bite to eat and are walking the grounds. Your mother wanted to show your father around – she really loves the gardens.”

“I’ll bet.” Mama loved nature, yet where she and my father lived, there were precious few parks or green spaces. I smiled gratefully. “Thank you so much for taking care of her… it means the world to me.”

“She’s been an absolute joy. Are you ready to go downstairs?”

I slid my feet into my sandals, the only thing from yesterday I could stand to have on my body. “Let’s go.”