“I have no time to stand around and talk. We have work,” I say as I enter my closet and decide to go for the plum wraparound dress Zane always used to love. I pull it over my body and feel the material fall over me. Immediately, I feel like I’ve chosen right. I grab a pair of Louboutins then head to my jewelery stand. I take over a long gold-chained necklace and find my favorite rings and earrings to match. As I leave the room, I’m putting my earrings in and find Zane sitting at my vanity table.
“God, woman, what you do to me,” he comments his eyes roaming up and down my small frame.
“Flattery will get you everywhere,” I announce and watch as his face lights up with hope. “Except in my panties.” I watch the grin on his face drop and my smile widens. “Now c’mon, Maverick, you’ve got an initiation to start.”
I leave him as I grab the purse I used on the flight home and head out of the room. I walk down the hallway, my steps followed by Zane’s heavier footed ones. I love the feeling of him behind me. It makes me stand taller, makes me want to walk fiercer, and makes me feel like I’m in command. As I reach the stairs, I begin to walk down, my heels alerting Carlo that I’m ready to go.
“Car’s just pulled up so good timing. I’ll brief in the car,” Carlo comments as he sees Zane and me heading down the stairs. He’s dressed in a navy blue suit with a black leather pouch under his arm; the same one my father always uses when there’s an exchange with cash involved. “Should I be concerning myself with your joint arrival?”
“Nothing happened,” I say and head straight for the open front door. I see the car waiting, our driver and guard by the back door ready for me.
“Something happened,” Carlo comments and I can just imagine the facial expression he’s giving Zane.
“Seriously, she cock blocked me,” Zane moans as he leaves the house. “I didn’t even get something to welcome me to the family.”
As Carlo begins to laugh, I look around as I reach the open back door. “Don’t encourage him!” I look at Zane and say, “Behave.”
I climb into the car, finding that Zane follows suit while Carlo rushes around to get into the front passenger seat.
“You nervous?” I ask as I sit in the back of the car.
“Terrified,” he jokes, adding on a little laughter. “This is what every mission is like, isn’t it?”
I look away and nod. I worry what he must be thinking. After all, he was aware of the death toll I had caused; he knew how many men I killed with intent. I ponder if he thinks every kill or mission is this informal. Not every time we leave the house is with a driver, security details, and a look of Mission Impossible. Most of my kills were men who wined and dined me prior to their demise.
He reaches for my hand, and I can’t help but pull away.
“You get used to it,” I comment meekly. I shift uncomfortably in my seat and feel like I’m being watched like a hawk. When I look out of the corner of my eye, I catch Zane watching me with a small smile curled on his lips. “What?” I ask, keeping my vision forward.
“Nothing,” he whispers sweetly. “You’re just adorable.”
“Nice try,” I remark, laughing lightly. “I told you what flattery will get you.” I smirk harder as I look away from him. “So quit while you’re ahead.”
“Can’t blame a guy for trying,” he comments and smirks. “Because I am going to keep trying.”
Silence overcomes us after that as we just wait to reach Carmello’s house. I gaze out of the window, staring at the normal life going on around us. I sometimes find myself incredibly jealous of those who get to go out for a walk through Madison Square Park or can take their dogs for a walk. I envy those couples who go out and hold one another’s hands and friends who grab coffee. I’ve been sheltered from living that sort of life; I can only dream of what that sort of endless freedom would be like.
“You ready, Lia?” Carlo calls out from over his shoulder, using the middle mirror to look over at me. I nod, and he gives me a wink. “What about you, Maverick? Scared yet?”
“Terrified,” he quips at my brother and tries to hide his nerves with a chuckle. “But hey, this is smooth running, right?”
“This is our father going easy on you,” Carlo quips as our driver takes a right and waits on a driveway before large iron gates. “Here we go!” he exclaims, almost too excitedly. For the one who plays the part in our family, he does get into the game easiest. As we pull to halt, Carlo gets out, and Zane and I follow. “We shouldn’t be more than twenty minutes tops. Any longer you come in, got it?”
I see Matty nod and shut his door and lean against it. He’ll stay there clock watching until he’s needed, if he is. I know he’ll watch us like a hawk until we’re in the house, and even then, he’ll watch vigilantly until we’re back.