Since I need to get more clothes anyway, I decide to hit the first bullet point. Time to put that black credit card to use.
I head downstairs and search the house for a member of staff so that I can get someone to drive me to Manhattan. I bump into Sabina lecturing a maid in the dining room.
She stops mid-sentence when she sees me and dismisses the maid. “What do you want?”
“I need a driver.”
“Where are you going?”
“Manhattan. I need to do some shopping.”
“What—”
“What’s with the twenty questions?” I snap. “Just get me what I asked for.”
Her eyes turn to slits. “You little brat. You just got married, and you’re already going off to spend Don Messero’s hard-earned money.”
Oh, if only she knew.
“What did you think of the wedding?” I ask innocently. “I felt so beautiful in all those diamonds.”
She sneers at me. “You’re a disgrace. Signora Caruso’s necklace should be scrubbed with soap after touching your filthy neck.”
“You go do that. Right after you get me my driver.”
“Don’t boss me around.”
I narrow my eyes. “My husband told me I had to have a driver in order to leave the house. What do you think he’d say if I told him you wouldn’t get me one?”
This drains the blood out of her face. Ah, so she’s scared of Rafaele. It dawns on me Rafaele would probably take issue with how she’s speaking to me, but I don’t need his help handling the maid.
“Fine,” Sabina grinds out. “I’ll get him.” She stalks out of the room, muttering something in Italian, probably more nasty things about me. Not that I care. After all, being around people who vehemently disapprove of me isn’t anything new. Try living in the Garzolo household for eighteen years. I can’t remember the last time I heard a kind word from my parents.
I’m lounging on the living room sofa when a young dude walks in five minutes later. He’s got a head of curly auburn hair, a nose piercing, and a grin that takes up half of his face. He looks like he’s in his early twenties.
“Sandro,” he says as he extends his hand. “I’m your driver.”
“That was quick.” I shake his hand. “Were you waiting in the garage or something?”
“Tiny and I were playing cards with one of the guards,” he says.
Just then, an older man walks into the living room. And by man, I mean a giant. He’s probably the same height as Nero, but twice as wide. Each one of his steps shakes the pictures on the wall. His worn leather jacket looks like it could be a tent.
“That’s Tiny,” Sandro says, pointing his thumb at the giant.
I let out an incredulous laugh. “Right. Cute nickname.”
Tiny shakes my hand with his big paw, and it’s unnerving. He could snap me in half if he wanted to. Unlike Sandro, he doesn’t seem like he ever smiles. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Messero. I’m your new bodyguard.”
“Anyway, I won,” Sando says. “In case you were wondering.”
I tear my gaze away from Tiny and turn to Sandro. “Won what?”
“The card game with the guard. Won a hundred bucks.” He winks.
“Kid, what are you doing?” Tiny mutters in a low voice. “Don’t wink at the boss’s wife.”
Sandro’s cheeks redden. “Oh, sorry. I’m just excited.” He rubs the back of his head. “This is a big assignment, you know? Driving you around. But don’t worry, I’m the best driver the don’s got. I’ve been racing since I was fourteen.”
I raise my brows. “Where were your parents?”
He shrugs. “Dead. Nero and Rafaele took me in. I’ll always be grateful to them.” He bumps his fist against his chest. “It’s an honor that the don trusts us with you, Mrs. Messero. Right, Tiny?”
The big man nods, his face very serious. He looks like the consummate professional. This is strangely uncomfortable. I know how to handle Sabina’s scorn, but I’m not sure how to respond to this. They’re excited to be around me? Sandro is bouncing on his feet like a puppy. And Tiny, well, he doesn’t exactly seem excited, but he doesn’t seem upset about the gig either.
I settle on giving them a smile. “Call me Cleo.”
“What would you like to do today?” Sandro asks cheerfully as we make our way to the garage.
“I need to buy some things.”
Tiny pulls a brand-new cell phone out of his jacket and hands it to me. “Our numbers are in there, as well as the don’s and the house line. Your sisters’ numbers too.”