“They are babies. They wake early, but the rest depends on what is happening that day.”
Ersilia purses her lips in disapproval. “Without strictly enforced routines, children run wild.”
I’m still fumbling for a retort when Nunzia introduces the men.“And this is Ugo and Enio, Matilde, your bodyguards.”
I might’ve guessed that. Dressed in matching black suits, everything about them screams bodyguard. They're at least twenty years older than me, stocky builds and buzzcuts with chilling eyes that remind me of a shark. Merciless predators. “I’m pleased to meet you,” I say politely to them both.
Ugo and Enio grunt in unison, their sole reply.
Nunzia has returned her attention to the stove, so Ersilia points toward the door that leads to the dining room. “The master is already having breakfast through there, Mrs. Morelli. You should join him, but you may wish to start rising earlier so you don’t keep him waiting.”
I scowl, not liking her tone or the feeling of being managed, but I’m not up to a battle of wills with a stranger this early.
My husband is seated at the end of the grand table, and I’m disappointed to see he’s nearly finished with his meal. He did say he had a meeting with Carlo Vicini and his underbosses this morning. Dressed in a navy suit and crisp white dress shirt, he looks like any wealthy businessman… except sexier with his scar.
“Good morning.” Recalling our intimacy last night, I grow flustered, not knowing what to do with my hands.
“Good morning. I wasn’t sure if you’d be up before I left.”
He makes it sound as though it didn’t matter either way to him how late I slept. Where has the man who ate me on his bathroom counter last night gone? Was that glimpse of heated passion even rarer than his smiles?
“I have to leave soon, but you’ll be wanting this,” he says, laying his napkin aside and standing. He passes me a credit card, solid black with my name stamped on it in stainless steel –Matilde Morelli.
“I don’t have a bank account or even a passport. How-”
“We have our ways.”
“What do I do with it?” I ask, staring at the card.
“You buy things.”
My eyes narrow at his dry delivery. “I know that. What things?” He gives me a puzzled look before shrugging. “How much can I spend?”
“However much you desire. It’s my job as your husband to earn more money than you can spend.”
“But-”
“You’ll need this, too, and you need to learn how to access the house’s security features with it.” He hands me a brand-new phone,reciting numbers, codes and emergency procedures. My mind is everywhere but on what he’s saying. “Make sure you memorize-”
“You hired a housekeeper,” I interrupt.
“Yes, Ersilia worked here previously. I didn’t need her full-time after Margareta died, but it’s different now.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m married again, and you’ll be expected to entertain other Trio wives in addition to taking care of my children.”
Wives like Cosima?
Hischildren.
A flicker of frustration swells. “You choose my bodyguards for me. You buy me a new phone without even asking me what I want. You hire the staff, tell me to entertain strangers. I am told to come eat with you, but you eat without me.”
“I have a feeling there’s a point here I’m missing.”
My eye twitches, and the fork on the table might look better sticking out of his ass instead. “Mypointis I should make some of these decisions, sir.”
His anger kindles at that three-letter word, sending a dangerously giddy shiver down my spine. “Don’t test my temper this early, Matilde.”