Page 25 of Forgetting the Enemy
A heavenly aroma fills the room, and I find I am getting increasingly anxious to eat. I remain quiet throughout dinner and listen to the casual family conversation encompassing the room. I gather that they are a very close family. I find it odd their employees also eat with the family, but if they are treated like family as it appears, then it all makes sense. I’ve gathered that the men seated here are the most loyal and trusted employees, and it is only right for them to be treated as such. They even treat me as if I am family, but I’m pretty sure I’m not. I have to chuckle at myself.Like I really know one way or the other.
After a delicious dinner, the servers clear the table. Michael stands from his seat and steps behind me, then leans down and speaks softly into my ear. “Ready, Zaira?” His breath is warm on my neck and causes my skin to tingle.
Looking up at him I say, “Yes.”
He slides my chair out and offers his hand for me to take. I take it and rise as he turns to his father and says, “Pop, Mom, if you’ll excuse us, I’d like to show Zaira around.”
His mother smiles. “Of course, Mikey. Perhaps we will see you later.”
He nods, and we turn to leave the dining room. Michael’s father, Alex, and Gina say goodnight, but the other men around the table just nod. Ricco gets up and follows us but remains a polite distance behind.
When we reach the entryway, Michael turns back toward Ricco. “Gunner, I won’t be needing you anymore tonight. Vince will be here tomorrow, around lunchtime. You know what to do.”
“Michael, I should—”
“We can start all that tomorrow,” Michael says, interrupting him. “You can go now.”
Once Ricco leaves us I turn to Michael, “Gunner?” I ask. “I thought his name was Ricco?”
“It is. Gunner is a nickname my father gave him when he was just a kid. My father taught him how to shoot a gun. He’s the best shot I have ever seen.”A gun?
The first room Michael takes me into is a living room of some sort but more formal than not. There is a huge, ornate ivory fireplace that is the focal point of the entire room. The walls are dark, and the furniture is accented in jeweled tones. “This is the formal living room. Nobody ever uses it unless we are having a party.” He chuckles. “Not that we have many parties.”
“This house is so big. Do you ever get lost?” I ask.
“I’ve lived here all my life. I could see where it could be intimidating to someone who’s never been here before, but to me, I know this house and the grounds like the back of my hand.”
“So there’s more than just this house?” I ask.
“Oh, Zaira, there’s so much more. Let’s see, Sal and his family have a house on the grounds. We have a pool house, a stable, housing for staff and groundskeepers, and the man cave.”
“The man cave?” I ask
“Yes, it’s where us guys hang out to play poker and watch football. You know, guy stuff.”
I shake my head knowingly. “Guy stuff, right,” I say. It’s kinda nice to be able to talk with him without him walking on eggshells. It seems like we both have finally begun to relax around each other. “Will you show me the pool?”
“Of course.” He takes my hand. “Come.”
We walk down a couple hallways and approach a set of French doors. Michael opens them, and the sight before me is absolutely stunning. The pool deck is made of Italian ceramic tile in rust, blue, and gold tones. It’s stunning. There is plenty of seating around the pool, and the lights in the water give the whole area a warm glow.
“I know it’s dark and you can’t see it, but the Long Island Sound is just out there.” Michael points straight ahead beyond the pool. “It’s fairly warm tonight. Would you like to sit out here for a bit?”
“Can we?” I ask excitedly. “I would love to.”
We walk toward a bar-like table, and Michael pulls out my chair. “Sit,” he says. “Would you like something to drink?”
“I should probably stay away from alcohol for the time being. An iced tea?”
“Sweetened?”
“Unsweet.”I know I like my tea unsweetened. Curious.
He nods. Before he takes the seat next to me, he pulls out his phone. Speaking into his phone, he says, “Ricco, have Isabella bring an unsweet iced tea and a Jack and Coke to the pool deck.” He’s silent for a minute and then he says, “I don’t need a fucking bodyguard. This house is a fortress. Just do what I ask, please.” After disconnecting the phone, he drops it on the table and sits down.
Michael has a temper and doesn’t like to be coddled. Duly noted.
