VINCENZO
The sound of rain wakes me before anything else. As my eyes find their usual place on the ceiling, my pounding head reminds me of the night I had. It comes in flashes then all at once, rounding out like a symphony when I see her. Jessica Lee’s beautiful perfection, swimming in the sheets with me. I turn to my side to catch her while she’s still asleep, but the bed is empty.
Just as I begin to sit up, my morning alarm alerts me it’s time to get ready for the day. I firmly slam my fist on its head, and the blaring horn ceases. With reluctance, I stumble out of bed and head straight for the shower. Even the hot water pounding on my back felt useless in ridding me of my headache. I wonder how Jessica’s head is.
I guess it shouldn’t matter to me. After all, it was only a one-night stand. I shake the thought from my head
Giving her the option to leave may have been foolish on my part, considering the changing weather, of course. Though it revealed she’s responsible and thoughtful with her things, worrying about her dog ruining them. I’m certain if I had mentioned to her that I’d sent someone to attend to her responsibilities, she would have stayed.
I slip out of bed and lumber to the shower, ignoring the images that plague my sleep-filled brain. Jess under me, the flush of her cheeks and the longing in her eyes as I thrust into her. Terrible thing to recount when I have to see her at work today. I can’t have our little drunken sex turn into something it shouldn’t. She’s a good employee, the best I've had actually. I won't lose her because of some silly fling that will burn out faster than the first bomb I made as a child out of mum’s kitchen chemicals.
I get dressed in my midnight black Armani suit with a black button-up and a skinny Burberry tie. I run my hands through the length of my jet-black hair, feeling rather proud of myself for what I accomplished in the past few hours. Finally having sex after an accidental sabbatical and– most important to note– narrowly evading assassination. That last one is probably an important one to note for very different reasons.
I grab my phone off the sink in a knee-jerk reaction to the thought and search through my texts to see if Lee has found anything on Rebecca Kane yet. All I can find is his last text, “On it, Mr. San Giovanni.” I roll my eyes at his formality and text back, “Vince,” before stepping into the elevator and heading with my larger-than-normal security detail, to the car awaiting me just outside.
A perkof being prompt is avoiding small talk. Not that I needed to socialize and not that I ever tried, but it made it that much easier when the office was still fairly empty. I happen to glance at Ms. Lee’s desk as I pass it on the way to my office, but it’s empty. It’s still rather early. She's always prompt, so I expect to see her within the hour.
I grit my teeth when I realize I’m thinking about her again. The idea of working with her in this mental state is not a very exciting thought. I can’t back down on the promise I made to her; it’s not fair. Maybe I just need to get away for a bit, blow off some steam with a round of LA’s most eligible bachelorettes. Surely, tangling myself with at least three of those women will power wash her out of my brain. I complete the journey to my office, taking a seat in my finely upholstered leather chair.
As if on cue, my phone buzzes the moment I’m comfortable, and I’m hoping it’s Lee with an update. I reach in my pocket, surprised to see Antonio calling this early in the morning.
“Hey, brother.” He quips on the other line, and I roll my eyes.
“What is it? I’m expecting an important call.”
“I’m not important? Alright. Guess you don’t care that Tyrone is about ready to back out of his offer to set up a parley between 6TT and Sigue-Sigue.”
“What?!” I look up to see if anyone has heard my outburst, before remembering how early I’ve come and how empty the office is as a result.
“I mean, what’d you expect? You can’t keep a toughie waiting around all night, Vince. ‘Thought Pops taught you better. He expected a call and you left him hanging.”
“I was on a date. Shit. Now you wanna be Mr. Responsible, Antonio? You could have mentioned he had such a short time limit.” I look at my desk drawer, set on taking a nice dose of Tums to soothe the bubbling sensation beginning in my stomach, but Antonio continues, and I pause.
“Lighten up. I thought you were on it and I had a party to attend.”
“Of course you did. You know what? Just don’t fucking worry about it. I’ll deal with it.” I reach my thumb across the surface of my phone to hang up, but he raises his voice and for some reason, I stop to hear him out.
“Wait! He said he’s flying to Rome this morning. I assume it’s to get some new allies for what’s happening here? But, you and I both know it’ll benefit everyone more to set up a parley.”
“So, I should order a sit-down? Head there immediately and convince him to change his mind?”
“It’s your best bet at stopping a bloodbath, brother. We ain’t got time for that type of war.”
“Uhuh.” I shook my head in annoyance. God, he really needs to grow up. I give him one job, and he royally fucks it up for a party? Little shit.
“Just stay out of trouble until I get back,” I say before hanging up, not giving him a chance to shmooze his way out of responsibility again.
Well, this is unexpected. Damn it. I’ll need to leave for Rome immediately. Before I can get too bothered by the idea, I remember how badly I need to get away when the sound of Ms. Lee’s heels clicking across the office floor grips my attention.
The top of her head bounces over to her desk before it disappears behind the cubicle. I buzz her immediately, like an instinct I can't control– and I’m actually afraid I can't–calling her to my office. She already has my usual breakfast in hand when she arrives, but she doesn’t make eye contact as she places it on my desk.
“Good morning. How was your sleep?” I hate the words coming from my mouth because I can read the room. She wants to forget just as much as I do. Though, I still can’t help trailing my eyes from her head to feet. Even with her typical slouchy two-piece, she’s somehow more attractive to me. Probably because I'm just picturing her flawless naked body. Fuck, my mind.
“Morning, boss. What can I do for you?” Her tone is awkward and flat. She evaded my question with her own, but I can't blame her. I continue with my pleasantries, even though I want to leave for Rome immediately.
“Could you please plan a six-day trip to Rome? I’ll need to leave immediately after that meeting you scheduled for me. The earlier, the better.”
“Oh. Is everything okay?” Her eyebrow raises and for some reason, a look of anger is flickering across her face. I briefly pause, attempting to decipher her attitude, but decide against speaking on it.