Bow Down(173)
“That’s really beautiful.”
“Not really. My father is a fucking asshole.”
I blinked. “Oh, uh, sorry.”
“It’s okay. You didn’t make him that way. Plus, he knows he’s an asshole; he just doesn’t care.” Louisa cocked her head at me. “Question is, what are you doing here?”
“I don’t know,” I said. “I’m sorry. I was just wandering around. Is this room off limits?”
“Normally,” Louisa said. “But I cheated a little bit. I gave your key card full, unrestricted access to the mansion.”
That surprised me. I blinked, not really sure what to say. “Why would you do that?”
“Because I felt like it,” Louisa said. “I was bored and I heard you were coming.”
“So you just gave me access?”
“Sure. Thought it might be fun having a journalist wandering the halls of the mafia’s compound.” She gave me an eerie smile.
“Uh, I guess so. Wouldn’t your dad be pissed?”
“My dad is an asshole.” She took her hand off her mother’s foot. “And he doesn’t command me. Nobody does.”
“That must be nice.”
“It is nice.” She stepped toward me. I took a step back unconsciously. “I can give you that freedom too, Cassidy. Do you want to be free?”
“Maybe,” I said. “Everyone wants to be free.”
“I can give that to you. I have that power.”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
I was beginning to feel incredibly uncomfortable. Louisa’s eyes were burning into mine with an intensity that bordered on the insane. I had the feeling that I should run away, but I didn’t know why. She wasn’t threatening me at all, but she was acting erratically. She made me feel uneasy.
“I’m not sure I understand what you’re saying.”
Louisa let out a short, sharp laugh. “Of course not. I’m not giving you the whole story. Mostly because I don’t want to. But believe me, Cassidy, I’m the only person in this whole mansion who has your best interests at heart.”
“Okay,” I said. “I think I should go now.”
“Goodbye, Cassidy.”
I smiled. “Bye.”
I turned and practically ran out of there.
Once I was back in the main hallway, I quickly started to retrace my steps, my head spinning.
What was with that girl? Why was she talking about my freedom and having my best interests at heart? I didn’t know her at all. I had never seen her before in my life. And yet she’d been acting like she somehow cared about me and wanted to save me.
It was downright disturbing.
As I walked, I realized that I was lost. I had to ask for directions twice before I finally made it back to my room.
My keycard could open any door. That was an interesting development. I didn’t know what Louisa was thinking when giving me that power, but I couldn’t exactly give it back.
I stood outside my room for a second and glanced around me. Any of the doors were mine to open. I could walk in on absolutely anything.
I was still a journalist after all. I could walk in on a huge story.
But no, that was stupid. I was here trying to save my own life, not trying to find another story. I took a deep breath and opened my door.
And then laughed at what I saw.
Sitting at the table, surrounded by trays of food, was Rafa. He grinned as I came in.
“Morning, beautiful,” he said.
I made a face. “Morning.” I shut the door behind me. “What’s all this?”
“Couldn’t decide what to eat, so I ordered it all.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “That’s crazy.”
“I assumed you’d help.”
I walked over and looked at the spread. There were eggs, bacon, pancakes, basically anything you could imagine. There were even little breakfast quiches lined up in a neat little row.
He took a big bite of pancakes. “I just wanted pancakes though,” he said.
“You’re nuts.”
“It’s free food. Who cares?”
I grabbed a plate and took some food. “What do they do with the extras?”
“I’m sure they donate it.”
“Really? The mob donates food?”
“We’re the mafia, not monsters.”
“Good point.” I sat down across from him and started eating.
I suddenly realized that I should tell him about my encounter with Louisa. But as soon as I opened my mouth to speak, I thought better of it.
I didn’t know why. It was just such a strange encounter. I didn’t want to worry Rafa more than he already was, and besides, she was harmless. She hadn’t meant anything by it.