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Startled at the sight of the stranger, Ana tensed and then relaxed once she noticed his uniform.
A bodyguard. Likely one of their newer recruits.
The news of Gio’s parents’ deaths broke just a few weeks ago, sending shockwaves throughout the Family. Everyone was on edge. In every gathering, they whispered fearfully about the murder and wondered if there were other traitors lying in wait, especially within their own households. Most families had chosen to replace their staff and security detail to be safe. Her aunt had also become anxious since the murders and had made some staffing changes.
There was nothing immediately noteworthy about this new bodyguard, however. He was nondescript, his clipped black hair and squared jaw nothing unique. His height was rather average as well. But there was something about his thin, almond-shaped eyes–and the way they tracked her–that set her nerves abuzz.
Maybe the paranoia gripping the Family was starting to get to her too. Shrugging off the feeling, Ana nodded politely and walked on.
“Our new Boss’s fiancée, right?” he called out.
Glancing over her shoulder, Ana saw that the guard was looking not at her face, but down.
At her ass.
Her back stiffened.
Dinner had been a casual affair, so she’d worn a cropped sweater and leggings. But with the way his gaze was devouring her body, it may as well have been nothing. Discomfort crawled through her, along with confusion. She’d never been in such a situation before. All the staff in their house were overly respectful and maintained their distance.
Was she imagining it?
Eyes fixed on her, he murmured, “Lucky man.”
An odd way to describe someone who’d just lost both his parents in a fiery blaze. Ana ignored him and stiffly turned to the stairs, abandoning her earlier plans to visit Grandfather’s office.
But the guard angled himself sideways, obstructing her path.
The earlier discomfort exploded into alarm as her eyes shot up to his.
Everyone else in the family was all the way down the hall, chatting in the dining room. But she had excused herself to retire early. Thoughts of Gio had preoccupied her all night, wondering how he was doing since she’d seen him at the funeral–if it was appropriate for her to reach out while he was grieving and neck-deep in learning Don duties.
She had hoped for some quiet time in the corner office to dwell on it, but now she regretted it. If she called out from here, would anyone hear?
As her gaze searched the halls for the others, he lifted a hand, callused and bruised, to her cheek.
In a flash, hers shot out–Slap!–smacking his hand away.
Quivering, Ana stepped back as his eyes narrowed in irritation.
“Let me pass.”
“Or what?” he taunted.
“I-I will tell my grandfather.”
“That I said hello to you?”
“That you touched me.” She hugged herself.
“And?” He tilted his head.
Ana faltered at his defiance.
“And what?” the guard pressed, emboldened. He was hardly three inches taller than her, but he appeared to loom over her, casting her into the shadows. “You think they’ll fire me? Throw away my experience for someone who isn’t even a Mancini?”
He chuckled, seeing her pale.
“I know everything about you and your family. So don’t threaten me, sweetheart. I’ll be here a long time.”
