“Andre,” he replies without looking at me. “Where’re ya wantin’ to go, cher?”
“I don’t know,” I say with a small laugh. “I’ve only been to the center market area. You know, uh, the area Mr. Falco caught me in yesterday.”
He smirks, but his eyes stay forward as we head to the central back door. We walk through the house, and I try my hardest not to appear as if I’m searching for Donovan. I don’t see him, which doesn’t really surprise me.
“Can we walk?” I ask as we step out of the back house, and I follow him to one of the many cars sitting in the surprisingly big lot. I would wonder why one man needs so many cars, but with all the staff and… whatever floating around this house, I’m sure they aren’t all Donovan’s. “Is it far?”
“Only a few blocks,” he replies as he changes course and heads down the driveway.
The walk is silent. I don’t have the first clue what to talk about, and even if I did, I don’t know how to talk to people. It’s starting to hit me how sheltered I am and how I’ve been isolated for most of my life. How come I didn’t notice I’m a sheltered weirdo while I was in the thick of it? Is it one of those things you don’t see because it’s normal to you?
Ugh, the last thing I want to do is think about how different my life has been and how it’s strangely shaped who I am. However, my head is really a pain sometimes.
Like last night. I couldn’t sleep because I was forced to follow the whims of my brain. I spent some time wondering about who I am. What do I like? Can I really make it out here? Why am I not afraid of Donovan Falco? I know I should be, and while I don’t feel completely safe with him, I’m not afraid he’s going to hurt me.
“There are clothing shops up there if that’s what you’re needin’.” Andre’s deep voice snaps me out of my thoughts. He points across the street. I nod, and we cross over.
I stare into the windows as we pass each shop. I’m scared to go inside. These clothes look too expensive. It makes it even worse that it’s not my money I’m spending, not that I have any money. I’m not comfortable with letting Donovan pay for things, regardless of the fact that I need clothes.
I’m out on what is technically my second shopping spree, though I didn’t get anything on my first one on the account that I was taken by Donovan and all. I’m thinking I need to try reallyhard to get something because I don’t want to be stuck in this outfit for a third day. It would also be nice to have something to sleep in.
“Are you not seein’ anything you like here?” Andre asks me.
“Ah, um. Well…” I shrug as I stare at a cute light pink halter top with a huge ruffle of fabric that looks like a flower at the neck. It’s one of those items I’m instantly drawn to but would never really wear. I just don’t think I could pull it off.
“Don’t be silly. Boss wants you to get what you need.” I swear there’s humor in his tone as he gently steers me into the shop. “The one in the window,” he says before the clerk can ask if we need anything. “This little lady needs one, and everything that would go with it.”
I scowl at him, but he sends me a stoic wink. Which I did not think could be a thing. I don’t know what to think about the deadly-looking muscle man.
My head spins as I’m whisked away into a dressing room and things are thrown at me.
“You know who that is?” the clerk asks me in a hushed tone. Her eyes are wide, and there’s a hint of excitement in her expression.
“Uh, Andre?”
“He works for Donovan Falco,” she says in a hissed whisper.
I don’t like the dreamy way she says Donovan’s name. It’s just… silly to me. But then again, I guess I kind of get it, so I shouldn’t hate on her too much.
“Um, yeah. He’s funding this little shopping outing.”
She gasps, and, honest to God, her hand goes to her chest. She’s looking at me with wide eyes, making me feel like a celebrity. It’s uncomfortable, especially when I’m standing here in this dressing room about to get naked so I can try things on. I want nothing more than to get this trip over with.
I pause, thinking for a long minute.
Do I dare?
Oh, yeah, I do. I’ve got to know everything I can about Donovan Falco, and this is my chance to hear it from the people who live in the city with him. The word on the street is always the best, right? I have no idea, but it’s a thing in movies that I’ve seen over and over again. I just have to be careful. Take everything in and sort through it with a level head.
“I’m new to the area,” I say, keeping my voice low. “Do I need to be cautious of Mr. Falco?”
She glances at me with a strange look.
“Well…” she starts before letting out a little sigh. “I wouldn’t want to get on that man’s bad side, that’s for sure. And,” she brings her head closer to mine, “they used to call him ‘The Bastard’ because… you know.”
“He is one?” I ask, feeling completely confused.
“Yeah.” Her head nods frantically. “His dad knocked up one of his harlots. The kid didn’t even know his father until after his mother died when he was like thirteen or something. Poor kid. But even then, Carmine Falco—his father—wouldn’t claim him.”
