“Good. I need soldiers there in the morning when the construction crew arrives, you and Tim as well,” he says.
“Alright. I’m going to grab something to eat and do my recon,” I get up from my stool and put my mug in the sink.
“Be safe,” my uncle says before leaving the kitchen and Tim snorts.
“He is oblivious to your size,” he says.
“It’s because he’s family. My father is the same way, and I’m sure you don’t think anything of it when you talk to me,” I say, bumping fists with him as I head up to my apartment. When people whisper that I’m some savage monster it’s also because of my size. I’m huge, 6’10”, over 400 pounds, all muscle. I’ve been compared to that guy on the fantasy show that is a reference to a mountain or something. I’m a scary fuck. The only reason I got fucked, is because those, girls know who I am. The women I’ve come across in Ohio have run the other way, might be my resting bitch face. I don’t give two fucks, I am who I am. A savage, brutal beast with a bloodlust.
I cook sausage and toast some rye bread while I stir the semolina, which is a type of porridge. I like to cook, watched my father’s cooks make our meals and I just picked up a few things. I plate the bread and sausage and pour the semolina into a bowl and dig in. I never miss breakfast. My mother before she passed, well she was killed, always told me breakfast was the most important meal of the day. I eat all the time because of my size, though I try to eat sensibly. This might last a couple of hours, but I’ll pick something up in town. Might as well try the local cuisine. Finishing my meal, I rinse my dishes and put them in the dishwasher, strap my gun to my chest, and head out. I leave my jacket, I don’t need it. It’s a nice day out today. I decide to walk, which would be good for me since I didn’t work out today. I stroll the streets, taking in the sites, memorizing the streets and surroundings, I’ll need to make a map of this for my uncle.
The walk to our lounge isn’t far. I don’t notice anyone following me or suspicious people along the way. Its near the industrial part of the city, so a lot of the warehouses look abandoned. I walk through our lot, noting where our weak points are in the high fence, where the guards will need to watch closely. I make sure to put down the best places for security cameras as well. Once I’m done my stomach is rumbling, I saw a small Italian restaurant on my way here. I know that my uncle said to try and avoid them, but I think grabbing a meal would be okay, not like they know who I am. And maybe the restaurant isn’t mobbed owned. Worth the risk for my hunger.
Eight
Adelina
I am eating breakfast when my father comes in, looking concerned.
“What’s wrong?” I ask though it takes him a while to acknowledge me.
“Oh. Nothing. Just a misunderstanding, I hope,” he mumbles.
“Okay,” I continue to eat my breakfast.
“I need you to go to the restaurant today,” he says.
“Oh?”
“Help Amato out. He needs a hostess,” he says absent-mindedly.
“You mean something happened and I need to be guarded,” I retort.
“I always want you to be safe, but yes. Matteo will be there as well. Please don’t fight me,” he replies.
“I’ll go. I’ll bring home your favorite,” I gather my dishes and kiss his cheek on the way to the sink.
“Thank you,” he moves to the coffee maker, lost in thought. I leave him be. I hope that whatever has him worried gets fixed quickly.
I put on some jeans and a nice top, flats since I’ll be on my feet, and a nice cardigan. Plain, but cute. I braid my hair and swipe some mascara on my eyes. I don’t need much makeup, I was blessed or cursed with my mother’s good looks. Tanned complexion, ocean-colored eyes, dark hair. I’ve had many men ask for my hand, I’ve had boys chase me all through school until Adolfo chased them off. I’ve been told that I could be a beauty queen, I just want to live my life, dancing in the forest, loving the breeze, talking to the animals. I want to chase dreams and rainbows, but I don’t have that luxury. I might sound ungrateful and I’m not, I do love my family and what my father has done. I wish I was swept off my feet like those Disney princesses.
Matteo is waiting for me downstairs and ushers me to the waiting car in silence. He’s not much of a talker, never has been unless it’s necessary. He’s grown up in our household. His father and my father are good friends, his father working as my father’s advisor. Adolfo and Matteo are best friends, so they talk all the time. But Matteo takes his job seriously which is why he hardly talks when he’s in security mode.
“I’ll be at a table in the corner,” he speaks.
“Alright. You have a book to read?” Trying to make conversation.
“I do. Latest mystery novel everyone’s been raving about,” he holds up his phone showing the book app he has. I should point out that this is the most he’s said to me when he’s in guard mode.
“Oh good. Hate for you to be bored,” I mumble.
“You know that I care for you, right? I can’t let myself get comfortable when I’m on the clock,” he mutters.
“I understand, you just don’t have to be such a stick in the mud while you do it,” I reply.
“Got it. I’ll try harder. I just hate for something to happen to you,” he states.
“Nothing will, you’re the best,” I compliment him and for the first time, Matteo blushes.
