of his many enemies?
So many business rivals. So much shit to deal with.
He pictured Lucky tied up and alone. He had visions of her hitching a ride to California, clad in her tight faded jeans and clinging T-shirt. He imagined some asshole of a truck driver stopping to pick her up. Then he imagined the struggle, the rape, and finally his precious daughter’s body being tossed from the truck.
His anger knew no bounds. He holed up in his New York apartment with Jen and Costa for company. ‘Lucky’s a smart girl, she can look after herself,’ Jen kept on assuring him. ‘She’s just like you, Gino, she’ll turn up, safe and sound.’
Fine for her to say. What did she know?
He called Dario at his boarding school and informed him what was going on.
Dario sounded shocked. ‘Sorry, Dad . . . uh, Gino . . . haven’t heard from her.’
‘You’re sure?’ Gino insisted. He knew the two of them were tight and that Dario would do anything to protect his sister.
‘Not a word,’ Dario replied.
‘Listen to me, kid, if you do hear anything—’
‘I’ll call you,’ Dario gulped. His father always made him nervous.
Gino put down the phone and began pacing across his living room. Dario was a well-behaved kid, unlike his much wilder sister, Lucky, who seemed to think she could get away with anything. The trouble with Lucky was that she did things her way, and it wasn’t right. She was only fifteen. Fifteen , for Chrissake. A baby.
Gino shuddered at the thought of the things that could happen to her. She was unworldly. An innocent out and about in the real world. She was not street smart or experienced. How could he protect her when he didn’t even know where she was?
He contacted the Stanislopoulos girl’s mother again.
‘Didya check on your kid?’ he demanded.
‘I’m travelling, Mr Santangelo,’ she answered coldly. ‘I’ll have my assistant get back to you.’
Uptight bitch! She was about as much help as a nun at a whores’ convention.
‘Get me the father!’ he yelled at Costa, who jumped to it. ‘Maybe he’ll be more help.’
Chapter Twenty-Two
B y the time we arrive back in Cannes, Olympia is in a party mood and proceeds to invite everyone up to the villa. Really , Olympia? Why?
In my mind I am already plotting my escape, because if Warris and his friends are moving in I have no desire to stay around.
I decide to give it another couple of days before I phone Aunt Jen and tell her that I’ve made a huge mistake and can she please help me get home. She’ll do it, she’ll do anything for me. Then of course I’ll have to face Gino’s wrath.
Hmm . . . I have a choice – Gino’s wrath or endless time spent with a stoned Olympia and her sleazy boyfriend. Some choice.
Yes, I’m definitely moving on, unless something more than a quick crush develops with Jon. He looked quite hot behind the bar tonight. Maybe I should take it a step further than Almost.
Then again, maybe not. The thought of getting pregnant is a major deterrent. I am not that foolish.
Back at the villa everyone is busy getting stoned except me. I sneak off to bed and lock my door. Once again, this is not the adventure I’d hoped for.
* * *
Morning dawns and the sun is shining. It is a beautiful balmy day and I am the only one up. Apparently Pippa has stayed over, for her jacket is draped next to her purse on a chair in the living room. I wonder about March – is he here too?
Apparently not, for the Rolls has gone, and Warris must have reclaimed the Mercedes, for it sits in the driveway.
I feel so alone; it’s not a great feeling. I’m missing LA and Dario and the house we live in. And yes – full disclosure – I miss Marco like crazy, even if he is inclined to ignore me.
Going home does not mean I’m returning to school. No way. School is definitely over for me, and Gino better realize that he can’t force me, ’cause if he does, I’ll just take off again. I am ready for battle. No more school
So many business rivals. So much shit to deal with.
He pictured Lucky tied up and alone. He had visions of her hitching a ride to California, clad in her tight faded jeans and clinging T-shirt. He imagined some asshole of a truck driver stopping to pick her up. Then he imagined the struggle, the rape, and finally his precious daughter’s body being tossed from the truck.
His anger knew no bounds. He holed up in his New York apartment with Jen and Costa for company. ‘Lucky’s a smart girl, she can look after herself,’ Jen kept on assuring him. ‘She’s just like you, Gino, she’ll turn up, safe and sound.’
Fine for her to say. What did she know?
He called Dario at his boarding school and informed him what was going on.
Dario sounded shocked. ‘Sorry, Dad . . . uh, Gino . . . haven’t heard from her.’
‘You’re sure?’ Gino insisted. He knew the two of them were tight and that Dario would do anything to protect his sister.
‘Not a word,’ Dario replied.
‘Listen to me, kid, if you do hear anything—’
‘I’ll call you,’ Dario gulped. His father always made him nervous.
Gino put down the phone and began pacing across his living room. Dario was a well-behaved kid, unlike his much wilder sister, Lucky, who seemed to think she could get away with anything. The trouble with Lucky was that she did things her way, and it wasn’t right. She was only fifteen. Fifteen , for Chrissake. A baby.
Gino shuddered at the thought of the things that could happen to her. She was unworldly. An innocent out and about in the real world. She was not street smart or experienced. How could he protect her when he didn’t even know where she was?
He contacted the Stanislopoulos girl’s mother again.
‘Didya check on your kid?’ he demanded.
‘I’m travelling, Mr Santangelo,’ she answered coldly. ‘I’ll have my assistant get back to you.’
Uptight bitch! She was about as much help as a nun at a whores’ convention.
‘Get me the father!’ he yelled at Costa, who jumped to it. ‘Maybe he’ll be more help.’
Chapter Twenty-Two
B y the time we arrive back in Cannes, Olympia is in a party mood and proceeds to invite everyone up to the villa. Really , Olympia? Why?
In my mind I am already plotting my escape, because if Warris and his friends are moving in I have no desire to stay around.
I decide to give it another couple of days before I phone Aunt Jen and tell her that I’ve made a huge mistake and can she please help me get home. She’ll do it, she’ll do anything for me. Then of course I’ll have to face Gino’s wrath.
Hmm . . . I have a choice – Gino’s wrath or endless time spent with a stoned Olympia and her sleazy boyfriend. Some choice.
Yes, I’m definitely moving on, unless something more than a quick crush develops with Jon. He looked quite hot behind the bar tonight. Maybe I should take it a step further than Almost.
Then again, maybe not. The thought of getting pregnant is a major deterrent. I am not that foolish.
Back at the villa everyone is busy getting stoned except me. I sneak off to bed and lock my door. Once again, this is not the adventure I’d hoped for.
* * *
Morning dawns and the sun is shining. It is a beautiful balmy day and I am the only one up. Apparently Pippa has stayed over, for her jacket is draped next to her purse on a chair in the living room. I wonder about March – is he here too?
Apparently not, for the Rolls has gone, and Warris must have reclaimed the Mercedes, for it sits in the driveway.
I feel so alone; it’s not a great feeling. I’m missing LA and Dario and the house we live in. And yes – full disclosure – I miss Marco like crazy, even if he is inclined to ignore me.
Going home does not mean I’m returning to school. No way. School is definitely over for me, and Gino better realize that he can’t force me, ’cause if he does, I’ll just take off again. I am ready for battle. No more school
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