Chapter 5 5

I sat on the edge of the bed, staring down at the credit card Ermes had handed me. I needed the money desperately but the deeper I thought about it, the more it felt like I'd unknowingly stepped into something far murkier than I'd anticipated. Sure, maybe there was a reasonable explanation for why Detective Teodoro didn't recognize the name Fosco. It could be as simple as him being new to the force or recently transferred. Maybe he was on leave, spotted the patrol cars, and decided to help out. That wasn't too far-fetched, right?

With a groan, I fell back against the bed.

Realistically, any sane person might have seen through this mess from the start. What kind of cop randomly recruits girls to serve drinks at an upscale nightclub right when they're desperate for a high-paying job? If I'd been thinking clearly, I would've lumped Fosco in with Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. The problem was... Fosco was real. And now, I had actual cash in my wallet and a credit card loaded with fifteen thousand dollars.

I groaned again, pressing my palms to my cheeks and giving myself a light slap.

"Domitilla, get a grip. They haven't asked you to do anything illegal. You're serving drinks and making a killing in tips. Stop asking questions and everything will be fine."

It was a dream gig for anyone without a diploma. Three nights a week, and I was already making more than I ever had working full-time between the convenience store, the food market, and that awful delivery job. It felt like I'd hit the jackpot. Miss Bad Luck was finally riding a wave of good fortune...

I couldn't remember a time in my life when I was actually excited to go to work. Not until now. But this new feeling had very little to do with cocktails or customers and everything to do with the club's enigmatic owner and that humiliating dream I'd had starring him.

I knew it was ridiculous. A stupid crush. Still, I couldn't help it. I hoped I'd see him again tonight.

"Loredana's off today, but don't worry we've got you," said Lucilla, one of the more approachable girls, as she finished brushing shimmering powder across her golden-brown skin. Her twin, Lelia, stood beside her. Identical in every way gorgeous and dazzling. If not for Lelia's tied-back hair, I'd never keep them straight.

I had just zipped myself into my uniform when the door slammed open and one of the girls burst in, squealing. She twirled in place, laughing and bouncing on the balls of her feet.

"What's with her?" I asked, raising a brow at the twins.

Lucilla and Lelia exchanged identical sighs, arms crossed.

"That's Gelsomina," Lucilla said dryly, gesturing to the short, blonde girl still bouncing in the center of the room. Lelia rolled her eyes.

"She's been throwing herself at Ermes for weeks," Lelia added. "Looks like he finally assigned her to the VIP floor."

"The VIP floor?" I echoed.

"There's a private section upstairs," Lucilla explained. "Most of the girls want to work there."

"Because of celebrities? Do famous people show up?"

Lucilla gave a noncommittal shrug. "More likely it's about the money. Big tippers."

"And the ones who work up there... they always look so blissed out. Like they just came down from a high," Lelia said, her tone almost conspiratorial.

My heart skipped. "You think... they're being drugged?"

Lucilla laughed. "No, nothing like that. This place is strict alcohol only. Ermes and the owner don't tolerate anything else."

"So then, what are you implying?"

Gelsomina, as if summoned, flounced over and inserted herself into the conversation, flashing Lucilla a smirk. "Jealous?"

Lucilla's mouth tightened. "Congrats, Gelsomina. You finally got what you wanted."

"Not everything," she purred, a hand fluttering to her lips. "But I will."

"What do you mean?" The words left my mouth before I could stop them.

Gelsomina turned, eyes glinting. "I want Gosto. I want him on me. In me. I want him."

My jaw slackened. "Who?"

"The owner," Lelia supplied with a sigh. "Agostino Santini. Some girls overheard Ermes call him 'Gosto' a few times."

Something dark and unexpected tightened in my chest at her words. Possessiveness. I didn't even know the man, but the idea of her being near him all night sent an ugly heat coursing through me.

"What's wrong? Do you like him?" Gelsomina sneered. "Sorry to break it to you, sweetheart, but a man like Gosto wouldn't look twice at a charity case like you."

Lucilla stepped in front of me protectively. "Careful, Gelsomina."

"Yeah," Lelia added, "Domitilla is Ermes's favorite."

I blinked. "I am?"

Lelia didn't answer me, eyes still locked on Gelsomina. "They did a special recruitment, and she was the only one picked. Some say they created it just for her."

My breath caught, but Lucilla pressed a hand over my mouth before I could say anything stupid.

"So watch yourself," she warned. "Domitilla is special. Unlike you."

Gelsomina stared me down, fury simmering in her eyes. She pointed a finger, muttered something under her breath, and stormed off.

"What the hell was that?" I asked, the moment she was gone. "Why'd you tell her all that?"

Lucilla just smirked. "Because it's fun. And now she won't try anything stupid. Probably."

I didn't say it, but every fiber of me knew: this wasn't over.

My eyes kept drifting to the upper floor the very spot where Gosto had stood the night we first locked eyes. He wasn't there now, and the emptiness gnawed at something inside me.

"You keep sighing," Lucilla whispered, appearing beside me.

"I don't sigh!"

She grinned. "You're into him."

"I maybe. A little."

She snorted. "It's not a crime. Honestly, if he were illegal, I'd still break the law for him."

I smiled thinly. "I don't even know what I'm doing. It's just... that night, he looked at me. Really looked. It felt intense."

Lucilla's grin widened. "Now I don't feel bad for what I told Gelsomina."

"Why?"

She grabbed my shoulders, looked me square in the eye. "Because you're drop-dead gorgeous. Those green eyes? That hair? You look like a fairy straight out of folklore."

I laughed, flushed. "Thanks... I think?"

"Definitely a compliment," she said. Then her voice cut off. Her eyes lifted above my head. I followed her gaze.

He was there.

Gosto. Leaning on the balcony railing, speaking to a tall man with blond hair. His lips moved, but his eyes never left mine.

Lucilla squealed. "Holy fuck! He's staring at you!"

Panic kicked in, but so did something else something hungry and bold. And just like that, Gelsomina strutted into view, hips swaying as she approached him.

I wanted to rip her hair out.

"Domitilla?"

I flinched. Ermes. Of course.

He shoved a tray with two drinks into my hands and smirked. "Take these to Mr. Santini and his guest."

He knew. That bastard knew.

I pasted a fake smile onto my face and started climbing the stairs. My knees were shaking. My heart was in my throat. I made it within three steps of the top when our eyes met again and then

"I'll take that."

Gelsomina stepped in front of me, snatching the tray and giving me a soft but deliberate push.

My heel twisted.

I reached for the railing.

Too late.

I was falling.

Except I didn't hit the ground.

My head thudded against something solid, and an arm caught me around the waist.

Ermes.

He steadied me, smirking. "Well... that was fun."

My heart was pounding. My hands shook.

Above me, Gelsomina stood with my tray, smirking like she'd won.

But something shifted.

The entire club trembled.

My pulse froze as I looked up straight at the massive crystal chandelier hanging directly above her head.

And then

It fell.