Reverence - Book 2

- 18 -

When you know, you know. 

Like when the air is soft and dry and the waves are lazy, you'll lie on the beach all day and maybe even nap beneath the comforting hands of the sun. 

It will be a good day.

Or, when your friends cancel the plans you really didn't want to fake yourself through all evening. 

It will be a sigh of relief. 

And when half of Italy is funneling through the fiery archway to Tana Del Lupos  floating oasis of a patio;

It will be trouble. 

I felt discomfort stir in the pit of my stomach. Tan, expensive shoulders tussled against my own, as I watched Yanyahs'  white finger tips chase hungrily after hovering trays of tequila. I wanted to smack the liquor from her hands. 

She was always sloppy when she danced with tequila. 

We had dizzyingly tore down the breathing streets, withering through countless clubs and soft speaking terraces. I had almost successfully poured her back to our villa when suddenly her hands tightened around mine and she was dragging me with such intent towards this bustling crowd, you'd have thought her feet were on fire. 

It was a grand opening affair, and the primo had turned out in droves. International celebrity bled into those that were quite obviously gangsters and old money sugar babies. Yanyah had slithered us through on the backs of two very sumptuous looking Spaniards and we were left standing on the stark white limestone patio clutching tequila and waiting like soft deer in the middle of the prairie. 

This was the last place I needed to find myself. 

There was too much money, and connection and power for me to be standing here. I felt the linger of eyes and the push of low breaths as the conversations meddled around my being. 

Yanyah was spinning dizzy as the men flowed past her, her eyes darting like a cat chasing endlessly the helpless mouse. Round and Round the corners she went. 

I felt a colder sear, the wind breaking against my shoulders. Those eyes dropped and fixed, some taking careful glances and other mediating their stares. 

But those eyes were looking intentionally. 

It was too late to pull Yanyah into the blooming crowd. Into safety. 

I had been seen. 

My heart seized as my knuckles went white around my glass. 

He approached me coolly, his smile broad on his mature face. 

"I thought that may be you." 

I backed away, gently colliding with Yanyah. Her blonde head swiveled, eyes locking in on Michele. 

He grasped my free hand, placing a welcoming kiss against my knuckles. 

"it's been some time, my dear Yelena." 

I struggled to breathe. 

"It has indeed."

I squeaked out. 

I could pass out now. It would be easier. 

"How have you been?" 

There was a sharp inclination of his tone, insinuating there could be an incorrect response to his question. 

"Busy. Enjoying life." 

I mused, dropping his gaze. 

His smile turned, settling his shoulders back. 

"I have heard. Sophia and our granddaughter saw your companies rendition of Giselle last spring. How far you've grown since."

I nodded, unsure of the road he was leading me down. 

"Are you waiting for him?" 

I could die now. That would be easier.

I shook my head. 

"Waiting for who?" 

Hissed Yanyah. Her cold hand ghosted past me, into the awaiting grasp of Michele. He granted her the same niceties as he did me. 

"My name is Yanyah. Yelena who is your friend?" 

Spiteful eyes narrowed upon me. 

"This is, uh - " 

"Michele." 

He breathed, releasing her hand. 

"How do you know our Yelena." 

She quipped, testing his waters. 

"I was introduced to her many moons ago by my dearest friend Luca, but I must admit it's been the longest night since I've spoken to her. She always was one for intriguing company." 

"Oh Luca," 

Shit. 

"Yes, you two have met?" 

"Briefly." 

Her smile was tight. 

Michele flagged a black tied waiter, relieving him of his last shooters. He offered them to us, and I hungrily knocked mine back. 

"He should be arriving any moment now, would you ladies care to keep me company until then?" 

Yanyahs' lips threated to split her face. 

"We would be delighted, but would you excuse us for a moment. We need to use the little girls room." 

He offered us a resolved salute and I was being drug away once more. Her fingers dug into my wrist like shackles tearing flesh. 

The faces swept past us, as did the restrooms. She pushed past waiters and coated staff and broke through a stainless steel door that swung open in fear of her wrath. Alerted eyes turned to us as the kitchen clanked around us. The heat that emanated from her bode those to stay away. 

When you know, you know. 

And I knew that the world was about to crack open and swallow me down. 

Her arms crossed in front of her agitated body and I braced for my descent. 

"It's time to talk."