My Skater Boy // V.H.

50-Buy Me

I stare at the phone number that I typed into my phone. Dante's. I hesitate to press the call button but then swallow my heart back down and press send.

It rang for a few moments and then the line picked up. It is quiet and then a low husky voice speaks. "Estella?" Dante sounds half asleep on the other line. "Why are you calling at such an ungodly hour?"

"I'll do it." I whisper into the phone. I'm sat on the edge of my bed, fully clothed and go bag in hand. "I'm on my way." I finished.

"That is so good to hear. I will have a reservation put in at the hotel." I hear the smirk in his voice. "I'll see you tomorrow evening?" He says.

"Yes." I whisper. I look over at the alarm clock and see that it is three in the morning.

"Is there something else?" Dante sounds almost... concerned.

"No. Goodnight, Dante." I swallow hard and hang up the phone before he can say anything else. I stand up and my grip on my bag tightens as I look in the mirror. I have to do this.

I walk quietly out of my room and I start to get flashbacks of when I left for LA. I walk quickly down the stairs and I get a notification that my Uber is here. I reach for the handle on the front door and hear a creak behind me. My back stiffens as I hear a deep sigh and then steps coming toward me.

"Stai andando da qualche parte?" My fathers voice rings through the air.

"I have to go get Reggie." I reply in English. I don't turn to look at him though, my eyes staying glued to the front door.

"Senza backup? Oh Estella, pensavo di averti insegnato meglio di così." He tuts. This time I turned to him. He's wearing a deep grey suit with the top three buttons of his dress shirt unbuttoned. He's holding a glass filled with what I think is brandy and takes a lazy sip as he watches me.

"You taught me to always do what I thought was right. And putting the people I love in danger again is not right." I replied. "I've already lost Aiden. I'll be home on Tuesday." I turn back around but he speaks again.

"Sempre e per sempre."

"Always and forever Papa." I nod to him. I wrap an arm around his neck and hold him close. "Te amo."

I pull away and then walk out the door. I get in the Uber and he begins to drive me to the airport.

++

When I land in Rio, the air is warm. It's December and I had to take off my jacket. I walk through the terminal and I stop in my tracks when I see a man in a black suit holding a sign with my name on it. He's wearing blackout sunglasses and his hair is cut short. "Excuse me..." I walk closer. "Who are you?"

"Miss Grimaldi? My name is Velian. Dante sent me to drive you back to the hotel you will be staying in." The man replies and he takes off his glasses revealing deep brown eyes. "Your own personal driver if I may." He smirks.

"Personal driver?" I almost laughed. "Thank you Velian but Dante didn't say anything about a personal driver." I adjust my bag on my shoulder and then take a weary look around me.

"Would you like me to call him Miss?" Velian pulls out a phone.

"Sure." I shift my weight as he clicks a few buttons and puts the phone to his ear. "Sim senhor. A garota não vem comigo e isso está começando a me irritar." He speaks in what sounds like Portuguese. I'm a little rusty with that one but I'm pretty sure he said I'm pissing him off. "He would like to speak to you."

He holds out the phone to me.

I take it. "Yes?" I say into the phone.

"He is not an axe murderer, Estella. Get in the car." Dante's cool voice replies, sending shivers down my spine.