The Brightest Star

Chapter 22

Having a glimpse into Dominic's daily life has been, honestly, uneventful. For the most part we stayed in his office. I didn't really have a choice other than to watch what he was doing.

Wire transfers of money from one country to another and finally back to America. Shipment logs with carefully worded phrases to avoid raising any alarms. Scheduling of hundreds of men, an uninterrupted 24 hour cycle of assignments. And throughout all of that, I inadvertently discovered that I was right about Leon and Marco. They do have specialties.

Leon's former membership in the motorcycle gang allows for him to be well connected. Both with other, smaller organizations and with specific individuals. His job is to gain information by any means necessary. He's always so serious and so quiet, I suppose it makes sense.

But Marco on the other hand. His job is far more simple. He's a killer; that's it. He's the one that gets sent out to deliver executions. From enemies to business associates to their own men. For such a happy go lucky guy, it's a bit surprising.

I can't tell why they were speaking so openly in front of me. Maybe they think I'm too dumb to understand. Maybe they think that they'll never let me go anyway. Maybe they think I don't care.

Of course it's wrong; I know that. But it was also surprising when I realized, I'm not afraid of them. Despite what they do. Despite the people they hurt. They don't scare me.

Leon and Dominic left right after breakfast this morning. Dom breaking off his engagement has apparently caused some issues in his business. It seems as though Bianca's father is in a similar industry as him and cutting ties has brought up a few problems.

I don't mind being left alone, though. Especially since Dom gave me the greenhouse. It's always quiet out here; no gossiping maids or shouting men. Just the music I play from the little speaker and the occasional hushed conversations of passing soldiers.

"How's it going, pretty girl?" Marco's voice startles me enough to drop the tray of seedlings in my hands.

"Shit," I mutter, immediately kneeling down to clean up the mess. I look at him briefly, "you need to stop sneaking up on me."

"Mi dispiace," he stomps out his cigarette.
(I'm sorry)

I'm able to salvage a few of the young plants, putting them back in the tray. I carefully place them on their respective shelf before grabbing the broom.

"I didn't mean to startle you," Marco says, still lingering by the door.

"I know," I reply simply.

"Sei stato qui fuori tutto il giorno?" he asks.
(Have you been out here all day?)

"I like it out here," I inform him, wiping my hands on my jeans. "It's peaceful."

Marco leans against the doorframe, folding his arms across his chest. He doesn't say anything. Just watches as I tidy up.

"I'm impressed, you know," he says casually.

"I know," I look around the greenhouse. "They're all growing so much."

"I'm not talking about your plants, principessa," he chuckles. "I'm talking about you."

"What about me?" I ask.

"The way you spoke to Bianca the other day," he gestures vaguely to the mansion. "The fact that you want to learn how to protect yourself."

I shrug, "she deserved it."

"Goddamned right she did," he smirks, pushing off the wall.

"What are you up to today?" I ask as I approach him.