Mafia's Arranged Princess Bride Book1 King of New York

Chapter 62

Lucky

I check myself out in the standing mirror, wearing some smart black jodhpurs, a cream polo neck jumper and a riding jacket over, I wonder should I go down and intrude on the meeting Nico has with Aurora. I am itching to know if she has more information and as far as Nico is concerned, he is being a closed book about it. I mean, I have the right to know after all. However, I must be patient. Nico will tell me more when he knows more.

I hope his chat with Dario has gone well. I slip into brand new riding boots, they feel good. It's been a while since I have been out on a horse and although I miss my own horses at my father's grounds, I know that Nico will have equally as stunning horses in his stables here.

As I open the door, I see two bodyguards standing there, they are different ones, I am guessing it is a shift change, although I do wonder just how many people Nico has guarding us all the time.

"Miss Gianluca," the tallest of the two greets me, he has an earring in one ear, a diamond stud, short, cropped hair like a Navy Seal. I suppose he was a Seal once judging by his spectacular build, all shoulders and heavy biceps. I nod. The other guard is of a slighter build with dark hair tied in a man-bun on top of his head. His face is clean shaven and wears a navy suit unlike his counterpart who wears dark jeans and a black T-shirt.

"We understand you wish to go riding, correct?" Earring guy asks.

"Yes, that is right. I suppose one of you has to accompany me and I am guessing it is you." He nods and smiles, it's not a bad smile in fact he is good looking with tiger-colored eyes, a bit of scruff and dark eyebrows.

"It will be me. Name is Villessey, Ma'am."

"Don't call me that, it's so old." It makes me shudder.

"Right you are, Miss Gianluca."

"Lucky will be fine. Are you British?"

"Yes, from London. Been living here for the past seven years."

The other guy remains quiet. Villessey extends his arm for me to go first. The suit guy walks in front. "Do you not introduce yourself?" I ask him.

He turns, "apologies Miss Gianluca. I'm Andrewkov."

"Are you Russian?"

"Part Russian, part American. My mother is from Boston, my father from Moscow."

"Interesting," I wonder if he is the leak, I mean with a name like Yelena she is obviously Russian and in any case, this is what I have been told by Nico born to a Russian woman. So, who I wonder is the father? Maybe Aurora will know more. I for one am intrigued. Now that I have a phone again and a tablet, I will be sure to do my own research when I get back from the stables.

We arrive at the bottom of the stairs, there is nobody around which makes me wonder where my parents are and Nico's parents. Andrewkov carries on walking and opens the doors for me, I go to step outside, but he places his arm out in front of me. "I will check first."

"Oh, for heaven's sake there isn't going to be an ambush out there, look you have your guys standing out front with machine guns." I roll my eyes; this is getting way too much for my liking. How many people does Nico need? It's like Fort Know. Okay so I get we need protection but seriously outside the room, surrounding the entire property inside and outside the grounds not to mention the eyes in the sky I know he has hovering over everything. I feel like I cannot breathe, it's suffocating.

He gives the two burly guys outside dressed in black suits the nod, they part ways to allow him and myself to move down the front steps and onto the path. I watch as Andrewkov talks into his wrist before he lets me know we can continue to the stables which apparently are just a short walk from the main residence.

I follow taking in the vastness of this place, the beautiful trees lining the path, the forest to the front so dense and lush looking it makes me want to run and be amongst the thick, aged trees. The sun glints down but there is a briskness to the air, making me grateful I have put a jacket on over my jumper.

At the stables I see yet another two bodyguards with machine guns over their shoulders they nod at my guards and allow me to pass inside.

A young lad, I'd guess around seventeen or eighteen comes to greet me. "An honor Miss Gianluca for you to visit the stables this morning. I am Phillip, I tend to the horses for Mr Santangelo."

"Nice to meet you, Phillip. What horse will you be putting me on today?"

"We have a beautiful mare for you, Lizbeth is placid and loves to be ridden. She will suit you well." Of course I'd be given a placid horse, no doubt Nico has organized precisely which horse I can ride. "I will be accompanying you on the ride to show you the trails into the forest, I thought you might enjoy that today."

"Thank you, I'd love it." I refrain from telling him that I feel like the princess in the ivory tower, freedom feels alien to me at the moment. "I believe Villessey will be joining us," I tell Phillip.

"I am aware. No problem. He will be riding Jacob, a Stallion." Of course, he would be wouldn't he whilst I get an aging mare that will only go at a gentle trot. Personally, I'd rather have the Stallion so I can canter and let the breeze get under my hair. However, I am just grateful I can be outside today.

Phillip has the horses ready and his own, a beautiful handsome, tan horse that nuzzles his hand as he offers it a sugar cube. Lizbeth sniffs me before deciding I am not a threat. I stroke her forehead and bring my head to her nose. She huffs, her breath tickles my face. "Good girl, we're going to have a nice ride, lovely."

Villessey helps me up and I sit astride the beautiful dapple-grey mare, she moves slightly to accommodate me then scuffs her hoof on the stable floor. Phillip leads us out, I follow second with Villessey behind me. Leaving Andrewkov waiting out front with the other two guards.

As we become closer to the forest area, I can smell the fresh fragrance of the pine trees, my senses feel intoxicated with all the fresh air and the blue sky above with a smattering of clouds. How I wish I could be outside more often experiencing my life again. The sooner Nico finds out more about Aurora and whoever is behind the shooting the better.

Phillip picks up the pace and we all go into a gentle trot; my horse moves well. I lean forward and pat her neck as we go through the forest land until we come to a clearing the other side. The views are spectacular from here, it's like being in an emerald city here in the grounds with a modern city outside of it. You would never guess that a place like this existed not too far away from Manhattan. It's simply spectacular.

"It's stunning," I exclaim. Phillip nods.

"I knew you'd like it. We can go another route back along the horse trails, you'll be able to open Lizbeth up more and have a proper canter. Would that suit you?"

"Absolutely, I'm itching for some speed," I say as Phillip laughs. Villessey's face is impassive. I turn back in my saddle and let Lizbeth know with a slight tap of my heels to pick up her pace. Being outside is like an elixir with all the fresh air around me, inhaling it. "I'll race you both," I say as I nudge her to pick up even more.

I am off and absolutely loving how this feels, my hair flies around me and I feel like I am finally alive. Then I hear it, a bang. It scares Lizbeth who begins to rear, I can feel myself falling unable to keep steady in her frenzy. Without warning I hit the ground.

As I lay there, I can see Phillip lying face down, blood spills down his face, what the fucking hell just happened?