In the car, I turned to face Ellie, who wrapped her arms around her, trying to protect herself from something. I didn't touch her, I wanted to see her at ease and for that, I would try not to be intimidating.
— Why the surprise Principessa mia? I said I'd be back in two weeks, anyway, that's beside the point. I hope you're hungry, you still owe me dinner, don't you?
— Yes. Do I have to have sex with you? — She looked at me startled, but I could see a slight flush on her face.
— You look adorable when you blush like that, but as far as I know, I just said I'll take you to dinner.
— And I have another choice?
— Ellie, you came to me because you wanted to. If it were up to me, all of this would have been resolved, and I would have left with a sense of accomplishment.
— Is killing people your duty?
— No, unless someone tries to kill me or my family, and I never get my hands dirty.
— I still want to kill you in your sleep ... — she grunted making me laugh.
��� Sense of humour is a quality in your family from what I see. But as I said, I would love to see you try, Principessa.– I touched her face again, and she shivered. The girl was innocent and dangerous, I repeated this in my mind like a mantra.
I took Ellie to an Italian restaurant, probably the only one in town. The place is cosy like -La mensa di Federica, in Calabria; - but small, it should have a maximum of 15 tables, the red and green towels and curtains made the place beautiful, despite the simplicity.
I chose an international wine, as I didn't have a reliable national brand, I ordered a shrimp ravioli and bisque cream for two, and cannoli for dessert.
— You look even more beautiful than before, dear. I like to see you a little more relaxed.
— Not having a gun to your head works wonders for a woman. He said sarcastically. — Even though I sold my soul to the devil.
— Witty. I love her sense of humour, he and his beauty make her an irresistible woman.
— I wish I could say the same about you, but you don't make me laugh and your beauty only makes you more dangerous and repulsive.
Ah! Beautiful, brave, and sexy, as I remembered, what I wouldn't do with that mouth; and once again my thoughts betrayed. But I was interrupted by the waiter who brought us the wine.
— Glad to please your eyes, my dear, and as for the repulsive, we will see later, perhaps when you start begging.
— I don't think you know how far your control goes. — she said with disdain, but the panic was visible in her eyes, she was terrified and the attack became her best defence.
— Oh gosh. You have no idea. — I took her hand and kissed her fingers, one by one, provoking her and, at the same time, torturing myself.
We eat in silence; and although Ellie was a little nervous, I noticed that she cleaned the plate. After dinner, I left two notes on the table, the amount was enough to pay the bill and there was still a good tip. I stood up and offered my hand to her.
— Come on, Ellie, we need to talk. — She got up slowly as if expecting something very bad. — Easy, I don't bite, and we're not going to have sex in the middle of a restaurant. You are safe with me, miss. He said, trying to reassure her.
We left the restaurant the moment Jullius parked the car. He opened the door for her, who thanked her for the gesture; I believe he was finally recognized.
Ellie spent the entire trip looking through the car's dark glass, with her arms around her. Watching can become my hobby.
When the car entered the property, she looked at me in amazement.
— You live here? I thought you were from another city or even outside the country.
— You are right, my beautiful; I'm not Brazilian, but I live here in Rio de Janeiro and I bought this house recently. I don't like hotels, they are not safe, they are very impersonal.
— Are you going to live here now?
— No, but you will.
— I? I don't need to live here, I already have my house. I will come when you are here, it is enough.
— I think so, and we still have a lot to talk about.
— I can't stay here, I didn't bring anything with me, nor do I have clothes. And Alex will be worried, he is still afraid of his last visit.
I realized that she was still afraid. My mom would have slapped me pretty for everything I was doing if I were still alive.
— I don't care that you walk around the house naked, my angel. You can do this whenever you want. — I saw your panic, and so I disagreed. — I'm kidding, let's find a way to bring your things here tomorrow.
— I need to call Alex to tell him I'm not going home today, but my cell phone is out of power.
—There.— I pointed to the cordless phone on the counter. —Make your call, and then I'll show you the rest of the house.
While she called her nephew, I could see the tension leaving her body, but she didn't completely relax.
— Accepts a drink?
She denied it and continued the call. I grabbed a beer and sipped, waiting for Ellie to join me, I was relaxed enough to allow it.
I took a tour of the house with her, showed her the rooms, the simple and practical kitchen, and the bedrooms. In the meantime, I tried to understand her a little more, asked about what she studied, about family, friends, but when I asked about her boyfriend, she got stuck. From her countenance, I realized that I was hiding something about him, and it seemed to be some information that was not in the dossier about the idiot, who was in my room.
— I told you to break up with him. What happened?
— I finished… but he wasn't my boyfriend, he just thought he was. I didn't care much, he could think and say whatever he wanted as long as he left my nephew alone.
— And now? Do you mind?
— There are people worse than Diego for me to care.
You have no idea, princess, you have no idea.
— Keep it away. You are mine, and nobody touches what is mine. But the question here is how did you get involved with him, all that talk about your nephew is worthwhile if your boyfriend is worse than your brother?
— I do not want to talk about this.
— Should I ask him then?
— Shit. He was different before when we dated. But he got involved with bad people and after a while, he became a violent asshole. My nephew was in their class, but when he stopped selling drugs to them, he started being chased.
— Why did you leave him?
— I almost got arrested for drug possession because of him. One day the police came down the hill, searched the houses, and found some packages he had left there, it took me a while to prove my innocence.
— Do you like him?
— Diego is an idiot. I told him to stop, that there's nothing between us.
— And he accepted the break? — I tried to sound disinterested.
— I don't know, I don't care what he thinks. As I said, he is not the only idiot in the world who thinks he owns me.
I laughed at your boldness, I would have a challenge ahead of you, to tame that bold mouth.
— I don't even know your name. How should I call you? Sir? Master? She asked mockingly.
— How impolite of me. — I replied ignoring his sarcasm, but I took his small hand between mine and kissed it slowly. — My name is Riccardo Gouveia, and it will be a pleasure to meet you, Principessa.
— What do you want from me, Mr Riccardo? I don't think you need someone to clean your house. I am grateful to have spared my family, but what do you want from me, after all?
— Today I want to enjoy your company, talk, have a drink ... maybe watch a film?
— I do not understand.
— Relax, Ellie. For now, I just want to meet you. Do you want a beer or a stronger drink?
— Beer is fine with me. — she said softly
The rest of the evening was filled with pleasant conversation. I almost couldn't believe it when I saw her smile for the first time, a very sexy dimple appeared on her cheek and I felt a crazy urge to kiss that flaw.
Ellie danced with me, I mean, I practically forced the girl to dance. She made fun of my samba skills, but I took my revenge by putting on a tango.
When she yawned I took her to her room, she looked at me with fear, thinking that I would do something; but I just kissed her good night on the forehead and walked away, and listened when she latched the door to protect herself.
As there were no clothes for her to change — my fault, of course — I asked her to leave a t-shirt and a boxer on her bed, they would have to serve for now.
***