Confronting The Walrus
“Mr. Giarre?” Zorah questioned as she approached him.
“Zorah!” he threw his massive arms in the air, “what a surprise.”
The giant of a man looked her over and Zorah didn’t miss the way his eyes darkened, his pupils dilating, as they took in her legs peeking from under her sundress. His tongue darted to his lips as he drank in her appearance and when his eyes landed back on her face, a smug smirk crossed his features. “He has you hidden out in the countryside. He should be showing you off in the streets of the city. I wonder what makes a man like Icaro Lucchesi hide his stunning bride from the world?”
“Who is this?” Sidonia questioned him boldly moving to stand between Zorah and the large man. “How dare you?”
“Settle down, Sidonia Lucchesi.” The Walrus gave her a mocking glance. “Do not get your back up because I noticed your friend and not you. You are quite jealous of her, no?”
“No.” Sidonia denied it emphatically. “I have no need to be jealous of anyone. It is a sin I have no use for. However, the way you ogle my friend and speak so rudely of my brother-in-law, tells me you are not a good man, so back up.”
“Brother-in-law? Vodingo is not Icaro’s brother.”
“She is my sister,” Sidonia jacked her thumb in Zorah’s direction. “Don’t mess with me. You might be the size of a small tank but even you have balls which can be ripped from your body.”
“Sid,” Zorah giggled. “This is Caiu Giarre, also known as The Walrus. He and Icaro have a relationship in which they goad each other to pieces. I am certain he is not looking at me for anything other than to piss off Icaro. I bet if we look around Icaro is nearby, and Mr. Giarre is being rude simply to get on Icaro’s nerves.”
“No.” The Walrus denied it. “I said it before, Zorah. You caught my eye in Rome. I think you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Heaven lost an angel when they sent you here. If all of this ever becomes too much, with all of his death and destruction, give me a call and I will whisk you away to live an exciting but far less bloody lifestyle.” He stepped closer, as if Sidonia wasn’t even in front of him, looking Zorah straight in the eyes, “I can promise you, with me, no nurses would ever be shot in the head right in front of your eyes.”
Zorah lifted her chin refusing to react to the comment. Nobody should know about what happened in the Lucchesi household and yet this man was spouting information like he was an inside source.
“I’m unclear what you’re referring to Mr. Giarre. What brings you to the Lucchesi vineyard?” She didn’t acknowledge his offer.
“Ah. I have a longstanding order with the family for their wine at my restaurants. It is the best wine in all of Italy and Sicily and I only allow the best on my tables. I am here to meet with Calogero to sign off a new distribution contract for the wine.”
“I thought you live in Rome. Why come all the way here?”
“My mother still lives locally, Zorah. She has a little house a few miles down the road. I am a dutiful son, and I do take care of her.” He gave her a beaming smile. “Would you like to come meet her, as her daughter-in-law?”
“I don’t think so,” Icaro’s voice called out from behind them. “Walrus, why are you here flirting with my wife?”
“It is only a matter of time before your dark cloud extinguishes her sunshine. When this happens, I want to be the bucket to catch the raindrops of tears and show her a good life not filled with horrors.”
Icaro’s arm snaked around Zorah’s waist as he hugged her to his side. “Your pretty words may sway your club girls, but they won’t sway my wife. She knows she is loved.” He pressed a kiss to Zorah’s temple.
“Icaro, how can you be so calm?” Sidonia stomped her foot. “He’s flat out saying he wants to steal Zorah from you.”
“First, Zorah is not my possession to steal. She is her own woman. Second, I am not so weak-minded I need worry about another man trying to manipulate her away from me. She knows my heart and I believe I know hers. Thirdly, even if by some horrible twist of fate, Zorah left me, it wouldn’t be for this man.”
“How can you be so sure?” Walrus winked at Zorah. “I could be the exact thing she needs to be sprung free from this prison she is in. Forcibly committed to a man who never committed to her until he pushed his wedding ring onto her finger. I mean, surely your wife deserves a real taste of another lover the way you tasted so many others?”
Icaro gave a laugh at his words, but Zorah felt his hand tighten against her hip. “If Zorah told me she wanted to sleep with another man I would have no right to tell her she could not. Zorah, is this what you wish?”
“No.” She shook her head in denial.
“And if you did, would it be someone like The Walrus?”
“No.”
“Why not?” the question came from The Walrus himself.
“I don’t trust you,” she said simply ignoring the smug smile on her husband’s face. “You played a game on Sunday night and made me a pawn in it. You purposefully put my husband’s ex-lovers in his face with the intent to drive a wedge, but you didn’t consider whether or not your actions would hurt me or cause me emotional distress. Whatever your intentions are for me, Mr. Giarre, they aren’t with me in mind. They are yours,” she stepped out of Icaro’s grasp, “and I am not going to be a puppet for any man, ever again. I am tired of men telling me everything they are doing is for my benefit when in fact it is simply because you covet what is not yours to take.”
The Walrus seemed surprised by her words, “my dear, I believe you misunderstood.”
“No. I did not. Sunday night you didn’t think of how my feelings would be affected and in fact, I believe you thought I’d be upset which proves to me you wanted me sad so you could sweep in. You’re not looking out for me. Whatever this game is between you,” she flicked her wrist between the two men, “leave me out of it.” Turning to Sidonia she shook her head, “please, take me to see where it is you’ll be working. I’ve had enough of this drama for today.”
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
