Mara pov
Lorenzo was standing by the window. He turned around, and the air in the room seemed to vanish. He didn't say a word. He just stared at me, his gaze traveling slowly from my neck down to the floor. For a moment, he expression was unreadable. But then he stared for a while. "The zipper," he said, his voice dropping an octave.
"I've got it," I said, reaching behind my back. But the tiny metal zip got stuck halfway up. I struggled for a second, "Damn you." I fussed.
"Turn around," Lorenzo ordered.
I hesitated, but Cemal was already busy checking his gun, giving us a bit of space. I turned my back to Lorenzo. I felt the heat of his body as he stepped closer. His large, warm fingers brushed against the bare skin of my spine. I jumped slightly at the touch, a sharp shiver racing through my body.
"Stay still," he whispered.
He didn't rush. He moved the zipper up slowly, his knuckles grazing my back with an inch. It felt like a slow burn. His breath was warm on the back of my neck, as he leaned closer to have a proper glance of the zip, making my heart race in a way that had nothing to do with fear.
When he finished, he didn't pull away immediately. He stayed there, fixing something, his presence heavy and his height intimidating. My whole body was covered in his, I looked tiny standing in front of him.
I stepped away quickly, my face flushed. "I'm going to change back into my 'rags' for the training. I'm not ruining this dress in a warehouse."
Lorenzo cleared his throat, regaining his cold mask. "Fine. Ten minutes.
The ten minutes by pass so quickly that I didn't even notice and in no time we were already in the car driving towards the warehouse.
The warehouse was hot and filled with dust. Lorenzo had me sit in a wooden chair in the center of the floor. Cemal sat on a crate nearby, watching with a serious expression.
"This isn't about the files, Mara," Lorenzo said, standing in front of me. "This is about the interrogation. Ryan Smart may try to trip you up. He will look for a crack in your story."
He leaned down, his face inches from mine. "Now, tell me. Why are you asking about the 2018 fire? Who gave you the documents?"
"I'm a journalist, Ryan," I said, using my professional voice. "I find things. It's what I do."
Lorenzo suddenly grabbed my chin, forcing me to look him in the eye. "Don't lie to me, girl. I can see the fear in your eyes. Who are you protecting?"
I didn't blink. I looked at him, seeing the man behind the monster. "I'm not protecting anyone. I'm looking for seeking for information. Something that can get me a promotion."
Lorenzo stared at me for a long beat. The intensity in his eyes was almost too much to handle. He let go of my chin and stepped back.
"Good," he said quietly. "Keep that fire. You'll need it."
Evening came too fast. We were back in the SUV, the city lights flashing past the tinted windows. I was back in the blue silk, my hair done up, feeling like a stranger in my own skin.
Lorenzo sat next to me, his black mask back on. The silence in the car was thick.
"Listen to me," he said, his voice a low growl. "David is going to be there. Cemal found out he's covering the gala for the firm."
My heart jumped. "David is there?"
"Yes." Lorenzo turned to me, his masked face inches from mine. "I'm warning you, Mara. Do not look for him. Do not talk to him more than you have to. If I see you getting close to him, the deal for Lina is over. I am the only one you focus on tonight. Do you understand?"
"You're scared of me ," I whispered, a small, defiant smile touching my lips.
"I am protecting my investment," he corrected, "There's a difference."
The car stopped. The driver opened the door to a world of flashing lights and expensive dresses . I stepped out, my heels clicking on the red carpet. I walked into the grand ballroom, the gold chandeliers blinding me for a second.
And then I saw him. Across the room, standing by the champagne tower. David. He looked up, and our eyes locked. He looked surprised.
I felt Lorenzo's eyes on me from the car behind me.