Part II - Chapter 9

                                    

                                          
Part II
Idyllic Honeymoon Phase
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Chicago

 Setting foot in Chicago wasn't as climactic as Nina expected it to be. She was calm. Too calm. Her facial expression stayed passive as they drove the streets of Lincoln Park. The grand mansions didn't do anything to change it either. Given that she was born in the family of an underboss, she had lived all her life in luxury. It was nothing new to her. 
It feels as if I'm still in New Orleans. Nina stole a glance at her husband. Except for him, of course. 
They passed the tall iron gates and a small white-painted guardhouse. Nina let her eyes explore the mansion's exterior and the greenery outside. Two lines appeared between her brows. The insides of Luciano's home were silent, yet, there were made men guarding the grounds of their superior. 
"How many men do you have guarding the house?" she asked Luciano.
"During the day there are three including Bartolomeo and the night shift consists out of five men."
Isn't that a little overkill? Even Papà didn't have that many.
Luciano killed the engine and they got out of the car.
"Bartolomeo?" 
"You'll meet him later. Stay here. I need to get something."
Nina stood on the sandstone paving as she watched Luciano walk back to the guardhouse from earlier. While her husband spoke to the man inside it, Nina took in the details of the two-story mansion. It had a sandy colour. Rows of glass she couldn't see behind because of the curtains. Each window had a railing with an intricate design. She liked them; unlike the window guards caging her in New Orleans. 
"Nina," Luciano's voice pulled her out of her daze. 
He beckoned for her to come to his side. She walked the short distance, her focus on the folded paper Luciano tucked inside his suit jacket. 
A report from the guards? It's probably from yesterday. Our wedding day. Surely, he wouldn't file away every report made by them. Had something out of the ordinary happened? Something I should worry about?
In spite of her concerns, Nina wouldn't give them a voice. Her father's warnings had been drilled into her mind. He had strongly discouraged Nina to stick her nose in business.
Instead of going straight into the mansion, Luciano made her go around it. A petite building came into sight, sturdy trees casting shadows over it as they neared the backyard. 
"This is where the guards can take breaks," he said to Nina and swung the door open. "Bartolomeo."
Nina saw the man take his shoes off the table and stand up. He looked startled. She examined his features, making sure to remember his face. Fine lines near his eyes, non-existent brows, low cheekbones and dark hair. Nina guessed he was around his forties. 
"He will be your guard from now on." 
Nina smiled politely and shook the man's hand. "It is a pleasure meeting you, Bartolomeo."
Bartolomeo answered with a terse nod. "Is there something you need me to do, Boss?"
It took Nina a second to realise he was speaking to her. Nobody had ever called her Boss. In New Orleans, her guard addressed her on a last-name basis. The change would take her some getting used to. Nina glanced at Luciano before looking back at Bartolomeo.