Hooded Wolves

+++ 13 - LA SIGNORA LUPESCU +++

GIOVANNI

A beautiful and exquisite woman emerged from the black FIAT 124 Spider parked in front of Viktoria Hotel as I opened the door of the elegant sports car. The staff lined up to greet her as soon as we entered the establishment with me behind her as her security detail. She looks like a diamond as she walk the halls towards the concierge. Her aura strong. Her face steadfast. Her walk unbreakable. She exude the air of a woman in charge of her life. She is a Queen of her own. And I am the guard who swore to protect her at all cost.

I noticed how people around the entrance of the hotel turned around and made second looks from the time she walked in. Men were mesmerized by her beauty. Women stared at her with envy. Others watched her curiously. The rest were simply stunned at the sight of her. Her black knee length dress looks sophisticated on her. She wore a pair of blood red pumps while holding a maroon clutch on her left hand and typing at the phone on her right hand. Her long and messy black pixie bob gave her a feisty look. Her daring and unwavering bluish gray orbs made others cower in fear. She may be of average stature but the way she carries herself made her look so tall and proud and belligerent.

She is a woman made of fire and ice. You will fear the cold but crave the burn. The lady was born to rule.

I smiled internally seeing how she had grown from the little naïve girl to the alpha woman who confidently took over Sovran. The family is very proud of her and had avowed to safeguard her with our lives.

“La Signora Lupescu, welcome!” The concierge greeted her with a small smile on her face. She returned it with a blank mien.

“How is the business?” She nodded at the concierge then asked the manager as we stopped in front of the desk. I, on the other hand, checked the surroundings while the other guards scattered around alert and ready at a moment’s notice.

“Doing well, signora.” The manager reported back.

“Good. Now where is my room?”

“Please follow me.” He answered and motioned for us to move.

I radioed in the rest of the guards to check the perimeter while I, together with Fabio, Hector and Piero, trailed behind our boss and the manager of the hotel who opened the elevator for her. She gave a last glance around the lobby before the doors closed with a satisfied look as she saw our men doing their job before we ascended the building. The manager looked flabbergasted with the giants surrounding them, a.k.a. La Signora’s sentries. I know we looked so intimidating and notorious that the manager is having a hard time to move an inch in fear for his life. He exhaled his unease when the door opened to the penthouse suite. All of us stepped out of the elevator as we followed him to the inner hall. He toured us around informing us which room is which and what door is what. My men scattered around checking every corner of the suite while me, my boss and the manager continued on.

When we arrived at the foyer, La Signora Lupescu dismissed the manager who hurriedly left as one of our men closed the door. She threw her tired self at the black leather couch in the middle of the living room. Her expression softened when she heard her men meandering around while putting our bags away.

She turn her head towards the only other man in the room and gave me a weary smile. I smiled back and sat beside her as she lay her head on my shoulders. I didn’t move to let her know that I am always there for her. I am the closest to her among all her guards since I was with her from the start. When we met, I have sworn to take care of her. She is like a sister to me. She is our Angelo.

“How are you, Rosso?”

“Exhausted.” She muttered with a sigh.

“You just have to wait a little longer before everything goes back to normal.” I assured her.