OLIVIA

Davie had left after his aunt's visit and had stayed the night at wherever, which wasn't unusual for him. He'd been true to his word about sending me some candidates, though, and I'd already interviewed eight of the security personnel. Well, I say interviewed, but it was more like me asking them completely random questions and then giving me straight answers while looking very uncomfortable. They were all very tough and Hank-like, and I wondered if Davie employed anyone apart from Victoria and Pete with any actual personality. Everyone looked so serious and was far from what I really wanted.

I checked my watch as I waited for the final candidate. I was frustrated and didn't like any of the candidates at all. It was almost 2pm, and I'd already spent my entire day interviewing. I was due to meet the ladies of this town for brunch at four, and I needed to choose my outfit and do my makeup. I wanted to stand out before them, but I would rather not look as if I were trying too hard, either.

Furthermore, I hoped that some of these women might become my friends and make my time here in Venezia more bearable. Not to mention doing something useful for charity too, helping kids and people, which would give me some purpose even if I didn't make any friends. Likewise, I wasn't even looking forward to making any friends, I just wanted to get busy. I looked up as the final candidate walked into the room, and my breath caught in my throat. He was much younger and better than the previous interviewees by a good twenty years, he was precisely what I wanted, expected, needed, and I guessed was closer to my age. He had the brightest brown eyes I'd ever seen and the cutest dimples beneath his slight beards, which were obvious because he was smiling as he walked in. And that was what set him apart the most – he actually looked like he wanted to be here, he wasn't stoic like the others. He wanted to be here and I loved it. Especially his eyes and smile.

Hi, I stuttered.'Buenos días, Mrs. Montanelli,' he said as he extended so white manly hands in greeting. I stood and shook it, noting how huge his hands and forearms were. He wore an Armani suit, different from the rest of Davie's security did, but his muscles weren't all that big like the rest too, he was just the perfect fit.

'Please call me Olivia,' I said as I took a seat smiling, fixing my dress as I say down. 'You must be Tio?''yes, that's me, ma'am,' he replied as he took a seat opposite me. I couldn't help but laugh at the formality. 'Sorry,' he laughed too. 'Hard to shake the ma'am, it's been installed into me.''You were in the military ?''Yes, ma'am, I mean, Olivia,' he quickly corrected himself.

Titan Special Unit, for twelve years. I smiled at him. 'My grandma and father served in the Vanguard Elite Corps.

He did?''Yep. For years. I used to love to listen to stories from both of them. They were my hero. My grandma's late, though.

Tio nodded. Why did you leave' I asked him? He blushed, and I wondered if I'd overstepped. 'Sorry, that's too personal.''No, it's fine,' he said as he leaned back in his chair. On my last mission, I'm in Africa, our tank got bombed. I survived, yeah, but I was a sniper, and my aim was never really the same again. I was discharged and just chose private security.

' You must have been disappointed?

Well, we're trained to handle tough.

Were you given a choice to decide this particular job, or my husband just put you to it to babysit me? I asked with my eyebrows raised. He smiled slightly at that. 'The Boss told me to come here this morning. He definitely didn't say it's a babysitting job, though. And I'm happy to be here to look after your safety.

Oh? That's great then, I thought it was the other way around. .'Tio narrowed his eyes at me. He told me I was being provided the opportunity to protect his wife. This absolutely not a problem and a win-win for me and the other candidates before me, Olivia.

This is most undoubtedly a promotion for me and the four men who were in here before me, Alana. He chose his best men for this. This is definitely not a babysitting job, ma'am.

'I didn't mean to belittle what you do in any way.'

'I know,' he said as he smiled again. 'But please don't underestimate your importance to the boss ma'am, is all I'm trying to say ma'am.

'I nodded. 'What happens now then? Do you start straight away?

I got the job?' he asked.

'Yes,' I nodded.'Then yes, orders were to start immediately.''

Good. I have a brunch by four. Is that okay?'', Of course. Wherever you need to go, I'll take you.

''So, how does this work. Do you work seven days a week?

''I usually have Thursday and every other Sunday off.

I'll be needing your schedule, but I'm also on standby whenever you need to leave the house, without Mr. Montanelli, obviously.

I went upstairs and got ready for the brunch. Tio held the door of the car and I climbed into the back seat. I was glad my second occasion of being in a car after my wedding wasn't with Pete sitting in the back with me, but Tio . Tio climbed into the front seat and started the engine. Ma'am are you safe and ready to go,' he asked as though reading my mind.'The driver is always the first target. You don't have to be uncomfortable ma, I will try to my best ability to protect you ma'am. Although most of Mr. Montanelli cars are bulletproof, so we're pretty safe,' he said with a slight smile in the rearview mirror.

I'm just happy to be out, without the normal guards. I said as I leaned against the seat and closed my eyes.