The rest of the day was a whirlwind of activity.
First we went to a high-end hair salon. I stared at the walls, which were filled with tasteful black-and-white photos of famous models standing next to a man with silvery hair – presumably the owner of the salon.
Adriano slipped the counter girl 500 euros, and she immediately put me in a seat. Then she went into the back of the shop.
The man in the photographs came out of the back and made a big fuss over me, saying how beautiful my hair was – but how ugly it was cut.
“But don’t worry, when I am finished, it will be – ”
He did a chef’s kiss in the air.
I have to say, he certainly delivered.
While Adriano sat nearby, the owner washed my hair with lovely rose-scented shampoo, then spent 40 minutes with his scissors snipping and cutting.
I noticed Adriano watched the door of the salon more than he watched me…
And his hand was always near his jacket…
Inches away from his gun.
But nothing unexpected happened.
At the end, the owner washed my hair again and used a blow dryer on low heat –
And when he turned me around to look at myself in the mirror, my mouth dropped open.
“You like?” the silver-haired man said with a huge smile.
I couldn’t say anything. I just nodded dumbly.
“Damn,” Adriano muttered behind me. “If you were a goddess before, now you’re Aphrodite.”
“Venus,” the owner said, using the Roman instead of the Greek name.
“Venus,” Adriano agreed.
Five minutes later, we were out on the street – and people’s heads were turning as I walked by.
I was always used to a little attention from men…
But not like this.
Adriano wrapped an arm around my waist and held me close. “I’m going to have to beat ‘em off with a stick.”
“I’m sure you’re more than capable,” I teased him.
“Yep. I’ll make an example out of the first one, and nobody else will try it again.”
I pulled back a little as a jolt of fear ran through me. I remembered all too well what he’d done in the alleyway near the betting parlor.
Adriano looked down at me and smirked. “I’m kidding.”
I leaned back in and put my head against his shoulder.
“…sort of,” he added.
