Page 10 of Doll's Eye
“Hm.” She glances out the window. “I guess that’s good for me then.”
“Why is that?”
She turns her smile over to me again. Even in the dark, you can see the golden slivers in her eyes. “Because I won’t have to split them between our families once married. It’ll be hard not living there anymore.” She sighs. “I couldn’t imagine not going to family dinners often.”
The car is hushed as I try to think of the last time we all sat down as a family to eat. I can’t even remember our last Christmas when everyone was there. My father has always been nothing but a boss to us growing up, and our mother hasn’t been herself for years. They had an arranged marriage, and my father used her for power, money, and heirs. After he got those from her, he completely neglected her. Multiple affairs and verbal abuse when she sought any attention from him. So, she resorted to anti-depressants she now depends on. Numbing herself into a docile and meek woman.
Any time Marino Bonetti is seen out of the estate for any reason involving an audience, he usually has his wife on his arm, and she seems earnestly content. It could be for show. Whether it’s authentic or a ruse, I respect Marino for it. Whether Alessia and I learn to love each other or not, I will do my best to appease her, and I hope she will give me respect in return.
I bring her to one of our family restaurants in the city for our first date. It’s fine dining and the best Italian food the city has to offer. She might beg to differ since her family owns one in the city as well, but I personally put a lot of passion into this place as a tribute to my late grandmother.
We indeed turn heads walking in. I’m bringing a Bonetti onto De Luca territory, and not just any Bonetti. The beautiful and fierce Alessia Bonetti. Her hips swaying, chin up, back straight. Brimming with confidence and wearing an invisible crown showing off the royalty she naturally projects.
Word of our appearance and engagement will spread quickly. No one would be foolish enough to voice their objections, and everyone would know that she is under my protection now.
Pulling out her chair for her, I take my own on the other side so I can see every muscle twitching on her beautiful face, which glows underneath the warm lighting. I study her while she settles in and takes a look around. Her full lips are a rich natural color, her nose is small and straight, and those bold copper eyes complement her olive skin and dark hair.
I tear my eyes away from her when a bottle of our finest wine is brought to us, and two glasses are poured.
Once we’re alone, she turns her attention to me. “So, now that we have the business side of things squared away, shall we discuss the terms of our marriage? What do you expect out of me as a wife, and what do I expect out of you as a husband?”
One corner of my mouth hitches up, and I use a sip of wine to cover it. I do admire her brazenness. “Ladies first.” I recline back in my chair casually.
She smirks. “How about I tell you what I want, then you tell me what you want, then we can negotiate?” I nod once. “Leading up to the wedding you may have your freedom to do as you please, with whomever you please, as long as you are discreet. Preferably outside of the city. And I will make sure to be discreetas well.”Not happening. “After we are married, I expect you to be faithful to me, and I promise to be faithful to you. I will fulfill my wifely duties to you, of course, starting the night of our wedding.” She pauses. “Oh, and I require us to have separate bedrooms. No need to encroach on each other’s space.”
“Wifely duties…” I muse.
“Yes, as in sex. And I require the same. A woman has needs as well. I refuse to have a sexless marriage. It’s a must.”
No problem there,bella. Beautiful. “Anything else?”
“Yes.” She sits up straighter. “I am not some debutant where I’m there just to smile and look pretty with my head in the sand. I refuse to be oblivious, and I want responsibilities. I’m not talking about how to perfect some family recipe. I’m valuable. Not only am I a great shot, I’m also great with numbers and very—”
“Yes.” I stop her.
“Yes, what?”
“I think you’ve made your point, and it’s now my turn.” She narrows her eyes at me but doesn’t argue.Smart woman. “I require fidelity from this moment forward. I won’t expect you in my bed until the night of our wedding, but I will certainly welcome you if your womanly needs are too hard to ignore.” I let myself smirk a little as she mirrors one back. “We most definitely will not have a sexless marriage and I do know how valuable you are, Alessia. It may have been your womanly physique and angelic face that made me look, but your intellect and ferocity have kept me captivated.” Her face softens. “For years, I have waited to find someone who could be my queen, and that’s you, Alessia. You will be myregina.” I sip my wine as I watch her gape at me, speechless. “Oh, and yes to the separate bedrooms, but only until we are married. Once we’re married, I will not have a separate bedroom from my wife.” I want her within arms reach.
She blinks several times trying to process everything, then she mentally shakes herself. “Wait…Until we’re married? I’m not living with you until we are.”
“That will be a problem for me,cara mia.”My darling. “I’d like you close by so we can get to know each other before the wedding arrives.”
“I’m sorry, Massimo. That is not going to happen,” she says firmly. “I will stay at my family’s estate until we are married, and that’s final.”
“I will give you one more month at home.”
“Is that when we will be married? One month?” she challenges with one eyebrow raised.
“That depends. Could you throw together a royal wedding that quickly?”
“Doubtful. It’ll take months to plan.”
“Shame.” We’re quiet for a long moment, neither willing to back down. “How about this? One month, you move into my estate, in your own bedroom, but you may see your family as much as you’d like.”
She leans back with both eyebrows arched. “As much as I’d like? Oh, how generous of you, Massimo. Why don’t you tell me what other kinds of privileges you will bless me with?” she sasses. “Will I be allowed free-range of the estate or permitted to certain parts? Will I be allowed to come and go as I please, or will I need to ask for permission first before stepping foot out the door?”
“Now, you’re just being childish.” She scowls, and I find even that attractive on her. “Of course, you can come and go as you please, and as far as the estate goes, I have my separate wing. Private from my mother and father, so it would be best if you stick to our side.” She doesn’t say anything as she’s clearly unsatisfied. “I know it will be difficult to leave your home and your family, but you will eventually have to. If you want to tryto make this work and have an amicable marriage, I would like it if you and I spent time together leading up to our nuptials, preferably in the evening. If you prefer to have dinner with your family, then so be it, but I would like you to come home afterward. I work long hours, so that’s all I could spare for you unless it’s a special occasion.” I take a breath. “And you said you would like responsibilities, no? How am I supposed to start giving them to you if you are not there?”
