Page 13 of Doll's Eye
“Fuck off.” She punches me in the tit, making me grunt and laugh. “I’m not that slutty!”
I laugh even harder. “Sure you’re not!”
She joins me in laughter, knowing how damn promiscuous she is. But she’s my best fucking friend.
Chapter seven
Alessia
Massimo insisted on having the engagement party at his estate, which was shocking. You only know who your enemies are once they make it abundantly clear.
My father and I had planned on doubling security between our men and theirs, but Massimo was quite incisive with his tactics. Quality over quantity. He wanted only those of our most trusted men as security for the party. There are extensive background checks on every person hired to work for or under us, and there are eyes everywhere, but having so many employed, sometimes one rat slips through undetected.
I’ve seen Massimo twice since our date a couple of weeks ago and received the official tour of their estate. The entire place was dead quiet, which is never the case in my home. I had to block out the maudlin feelings I felt crippled with. To no longer come home to comforting chaos. Instead, I’ll be met with chilling silence.
So far, we’ve remained professional. It might sound crazy to a stranger that I’m terrified of falling in love with my fiancé, butso would an arranged marriage. My life is certainly in a world separate from reality. Not only am I very privileged, but I’m exempt from the law. Hell, I got away with murder. I wasn’t even the slightest bit worried about getting arrested.
“You are definitely the prettier twin,” Gemma says after I slip into my evening gown in front of the floor-length mirror.
I give her a dry look in the mirror. “You’re kidding me, right?”
Her eyes widen in offense. “You’rekiddingme, right?”
“You girls are equally the most beautiful women in the world,” Mamma says as she looks at us both in the mirror with a warm smile.
“You have to say that because you’re our mother,” I retort lightly.
“And because it’s true,” Fia chimes in. “You’re twins,” she teases. “Duh.”
“Yes, my brother is certainly a fortunate man,” Sarita says from where she’s sitting.
I came over to the estate early to check on things and help make sure it all goes smoothly, so Massimo gave me a room to get ready in. Mamma, Gemma, and Fia came with me. We had some people come in to do our hair and makeup, and I invited the De Luca women to join us. Sarita politely accepted the invitation, and Vita not so politely declined.
I glance at her through the mirror and again take in her appearance. She’s hard not to gawk at. Sarita is absolutely stunning. Tall, leggy, dirty blonde hair that falls into silky waves to the middle of her back, big, bold blue eyes, full pouty lips, perfect set of teeth, and dimples when she smiles. She’s a knock-out.
My brother was an idiot to fuck things up with her. I get that he fell in love, and supposedly, it’s something you can’t help butcome on. How could he have even looked at another womanwhenthatwas supposed to be his future wife? Hell, if I were told to marry her, I wouldn’t hesitate to accept.
“Thank you, Sarita. Will your mother be joining us?”
Her perfect smile and posture never falter. “I can’t be sure. She knows where we are, so I’m sure she’ll come to us at some point before the party starts.”
Nodding my head with a smile, I reach for my glass of champagne. “Don’t drink too much before the party,piccolina. You don’t want to greet your guests drunk,” my mother chastises.
“Oh, Mamma.” I roll my eyes.
“Massimo is going to drool over you in that dress, like for real,” Fia says, and I feel my cheeks heat at the thought of him finding me attractive on any given day.
I give a nervous chuckle. “I don’t think Massimo is the kind of man to drool.”
The women all chuckle, and I glance over at Gemma. She still finds every opportunity when we’re alone to ask me if I’m still sure about this. I feel like she’s under the impression that I might be brainwashed or something. We may be twins, but we’re polar opposites regarding what we expect out of life.
Walking to her, I take her hand in mine, reassuringly squeezing it. “I’m okay, Gemma. I swear. Please stop worrying about me,” I murmur to her.
“Just please promise me, Alessia. If you have any doubts at all, don’t go through with it. You have time. And if you do go through with it, pleaseplease pleasetellBabboif he mistreats you. Don’t let your pride get in the way.”
“I promise I won’t let myself become a weak and pathetic woman,” I muse, and it seems to work as she smiles. “I can take care of myself, you know that. Plus, we have four older brothers who taught us not to take any shit.”
“Just don’t think you can handle everything on your own.”
