Page 8 of Doll's Eye
“Maybe now you won’t forget,” I warn playfully, and he finally leaves.
It doesn’t take long for little Alba to wake up, and I go get her. Hugging her close to me and consoling her. She knows who I am by now since I have her at least a couple of days a week, and she’s now almost eight months old. Cutest age ever. Well, I’ve said that every week since she was born. Every age being my new favorite.
“Amatissimo,” I murmur and kiss her soft curls, inhaling her sweet baby scent. “I missed you, baby.”
After putting a dry diaper on her, I have her settled into the highchair, and I’m feeding her some snacks when I feel a heavy presence nearby. The hairs on the back of my neck stand, and I’m on high alert. Even though it feels like danger, I know it can’t be. I’m safer here than anywhere. The estate is heavily guarded, and we have state-of-the-art surveillance around every corner. You would need an army to infiltrate our barriers. Or a rat inside.
Turning my head slowly, I find Massimo standing at the kitchen's threshold watching me. In his bespoke suit, he perfectly fills out his light but intense gaze, his brown hair perfectly styled, and his neatly trimmed facial hair about two shades lighter than the hair on top of his head. He is definitely a great-looking man, but who knows if the beauty has any depth.
“Massimo,” I say casually, then turn back to Alba. I should get up to properly greet him, but I don’t trust my knees not to wobble at the moment. “Oh, my goodness. You’re almost out of blueberries, aren’t you, my preciousbambina,” I say in a gentle tone with a genuine smile.
“Aren’t you joining us?”
“Joining you? Where?” My mouth pops open in surprise when Alba gobbles up more berries. “You little piggy.”
“Finalizing some of the terms as a result of our marriage.”
I don’t turn to let him see the crestfallen look on my face. I’m the one making the sacrifice here, and I’m not invited to learn of the outcome. My father acts like he understands my commitment, yet I’m left in the dark even when it directly involves me.
“I have to watch my niece.” He isn’t allowed to see my vulnerability or my cards played.
No matter how much dedication I show, my place will always be with the children or in the kitchen. In this case, both.
“Massimo. How are you?” I hear my mother politely say from the same direction.
Saved by the bell.
“Signora. I’m well,grazie.”Ma’am. I’m well, thank you.
My mother enters my periphery as she glances back at the man who will soon be her son-in-law. She has an amicable look on her face, but I can sense the uneasiness underneath. Then she focuses her attention on Alba.
“Alessia.” His voice sends that tingle down my spine. I face him with poise, as always. “I think you should join us. This is about our families and what we will both benefit from our union.” His hands are now stuffed inside the pockets of his dress slacks. Standing there looking like the model on the cover of a mafia magazine. If there were such a thing.
“I think ifBabbowanted me there, he would have asked me himself.” I turn back and avoid looking at my mother’s face.
“I’masking you, Alessia. If you would please join me at this meeting. As my fiancée, I would like you there.” My gaze jumps up to my mother as my heart does this weird little flapping inside my chest. She only stares back at me as I silently pleadwith her. Finally, after moments of disquiet, she throws her head to the side as if telling me to go.
Taking an inconspicuous deep breath, I stand to my feet and wipe my sweaty palms down my tight-jeaned thighs. I hardly wear jeans, but I wasn’t planning on seeing anyone other than family tonight. “Thank you, Mamma.” I give her a kiss on her cheek and then one to Alba before joining Massimo at his side.
I hope he doesn’t think I’m going to hold his hand or anything.
He glances back at Mamma. “Signora.” Then he places his hand on the small of my back, and I flinch a little from the tension I’m instantly fraught with. I have to force my legs to move on autopilot, heading out of the kitchen and through the house. Neither of us says a word the entire way, but his hand remains touching me. I’ve never been so aware of another person’s simple touch before.
Just before we head into the room, I stop to face him. I have to crane my neck back to look him in the eye. The very handsome face looks down at me with relaxed features, but he’s not at all placid. He displays no emotion as usual, but the more I inspect him up this close, the less threatening he seems.
Moments tick by as we stand there staring at one another. Studying, deciphering, contemplating. There are quite a few things I would like to ask him, but I let the first thing that comes to mind tumble out of my mouth without much thought. “Why?”Why what, though?I know this wasn’t his decision. It was up to our fathers. So, what am I asking?
“Because you are like no other woman, Alessia. You’re not content to be a manipulated pawn in the game. You’re a strategic player controlling the board.”
The lump in my throat doubles in size. I’m unsure what question he answered, but I’ll take it either way.
Through our short encounter at the gala, he made me feel more seen with only a handful of words than I have ever felt.Could I possibly be more to him than just a last name or leverage?
Shaking myself from my thoughts, I lick my suddenly dry lips. “I appreciate you seeing me, Massimo.”
There’s a slight tilt to his lips and a flash of warmth in his eyes, but it disappears as quickly as it appears. But it was there. “I’d like to take you to dinner tomorrow night. Discuss terms of our engagement, just you and I.”
“Okay.” I glance at the open door, but we’re angled, so no one has noticed us yet. “You sure about this?”
