“He doesn’t believe in love at first sight. It still happened to him. I’ve known Alessandro for over half my life. You’re different. Different from any girlfriend, different from any fuck, different from even Geno and I. If you saw the look he gives you when you’re not paying attention you’d understand. Trust me.” Marco picks up his laptop, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Alessandro loves me? No, it’s not possible.
The rest of the day goes by in a blur as I think of the idea of Alessandro loving me. No doubt my feelings toward him have evolved in the last couple of weeks, but a man as hard as Alessandro doesn’t change. I’m his fiancé, payment for a debt, someone he enjoys in bed. In no world will I ever be his love.
Chapter 36
Alessandro
6 Days Until The Wedding
“What the fuck do you mean Geno wasn’t there? Sei stupido?” Against Geno’s wishes, I sent one of my new men to pick him up. He’s currently on the other end of the phone, spewing the dumbest shit I’ve ever heard. As I continue to scream at him, the door opens and none other than Marco and Geno walk through. I hang up the phone, cutting off the stuttering man on the other end.
“Alessandro, mio nipote, it’s good to see you.” Geno walks over, avoiding the fact that he didn’t disappear after landing.
“I sent someone to pick you up from the airstrip. I’m pretty sure he pissed his pants while I was yelling at him.”
“I flew in yesterday. I meant to surprise you, but some work came up.” His vague answer makes me wonder what he’s not telling me.
Marco scoffs, turning around and muttering something to Geno. I catch bits and pieces, realizing that he’s making fun of me.
“Next time tell me.”
“Si. Now where’s Luciana? You better not still be keeping her captive in that bedroom.”
Marco responds with a smart-ass smile on his face. “Oh, he hasn’t done that since the last time you were here. I think he’s in love, Geno.”
Geno pauses with a knowing smirk. “I knew it. What did you call it one time, Marco, being ‘pussy whipped’?” They break out into laughter at my expense, and I’d argue back if I could convince them it wasn’t true.
“Well, Geno, you know where to put your things. Marco, go do something productive. Both of you be back in an hour for lunch.”
We gather back together in an hour for lunch, Luci walking in after Geno and Marco looking distracted, defeated.
“Luciana! Bella ragazza! Come here.” Geno is a lot warmer and more welcoming than their last encounter, knowing that there was an ulterior motive behind his kindness.
“Hi, Geno.” She gives him a forced smile that everyone misses except for me.
“Come have a seat, Luciana.” She sits next to me and gasps when I pull her chair close, resting my hand around her waist.
She’s polite, answering all the questions Geno has for her regarding the wedding, personal questions, and sneaking in the occasional question about Aldo and Stella. He mentioned earlier that he’s still concerned that Aldo will be able to find his way into the house and history will repeat itself. I remind myself to add security for the rest of this week, especially outside, and make sure to keep an eye on where Luci is at all times.
Throughout our lunch and as we finish I notice how Luci’s mood continues to decline. Now the real question here is, why? It can’t only be Geno’s presence. “Luci, let’s go for a walk through the garden and we can finish talking about a setup for the wedding.” She nods her head while getting up to follow me. I go to grab her hand and she sneaks it away from me, locking her hands behind her back as we walk. The second we get into the garden, I turn her, quick enough to surprise her as she yelps.
“What’s up with the mood change?” I say, a lot harsher than I intended for it to come out.
“What? Nothing. I-I guess I’m just tired.” Christ, she’s such a bad liar.
“You know as much as I do that you’re a terrible liar. Tell me the truth.” I back her up against some chrysanthemums, planted specifically for the wedding.
Without warning she breaks out in tears. I step back, giving her space to squat and cry into her hands.
“I’m overwhelmed. I’m supposed to marry a man I love who loves me back and apparently, that has to be you.” She says between broken sobs.
“Who said I love you?” I’ve never told her those words while she’s been awake.
“It was Marco. Don’t kill him though. I know it’s not true. You’re marrying me because you have to.” If she truly still believes that, then I haven’t done my job. I should express mytrue feelings for her, but instead, I blurt out something that doesn’t help my case.
“Luci, I’ll be good to you. I’ll be faithful to you. I won’t hurt you. I’ll be a good husband.” She nods, understanding I’ll do what I have to do because of the contract, not because I want to, even though I do. “Now come here.”
A pink flush crosses her face and chest. “What if someone walks out here?”
