Page 17 of A Debt to Pay

“I’m sorry Mr. Esposito, I’m not comfortable with any of this. You don’t understand the situation. I won’t be needing this ring. If Alessandro is insistent on picking one out, the smaller ring would be better. It’ll be less money to lose later.”

“Alessandro and Marco are good clients and since he’s the boss what he says, goes. Don’t feel strange about wearing it. I may be partial since I made this ring, but I think it’s exquisite.It’ll fit you well.” He hands the ring and box to me as he leaves the house, ultimately leaving me alone. Soon that loneliness twists to anger as I fathom the audacity that is Alessandro. I barge through the house with Enzo close by until he grabs me by the arm when he realizes where I’m headed. His hold on me is loose enough that he’s trying not to hurt me, but firm enough that he holds me exactly where he wants me.

“Luci I cannot let you bother Alessandro when he’s working.”

“I don’t care now let me go.” I rip my arm out of his hold, barging into Alessandro’s office. Alessandro’s face twists with shock and anger as I run up, swiping random things off his desk.

“What the fuck, Alessandro! It baffles me how far people will go to kiss your ass. Since when has it ever been appropriate to excuse kidnapping? I don’t get any of this.” At some point, I started pacing around the room in an attempt to not slap Alessandro during my rant of uncharacteristic cursing. Until now, I guess. “Oh, by the way here’s your stupid ring that I won’t be wearing.” I slam the box with the ring inside on his desk as his hand bolts out, holding my arm still.

“What is that?” He’s still holding my wrist, staring at the reddened mark on my arm, a bruise already forming. I guess Enzo gripped me tighter than I thought.

“No! You are not changing the subject.” I pull against his hold when he stands, putting more strength into keeping me still.

“Tell me who the fuck left that mark on you.” Anger radiates off him in a way I’ve never seen.

“Enzo didn’t want me to interrupt you, it’s not a big deal. That’s not what we’re talking about!” I’m convinced this moodiness is naturally part of Alessandro.

“Enzo! Get the fuck in here!” I’ve never heard him this loud and angry before. Well, I’ve only known him for four days, but whatever. The strength of his voice makes my heart beat faster and my body shake.

“I’m sorry boss. I tried to stop Luci.” He must understand the severity of Alessandro’s anger toward him.

“Why do I have you here, Enzo? Marco said you would be good so I let him bring you here instead of leaving you with Geno. Since I’ve assigned you to Luci, you’ve let her escape her bedroom, almost leave the house, and now you left a mark on her. I should shoot you right here on my floor.” Panic floods both Enzo and me at Alessandro’s threat when he throws a gun on the desk pointed directly at Enzo. “But I’d like to think I’m a reasonable man sometimes. I’ll let Luci decide what I should do with you.”

I switch my glance back and forth between Alessandro and Enzo, frozen with what he said. “I don’t want to be in charge of this. I’m not choosing anything.”

Enzo and I both startle as Alessandro slams his hands on the desk screaming. “Choose!”

“I don’t want to.” I’m overwhelmed, not wanting Enzo to be hurt, but not wanting whatever wrath Alessandro has in place for me, so per usual, I cry instead.

Alessandro leans over his desk and stares right into my eyes. He’s now holding the gun, finger on the trigger pointing it directly at Enzo. “Choose now or I’ll choose for you.” His eyes turn to Enzo as he continues. “I do have to say, I won’t enjoy calling Geno to tell him the unfortunate news. Thank God you don’t have any family. One less thing.”

“Wait! No, no, no. I’ll pick.” Alessandro sets down the gun facing it at the wall and away from the three of us in the room. I’m now caught in the middle of both of their eyes as they wait for me to decide. “Uh. Enzo will have to . . . ” I’m drawing a blank as I attempt to think of a mild punishment for Enzo. After what might as well be hours, I think of the one time I got in real trouble and the punishment my family gave me. This is a juvenile choice, but it’s better than being shot. “Enzo, you willgo to bed without dinner.” He exhales, mouthing athank youat what would be considered a nice punishment in their world.

“You heard the verdict. No dinner tonight, Enzo. Whatever Marco does with you is up to him. I hope that he’s feeling generous today. Now leave.”

Chapter 16

Alessandro

25 Days Until The Wedding

We stare at each other in silence after Enzo left the room with a quiet click of the door. The box holding Luci’s ring catches my attention. “You’re wearing that ring.”

“No, I’m not! You wasted a lot of money on something that will never be worn. I didn’t come in here to have a conversation. I came in here to tell you off. You think because you have money the world revolves around you. Guess what genius, it doesn’t. You can threaten me and my family all you want. I’m not wearing a ring for a man whom I do not love. Now have the day you deserve.” Chin up, she stomps out of my office.

Geno’s words echo in my head.You need to make sure she falls for you. Charm her, seduce her, whatever you need to do.The lunch is in a few days and I need to have her compliant in other places than my bedroom. If only she weren’t being difficult. There are two ways to get that to happen. I can be nice to her or bring my threats to life. The latter is the easiest option, but I would prefer to see everyone’s reaction at lunch. I scan through the cameras on my property as I take a deep calming breath and find Luci in the garden and head her way.

When I walk into the garden, I find Luci sitting on the bench muttering to herself.

“Have dinner with me tonight.”

She gasps at my sudden words, caught off guard by my presence. “Seriously? No. Now go away.”

Charm her, seduce her, whatever you need to do.

“Please, Luci? I want to have dinner with you. I want to get to know my fiancé. We can have it here in the garden, or anywhere on the property. If it gets cold, we have outdoor heaters. What do you say?” I’ve made my way to her, getting down on my knees between hers and lifting one of her legs over my shoulder. I smell her sweet scent through her jeans with a hint of fresh orange blossom and jasmine in her perfume as I kiss her inner thigh. “I’m on my knees for you. Have dinner with me.” Her legs tense up as I kiss higher on her thigh.

When I lift my eyes, she’s shamefully lusting down at me, begging for my mouth to go higher. “More.” Said so quietly I could have missed it if I weren’t reading her perfect pouty lips.