Page 19 of A Debt to Pay
“Yes. Anyway, we should get to know each other. Tell me what I can’t find from researching you. Tell me who I’m marrying.” The intensity in his eyes locks me in place similar to how they did the night we met. I can’t tell if it’s a game, or if he’s being genuine, but he’s looking at me like any woman would want a man to look at them.
“If you insist. I can’t guarantee you’ll be entertained. There’s nothing that special about me. I’m a born and raised Philadelphian, well, raised an hour outside of Philadelphia. I’m a Pisces, which—according to some girl I had a project with in high school—describes everything about me. I hate pineapple, am allergic to avocado, obsessed with caramel anything, movies, and Halloween, and I’m scared of geese.” Alessandro is in the middle of a sip of wine when he chokes, laughing at my last statement. “Don’t laugh at me, geese are scary! When I was a kid, one chased me in the park and now I’ll avoid them at all costs.”
Alessandro is still gathering himself when I turn the conversation to him. “Okay, meanie, it’s your turn.”
He manages to regain control before answering my question. “I don’t think I can top the geese thing, but I’ll try. I was raised by Geno after my mamma, Gia, passed due to a pre-existing heart condition, and my papa, Salvatore left. Geno and I assume he didn’t want to be in this life anymore. I’ve lived here for several years, expanding my family’s business with the plan to inherit Geno’s legacy. I’ve dedicated this garden and the library to my mamma, who loved her garden and reading to me when she was pregnant. At least that’s what I’ve heard. I don’t believe I’m allergic to anything and while I have no direct animal-related fears, I do think opossums are strange. I am an excellent dancer and collect wine and whiskey. Maybe I could show you sometime.” He reaches over, his hand grazing over mine, causing electricity to course through my body at his touch.“Last, I think I’m a Capricorn, even though I have no clue what that means.
“I think Capricorns and Pisces are supposed to be a good match.” Why did I say that? Okay, switch subjects. “Your mamma must have good taste. This garden is beautiful and I would love to see your library. Which part are you going to show me—the alcohol or dancing?”
He stands, reaching out the same hand that grazed over mine. “I’ll show you both, but first we’ll dance.” Other than dancing in the kitchen on Nonno’s feet, my experience is little to none. The elegant yet masculine way Alessandro leads me makes up for that. I notice that when our eyes lock, something is different. The hard expression on his face softens and instead of asking him about his intentions for tonight, I reach up and kiss him. That singular kiss causes something to bloom inside of me and my heart races.
We dance for the next few songs, only the music filling the garden before separating. He puts his hand in his pocket, pulling out the ring box I slammed on his desk earlier, and kneels on one knee before me. “Wear my ring. Show that you’re going to marry me.”
I’m conflicted, trying to decide whether I want to give into this sweet moment and put aside the hostility I’ve held toward him. Toward what he’s done to me. And most importantly, what he’s threatened to do. I treat this decision like I’ve treated most, giving up the fight to make my life easier as I please him with a singular word. “Okay.”
He slides the ring on my finger then pulls me in for a bruising kiss, standing and I wrap my legs around him as he walks us inside. We shower once upstairs, then spend all night awake in bed together. I’m not sure what’s changed, but this moment with him appears genuine, and marrying him doesn’t seem so torturous.
Chapter 18
Alessandro
22 Days Until The Wedding
Dinner the other night changed Luci and my relationship. Originally, it was meant to be a way for Luci to see me as her future husband instead of her captor. Since then, Luci has let herself relax around me, showing me what an amazing woman she is. I don’t miss the times she remembers the predicament she’s in and hesitates, wondering if it’s okay to enjoy herself.
Geno gets into town later today, but before that, I have a few plans for Luci. I’m finishing up arrangements for her when I hear footsteps coming my way. The way she walks is as distinct as everything about her—soft and with a steady rhythm.
She knocks twice on the door, walking over to sit in the chair across from me. My heart skips at how she’s glowing. She’swearing a basic white long-sleeve shirt with a short black skirt that curves around her luxurious hips. “You wanted to see me?”
“Yes, I did. Come here.” She stands, walking over to the other side of my desk. I pull her close to me. Her floral perfume wafts my way when she wraps her arms around my neck. “How did you sleep?”
She takes her nails through the back of my hair, gently scratching at my scalp. “Good, but you’re never there when I wake up.”
“I have work to do and it’s best to start my day early.” I take her left hand, laying a kiss on her ring. “Geno is coming into town later today and there’s a lot to get done. In the meantime, I have a surprise for you.”
Curiosity materializes on her face with the raise of her eyebrows. “El is coming over to have what she calls a girls’ day. She wouldn’t tell me what that entails, only to make sure there are plenty of mimosas and snacks. I got the bedroom you destroyed cleaned up for the two of you. While you’re doing that, I’ll make sure everything is ready for Geno and our lunch tomorrow.”
The mention of lunch with her family makes her bright expression flip, reminding her of why she’s here in the first place. “You know my family won’t react well to this. I know that’s your intention, but there’s no way there won’t be drama tomorrow, and it makes me nervous.”
I tilt her chin to face me as I kiss her. “Don’t worry about that. I’ll deal with it. In the meantime, enjoy today and put it out of your head. Si?” Luci nods her head, giving me a small smile, and my heart skips a beat. Fuck, she’s breathtaking. “El should be here soon. Go wait for her with Enzo and I will see you later.” Her orange blossom and jasmine scent lingers even after she leaves the room just in time to hear El’s signature voice enter the house.
El and Luci have turned her old bedroom into a place to have girls’ day. The live feed shows that it includes drinking, nails, and El getting overly curious about our sex life, while surprisingly avoiding questions about her own because ‘today isn’t about her.’
Suddenly, my phone rings, notifying me that Geno has landed. “Mio nipote, be ready for me in thirty minutes and make sure your men know. I’ll be extremely disappointed if we have a repeat of last time.” I’m reminded of when he was in town last and we needed to clean up a body. A new security member refused to let him on the property when he arrived and I wasn’t home. If he had let Domenico pick him up instead of insisting on driving himself, that wouldn’t have happened.
Thirty minutes later, Geno walks through the front door, talking business on the phone before he yells for me. “Alessandro! Where are you, boy?” He appears in the doorway of my office, smiling and sitting himself down across from me. “Being engaged agrees with you, or shall I say, having a woman in your bed agrees with you. How is Luciana? I remember Stella being a little too agreeable, suspiciously so, and with reason. The apple and the tree metaphor, you know?”
“Luci is fine. She’s upstairs with her stylist having a girls’ day before tomorrow.” A small smile crosses my face, thinking of how Luci looked through the camera with El.
Geno studies me, always knowing what I’m feeling even before I know. “You’re falling for her. Remember what’s at stake here, Alessandro. You can’t get soft.”
“I know what’s at stake. I’ve done exactly what you’ve asked of me and I will continue that tomorrow. Aldo is suspicious that Luci never mentioned a boy. I’m expecting a fight once they realize what’s happening, but everything is planned to keep her here. It won’t be a problem.”
Later, Geno, Marco, and I are sitting in the living room, drinks in hand when El and Luci come downstairs. El almost stumbles over herself when she notices Marco, purposefully avoiding eye contact with him before saying her goodbyes and leaves. I give Marco a suspicious glance as he gives me a subtle shake of his head. Before I can dig deeper into it, Geno interrupts my thoughts, introducing himself to Luci.
“Luciana, bella ragazza, it’s wonderful to meet you. I can tell you’re Stella’s granddaughter. I’m eager to see her tomorrow.” She’s uncomfortable as Geno stands to kiss both cheeks and I can sense that things are going to change and that fight is going to come back.
Geno’s right. I can’t go soft on her. I have to collect on this debt.