Page 21 of A Debt to Pay
At 11:45 on the dot, I receive a notification that there’s a car at the gate. I’m impressed—Luci was right. The three of them get out of the old vehicle and I know this is my chance to make sure this goes perfectly. As Geno reminded me several times yesterday and this morning, a lot is riding on this lunch.
“Buongiorno. Aldo. Stella. Caterina. Welcome, welcome.” I take my time shaking their hands, welcoming them blindly into my home. “Come in, please. I’ll give you a tour while we wait for lunch.”
Like a true man, Aldo guides his wife and daughter in and starts the conversation. “Alessandro, is it? Why has Luci never mentioned you?”
“Fair question. As I’m sure you’re aware, Luci is a people pleaser. She’s been nervous about your reaction to ourrelationship, especially with how quickly it happened. I hope you understand.”
Caterina cuts in asking the next few questions. “Luci deserves someone who would take care of her. We’d like to think she has a good head on her shoulders. Alessandro, what is your last name? I don’t believe you’ve mentioned it.”
We walk into the garden as I answer her question. “You are right, Caterina, that was rude of me. My last name is Leone.”
“What?” Stella squeaks, Aldo subtly placing his hand on her arm to calm her. I do not miss their reactions, even though Caterina is too distracted by the beautiful garden Luci and I were in a few nights ago to notice herself.
Aldo takes the lead, I’m sure trying to gauge if I am who he thinks I am. “This is a fantastic property. What do you do for a living?”
There’s the magic question. “Grazie, Aldo. My mamma had a garden at her home and I’m in the process of trying to recreate it. To answer your question though, I work for my family, more specifically my nonno. Several years ago, when we saw potential in America for our business, it only made sense for me to move from Italy. He’s actually here today and will be joining us for lunch. Speaking of, I believe everything is ready.”
Aldo’s reaction is hard as he leads an anxious Stella into the house, while Caterina still has no idea what’s going on. I’m suspicious, wondering if Caterina knows about Aldo and Stella’s past.
Luci is waiting in the dining area when we walk in. She’s stunning in her knee-length purple dress and nude heels. Tears well up in her eyes when she sees her family, and all she can muster up is a small greeting. “Hi.”
Her family rushes over to her, Caterina hugging her first before Stella grabs her with regret and sympathy on her face until Aldo takes Stella’s place. I don’t miss his whispered wordsinto his granddaughter’s ear. “We have to get you out of here. You don’t understand who Alessandro is.” She responds with a sad shake of her head as Geno’s voice comes from the other room.
“Alessandro! Where are you?”
I yell over my shoulder, making direct eye contact with Aldo. “We’re in the dining room.”
Geno’s shoes sound like a ticking clock as we wait in silence. Stella grabs onto Aldo, who’s standing in front of his family, creating a shield between us. Geno appears in the room and it’s so quiet you could hear a pin drop until he speaks.
“Hello, Stella.”
Chapter 21
Luci
21 Days Until The Wedding
Itry to ignore the emotion in Nonna’s eyes when Nonno grabs me from her, embracing me as he whispers in my ear.
“We have to get you out of here. You don’t understand who Alessandro is.” I stand back and shake my head, about to answer him when Geno yells from the other room.
“Alessandro! Where are you?” We all turn in the direction of his voice, Nonno making eye contact with Alessandro while Nonna holds onto his arm and he stands in front of us.
The smirk that covers Alessandro’s face makes it obvious that Nonno knows what Alessandro is doing. “We’re in the dining room.”
All I hear is blood washing through my ears and Geno’s shoes as he walks into the room, breaking the silence with two evil-sounding words. “Hello, Stella.”
Nonna’s scream is the sound that breaks me out of my panicked hypnosis. Mamma turns to her, mouth open, and I realize she’s in the dark about their past like I was.
Nonno drags Nonna, Mamma, and me farther behind him, using his body to protect us. “You stay away from my family,” he hisses at Geno and turns to Alessandro next. “And you. You stay away from Luci. She’s mine to protect and you will not take her.”
Alessandro doesn’t get the chance to respond before Geno steps close to Nonno. “That’s funny. Stella was mine, and you betrayed my family by taking her. Technically, I should shoot you dead right here. My papa trusted you because of the men in your family. It’s actually why Luciana is here. As Stella’s nipotina and next of kin, she inherits debts and the Miani debt was never collected. Since my son is missing, Alessandro is the next in line to collect it and Luciana has become payment. Whether you approve of it or not, Luciana is marrying Alessandro and I’ll make sure of that.”
“She will never marry Alessandro. Luci let’s go, we’re leaving.” He grabs me, dragging me toward the door when Enzo steps in front of it.
“Sir, it is my job to make sure Luci is safe and kept here. I would hate to use force to do that, but I will if needed. I’m sure Alessandro and Geno would appreciate everyone having a seat.” By the time I turn around, Alessandro and Geno are holding guns to Nonno, a direct warning of what will happen if we don’t play nice.
Nonno lets go of his hold on my arm and I walk cautiously to the dining room table. I beg my family in a whisper to come to sit, knowing what’s at stake for them if they don’t. “Please.”