Page 12 of Doll's Eye

“We kind of went back and forth discussing our union.”

“And…?”

The scent of the chemicals from the indoor pool fills my senses as I reflect on my time spent with Massimo last night. When I got home, I went straight up to my room to take time to myself. He muddled my brain and made me feel things I was not expecting to feel. Not for Massimo De Luca. He’s supposed to be cold and calloused, yet he made me feel warm and tingly.

Knowing my exuberantly persistent cousin won’t let it go until I give her what she wants, I give her some minor details about last night. Enough to keep her satisfied.

“Oh, shit. You’re supposed to move in there in a month? When’s the wedding?” She turns on her side.

“Still haven’t even started planning that, but you know how extravagant those things must be.” Not nearly enough time to prepare myself for Massimo mentally.

“And why does he want you to move in so soon?”

“To get to know each other better,” I say, using air quotes.

Her eyes are wide as she becomes stock-still. Most likely in shock. “Wow, okay. I don’t even know where to start. So, it seems like you agreed to all ofhisterms.”

This is why I didn’t want to give her thefulldetails. The gist alone makes me seem as if I were manipulated. “They weren’t so bad. He’s promising to let me be a part of his family’s business and teach me things. He’s actually looking at me more than just part of a transaction, Fia. He’s going to treat me like a real partner.” I get really serious about this next part. “He said he wants to make me his queen.”

Not a chess piece, but a player.

“And you believe him?”

“Why would he lie? I agreed to marry him before he said any of those things.”

Massimo may be menacing and capable of deceit, but I also see honor in him. Sure, he’ll manipulate when it suits him, but if heknows anything about me, he would know I won’t be taken with wool over my eyes.

“Then this may be better than you ever thought, right?”

“I really hope so,” I say quietly.

“What are you worried about then? Besides the obvious.”

I’m quiet as I contemplate, my eyes cast downwards. What am I so afraid of? I’ve been preparing for this for years, and I’ve never really been afraid of anything. I’ve been trained for the worst, and I’ll always have my family to fall back on and protect me.

“Wait. Alessia.” I look up at her. “Are you afraid of falling for him?”

Damn. How does she know me better than I know myself? I wasn’t even aware that I could actually fall for Massimo. He’s never really frightened me, so I was able to look past his savageness and see the sexual appeal he has to offer. But after last night’s one-on-one, it uncovered more layers to him, and that honestly worries me.

“What if I do fall for him, Fia?”

“God forbid you fall for your husband.” She rolls her eyes. “Why the hell would that be a bad thing?”

“You know there is no way out of this marriage other than death. What if I fall for him hard, and he never returns my feelings? I will spend the rest of my life in love with someone who isn’t in love with me.”

“I see what you’re saying.” She screws her lips to the side. “But hey. If that’s the case, at least he agreed to stay faithful to you, right? So, you wouldn’t have to worry about him fucking around on you.”

Only if he really is a man of his word. Tullio is one of the best men I know, and even he is capable of breaking his word. Massimo, I’m just getting to know, and although my instincts tell me I can trust him, with his word, it’s not for certain.

“I sure hope so.” I sigh. “There’s no point in worrying about the inevitable, though. Like I said, I'm stuck with whoever Massimo turns out to be.”

“Have I ever told you how thankful I am not to be important enough ever to be married off?” she teases, making me smile.

“Shut up,” I mutter and stare at the glass panels above us. “Oh, and we’re having an engagement party soon. We need to go dress shopping.”

“You know I’m always down.”

“Yeah, you are, you little slut.”