Chapter 21
Luci
21 Days Until The Wedding
I try 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.”
Mamma is the first one to follow me over, her voice shaking as she speaks. “Mamma? Papa? Do you know these people? What are they talking about? Luci’s payment. Payment for what?”
Geno vaguely answers for them, giving them a chance to explain the rest. “I’m sure Aldo and Stella can explain.”
Everyone comes over, Nonna sitting as far away from Geno as possible before Nonno tells their story. “Stella’s parents owed Geno’s family a lot of money, money they didn’t have. A marriage was arranged between Geno and Stella for payment, and I was her bodyguard. I knew from the moment I was assigned to Stella that I wouldn’t let Geno marry her. The night before their wedding, I snuck Stella away, and we were on the first route to America. We decided before Caterina was born, less than a year later, that we would never speak of what happened to keep our family safe.”
“It has been decades since my parents married. The people who signed the contract are dead.” Mamma turns to me looking for legal answers. “Can you find some loophole in this contract?”
Geno cuts in before I can answer. “No, actually she can’t. My family made sure of it.”
“Mamma, Geno’s right. After Nonna and Nonno ran off and Geno married someone else, they updated the contract. It now states that a descendant of Stella Miani will marry a descendant of Geno Leone to continue the Leone legacy. Regardless of my last name, I am a descendant of Stella Miani, meaning I inherited this debt the moment I was born.” Mamma is speechless while tears pour down Nonna’s face. No words come out when Nonna tries to apologize. I’ve never seen my family this heartbroken and part of me subconsciously thinks that all of this could have been avoided if I hadn’t stepped foot into that bar. On the other hand, I know if Alessandro truly wanted to find me, he would have.
“Let’s put all this business aside and enjoy a good meal, conversation, and talk wedding plans.” Alessandro takes my left hand, kissing the ring while his eyes connect deep into mine then at Nonno. A possessive movement, reminding me who I belong to. What my fate is.
Lunch is uncomfortably quiet and my family refuses to eat what’s served to them, worried that it may hold something to harm them.
Nonna is the first one to break the silence, speaking directly to Geno. “Geno, I’m sorry I had to leave that way. I couldn’t marry you. I—”
She’s cut off by Nonno. “Stella. Don’t say another word.” I rarely see Nonno like this. Yes, he’s a passionate man and protective of her, but I’ve never known him to be aggressive as he speaks. I’m seeing the parts of him that he was conditioned to be.
Geno sets down his silverware, a hum escaping his mouth as he turns to Nonno and Nonna. “Aldo, let Stella speak. I would have never interrupted her. I would have treated you as a queen! That wasn’t good enough for you. You needed love, and you got a mediocre life.”
That’s what makes Nonna crack. My head instantly snaps in her direction when she unexpectedly yells, a contrast to the gentle woman she normally is. “I have never had mediocre with Aldo! He gave me love, emotional and faithful stability, and an amazing daughter. Things mean nothing to me and all you would have given me are things.”
Mamma has been quieter than any of them, refusing to make eye contact with anyone. Eventually, she speaks, cutting everyone off. “I’ll marry anyone I need to. Let Luci go home with my parents.”
Geno nods in response. “That’s very admirable of you, Caterina, and I respect that. As the contract states, we need someone to carry on the Leone legacy. And while you’re not old by any means, you are past your time to give Alessandro children. When I was your age, Alessandro was a school-age boy and, if I’m correct, Luciana was entering grade school when Aldo and Stella were your age.”
She chews on her lip for a moment before answering. “Does it matter who he gets children from? I’ll promise to look the other way and raise whatever children I need to. I will sign the paperwork right now.”
Geno stands, looking Mamma directly in the eye with a deadly stare. “How dare you suggest Alessandro be unfaithful to his wife! I raised him better. No bastards will inherit my legacy. That would be an embarrassment to my family.” Geno adjusts the cuffs on his jacket before sitting back down, flipping his switch back to calm. “Now. Alessandro, would you care to explain the details?”
“Happy to. In three weeks’ time, we will have a wedding here—sooner if you three want to complicate things—but I want to give Luci the wedding she deserves. It’s the least I can do. You three are, of course, invited. I would never have my Luci go without her family on our wedding day.” Nonno’s jaw tightens and he balls his fists when Alessandro says that I’m his. “We will have a religious ceremony to make sure that we are married by law, and in the eyes of God. I hope you three are in attendance.”
Nonno stands, his chair scratching on the floor and walks out, yelling to Nonna and Mamma on his way out. “I’m waiting in the car.”
“I think it’s best if you leave.” My words are quiet and I’m not sure anyone hears them until Mamma’s sorrowful eyes find mine.
“If that’s what you want, my Luci Girl. This has been a lot for all of us. I think we all could use some space to process everything and come back with fewer emotions.” Mamma comes over to hug me, kissing my cheek before her tears can fall, leaving Nonna and me with Alessandro and Geno.
Nonna comes up and hugs me, turning us so her back is facing against Alessandro and Geno. “I will make sure to get you out of here before the wedding. You will not be marrying into this family. I promise you that. Si?”
“Si, Nonna. I will try to call you.” Nonna grabs my face in her hands, looking at me like it may be the last time she sees me.
Alessandro and I walk Nonna out and watch as she gets in the car. He holds me possessively, waving to them as my family disappears down the driveway.
“I think that lunch went well. Some yelling, of course, but no bodies to hide. I find that a success. Alessandro put Luciana wherever you need her and let’s get some work done while I’m here.” Geno’s footsteps dissipate into Alessandro’s office as he drags me upstairs back into the locked bedroom. Into my cage. Into my future.
He makes sure the door doesn’t lock as he guides me into the bedroom. “You behave for the rest of the day and you can sleep in our bed tonight.”
“I’d rather chew on sand than sleep close to you,” I say to him behind clenched teeth.
“Interesting. You didn’t say that last time you did. You begged for my touch, for my body between your legs, my cock inside of you.” Alessandro is close enough I feel the heat of his body against mine and the smell of his spicy cologne as heat fills in my core. I hate my body’s reaction to his presence.
He eyes me like he can hear my inner thoughts. “I need to get some things done with Geno. I’ll be back later to see if you’re more agreeable.”
I storm into the bathroom, slamming the new door before Alessandro can follow me in. I stay there until I hear the door to the bedroom lock, leaving me alone again.