Chapter 35
Luci
7 Days Until The Wedding
A lessandro disappears into his office after spending a perfect morning with me, our time together ending with us making love in the shower. On my way downstairs I run into Andrea and El.
“Oh! I didn’t realize you two were still here.”
“Alessandro, Marco, and I got back here late, and you two were giggling in the kitchen. Alessandro offered the guest room to El and I. He forgot to mention that the rule about no loud fucking didn’t apply to you and Alessandro. At least according to all the ruckus this morning.” El bursts out laughing when I blush in embarrassment.
“Were we that loud?” We couldn’t have been that loud.
“Oh honey, this is your home you can do whatever you want.” Linking her arm in mine she leads me away from Andrea whispering her words. Well, whatever whispering is for El. “Did you do what I told you?” My sheepish grin instantly gives El the answer she’s hoping for. “That’s my girl.”
“Do you realize you’re not that quiet, mon trésor?” Andrea calls from behind us, wrapping his arms around El. “What did you tell her to do? I told Alessandro you wouldn’t be a bad influence on Luci.”
El tilts her neck to the side as Andrea kisses his way up her shoulder to her neck and behind her ear. “Andrea, you heard Alessandro just as much as I did. Regardless of the ‘bad influence’ I am on her I don’t think he cares.”
“Okay, I think I’m going to walk away before you two have sex in the hallway because I’m pretty sure you two wouldn’t care that I’m here.” I could never have that amount of guts.
El turns around to Andrea speaking in his direction, but obviously talking to me. “Andrea is half French and I’m an exhibitionist, it’s part of it.”
“Keep it down then I guess. Or whatever Alessandro told you.” Both of them give me a wave as I walk, more like run away.
Marco is sitting in the kitchen when I walk in, computer open, with a different expression than he normally has. He’s distraught and distracted from what work he was doing. I catch a glance at a live stream of Andrea and El from the hallway I left them in. His face mirrors mine from mere weeks ago when I first came here. He finally notices me when I sit next to him.
“Alessandro is working.”
“I know. What are you doing?”
He answers while his expression changes from sad to annoyed. “Working.”
“You do security, right? What does that normally include?”
“What do you want, Luci?”
Even though I know his anger isn’t fueled by anything I’ve done my heart races like I’m the one who upset him. “You’re Alessandro’s best friend. I want to get to know you. Also, you seem upset.”
He lets out a groan from deep in his chest, slamming his laptop closed and I jump at the loud sound. “I’m fine. Now what do you want to know?”
Maybe I should have left him alone. I guess there’s no turning back now. “Anything. How did you and Alessandro meet? How long have you two been friends? How does he act with you and his other friends when he’s not the boss?”
Marco tilts his head back, sighing before he whispers. “Stai mettendo alla prova la mia pazienza.” I can only assume he’s talking to God. He rubs his hands up his face and through his hair before beginning. “My papa worked for Geno and would take me to work since my mamma ran off and we had no babysitter. Alessandro and I became instant friends. That’s a lie. Alessandro took one look at me, punched me, and ran off.”
I gasp at his answer. “Why?”
A laugh escapes Marco’s mouth. “He said I had a punchable face. His words, not mine. Anyway, after we had a good fist fight Geno and my papa sat us down, telling us we either had to become best friends or they’d whip us. You can imagine we chose the first option. My papa died when I was a teenager and I moved in with Geno and Alessandro after that. Geno became a father figure to me. Technology always came naturally and when it was time for Alessandro to come to America it only made sense for me to come with him. To answer your last question, he’s earnest and can be ruthless about work, but is pretty open and relaxed when he and I hang out. Until you came along.” My lips part and my brows furrow, unsure how to take his words when he gives me a knowing stare. “From the moment we put you in that car he’s been obsessed. I’ve never seen him act this way with anyone or anything, including his family or business. You bring out a different side of him. I can’t tell you how many times he’s threatened to beat me or shoot me if I touched you or spoke poorly of you. That part might be my fault. It’s fun to push his buttons. Regardless, Alessandro is in love with you.”
A tear threatens to escape as I shake my head. “No. I’m a collection, his fiancé, but I will never be his love. He made that clear the first night I was here. He’s not the type of man who would believe in love at first sight.”
“He doesn’t believe in love at first sight. It still happened to him. I’ve known Alessandro for over half my life. You’re different. Different from any girlfriend, different from any fuck, different from even Geno and I. If you saw the look he gives you when you’re not paying attention you’d understand. Trust me.” Marco picks up his laptop, leaving me alone with my thoughts. Alessandro loves me? No, it’s not possible.
The rest of the day goes by in a blur as I think of the idea of Alessandro loving me. No doubt my feelings toward him have evolved in the last couple of weeks, but a man as hard as Alessandro doesn’t change. I’m his fiancé, payment for a debt, someone he enjoys in bed. In no world will I ever be his love.