Chapter 14
I woke up the next day refreshed and feeling alive. The office will be buzzing today, with everyone in to greet Aria. Walking into my office, I find a pile of paperwork I need to get through. Before I could even sit, Emilio was at my door.
“Aria should be here soon. Luca wants to see you in his office.”
“Okay,” I nod my head.
“Heads up, I told him you didn’t return his calls because you found out about the engagement.”
“Did he ask how?”
“He already knew that you knew.”
Emilio walked off—not looking twice in my direction. He was good at this. Grabbing a notebook and pen, I go to my brother’s office.
“Why did I need to send Emilio to you yesterday?” was his first question.
“You could have come yourself to tell me how you are marrying me off to a stranger.”
“Emilio said he talked some sense into you.” Luca leaned back on his chair. “Is that true?”
“Yes,” I admitted. “He reminded me that I still had a voice even when told what to do.”
“Hm. Maybe I should send him more often.”
“Wait, how did you know that I knew?”
“Alfie came clean and told me what happened. How you made a deal in which you then threw in his face and threatened to use it against him.”
“He did?” I was surprised.
“You keep up with kind of reputation, and no one will trust you to hold your word.”
“I know. I let my emotions get the best of me.”
Luca sat back in his chair. “This marriage is for the best, B, I promise.”
“Not exactly sure how.”
“Lucky for you, Emilio made a good point last night. So everything is placed on hold for now.”
A burst of relief made me smile, “I should thank him.” I got to my feet.
“Hold off on that. Alfie is already on thin ice with him. He wasn’t thrilled that Alfie had blurted out the information confidentially. In the meantime, you go make amends with Alfie.”
I place my hand on my hip, “Why do you entertain him?”
Luca shrugged, “I like the kid. He has potential.”
“But Emilio doesn’t seem to agree.”
“Emilio isn’t the one in charge.”
Changing the subject, “What was your voicemail about?” I questioned.
“There was a large delivery of flowers sent to the penthouse to Aria from Nate Reilly.”
“Okay?” I questioned, not understanding the issue.
“I called to see if you knew anything about him.”
Luca appeared off today. What was going on with him?
“I know he is Aria’s business partner. They are equal owners of the company. Molly didn’t say much about the guy. But I guess if he’s sending her flowers, they might be more than that.”
This seemed to irritate my brother. “Find out what you can.”
“Why does it matter?”
“I want to know who has any idea of the hotel's location and that Aria is staying there.”
It was an odd response, but I let it go.
The day went well, considering everyone was on edge.
Aria didn’t seem phased at all being around here, which made me think either she was stupid, which it’s clear she isn’t, or she is just as good at bluffing as my brother, which seems to be the more likely option.
I did as Luca wanted, being nice and trying to befriend her, but she wasn’t easy to break.
And as I promised Emilio, we barely spoke unless we needed to.
Without flirting or giving any sign, it would never seem like something was going on between us.
On the other hand, Alfie made it impossible not to miss that he and the redhead had something going. He would wink at her throughout the day, and she would giggle anytime he passed. Was that normal behavior for people who work together in the same setting?
I needed to speak to Alfie and clear things up with him. If he confessed to Luca about what he did, he took his role seriously and didn’t want anything held over his head. I should start respecting his life choices.
“Hey,” I said as the end of the day approached, and he walked by. “Want to grab drinks after we get out?”
“No,” Alfie replied simply and continued walking.
Stunned and insulted, I walk after him. When I catch up to him, I ask, “You’re still mad?”
I did my best not to roll my eyes. Luca knew what had happened, so why couldn’t he get over it?
“No.”
I huffed. “Then why are you acting like this?”
“Like what, Bethany?”
“Oh, so I’m Bethany now?”
“That’s your name, isn’t it?”
Getting fed up, I pick up my pace and cut him off by standing before him. “What is your deal, Alfie? Should I call you Alfred now since you want to get all formal on me?”
“Do what you want.”
He tried to walk around me, but I cut him off again.
“Hey, look. I’m sorry. I was upset and wanted to speak to my brother.”
“That’s the thing, Bethany, you get upset and act out. Even with a meeting going on, you still insisted on seeing Luca. You act like a brat whenever you don’t get your way.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me, Bethany.” Stepping to the side, he manages to get around me this time.
Turning in his direction, “So you’re just going to be mad at me forever?”
Alfie stopped, turned around, and walked toward me again. He must have gotten taller, or maybe he just stood taller, but there was something different about him.
“No, Bethany. I’m not mad.” Alfie put a hand in his pocket while the other pointed to me.
“I should thank you. I talked with Luca after I confessed what I did. He was upset, but then we discussed what kind of man I wanted to be and how my actions would reflect that. Luca gave me some good insight. So I owe it to you.”
“Okay, so my brother gave you a pass and gave you good advice. It all worked out for the best. And like you said, you have me to thank.”
Alfie smiled and nodded his head. “That doesn’t mean you get a pass.”
“I want to make things right.”
“Then you’re going to have to prove your worth of that opportunity.”
“Pretty ballsy coming from someone your rank.”
Alfie smirked, “Didn’t Luca tell you to play nice?”
Taken back by his response, his message was very clear. Alfie was going to use Luca against me. Since Luca took a liking to him, Alfie knew he could vent to Luca about me so I would get scolded.
“You’re playing with fire,” I hit back.
“I am the fire.”
I watch Alfie walk away. He made it clear what kind of man he was looking to be. He may not have DeCarlo blood running through his veins, but he was sure to start acting like it.