Chapter 15 #2
“Because when they’re angry, I have no freedom.
They want to know where I’ve been and who I’ve been with.
They’re cranky. Suspicious. You might have no life outside our brother, but I’ve been trying to live mine, and you made it so much harder.
I know you think my life is shallow. Shopping and horses, right?
” She laughs humorlessly. “I’ve worked so hard to make everyone think that I’m the sweetest, most well-behaved little Barone girl ever, so secretly, I can live my real life.
All I wanted was some time to myself before I had to do my duty.
A few more years to call my own before I marry someone of Mom and Dad’s choosing.
You ruined that, Lucy. You took my life away from me.
” She’s fighting tears, and her hands are clenched in her lap.
“I don’t understand. What life did I take away from you?”
“None of your business,” she says bitterly, glaring around at all the wedding dresses as though she hates each and every one of them even more than I do. “I don’t need or want you standing up to Mom for me. It’s too late. Don’t even talk to me from now on.”
“Fine,” I say under my breath. “Forget I said anything.”
“Easy. I never think about you anyway.”
Mom finally finishes her conversation and returns to us, her eyes bright with purpose. “Let’s go, girls. Lingerie next. There’s a boutique across the street.”
I’m getting to my feet, but I freeze. “More shopping?”
“You seem to think we have all the time in the world to plan this wedding, Lucy. We are on a strict deadline. Let’s go.”
Ariana follows obediently, and I trail after them. We’ve just started planning my wedding, and I’m already over it. And what does she mean, strict deadline? As far as I’m aware, we don’t have a venue booked yet.
Gerardo, our bodyguard, escorts us across the street to the lingerie boutique. He’s one of Dad’s most trusted capos, and he’s been with the family for fifteen years. Lately, I’ve been paying more attention to who Dad assigns to protect us.
The lingerie boutique is called Seraphina’s, and it’s all silk and lace and soft lighting.
As the style of Ariana’s gown hasn’t been decided on yet, she gets a reprieve from trying on lingerie.
Meanwhile, I’m kitted out with a full bridal set.
There’s nothing demure and well-bred about the lingerie.
The sheer corset, thong, and suspenders set is sexy as hell.
Thank heavens Mom doesn’t insist that I model them for her.
I stand before the mirror in the changing room, hating that Andreas is going to be the one who sees me wearing this lingerie.
Andreas is going to be the man who takes off my wedding gown after the reception, and his clumsy, pawing hands will touch my body.
Most of all, I hate that Andreas is going to be the man who takes my virginity.
My skin crawls just thinking about it. I hurriedly take off the lingerie and put my clothes back on.
When I emerge from the changing room, Mom is holding up a white silk negligee. “What about this for the wedding night?”
“It’s fine.”
“Fine?” She frowns. “Lucy, you need to show some enthusiasm.”
Before I can respond, the boutique door chimes. I glance over and my stomach drops.
Andreas.
He’s wearing one of his perfectly tailored suits, all charm and confidence as he spots us and crosses the boutique.
“There you are,” he says, smiling at me. “I was hoping I’d catch you.”
Mom beams. “Andreas! What a lovely surprise.”
No kidding it’s a surprise. How did he find us here? It’s like he’s been following us.
“I was in the neighborhood and couldn’t resist stopping by to see my beautiful bride.” He kisses my cheek, and I force myself not to pull away. “Wedding shopping?”
“Lingerie shopping,” Mom says with a conspiratorial smile. “For the wedding night.”
Andreas’s eyes light up in a way that makes me want to be sick. “How wonderful. I can’t wait.”
“Ariana,” Andreas greets my sister. Then his eyes find Gerardo, standing near the entrance. “And Gerardo. Good to see you again.”
Gerardo nods politely. “Mr. Montoni.”
“Actually, Gerardo, I’m glad you’re here.” Andreas approaches him, his manner casual and friendly.
Mom beckons me over to look at more negligees, but I keep one ear pricked to hear my fiancé’s conversation.
“I wanted to thank you personally for taking such good care of Lucy. I know Don Carlucci only assigns his best men to family protection.”
Here it comes. I can feel it. He’s going to do it again. Fish for information while pretending to make conversation.
“Just doing my job, sir,” Gerardo says.
“Of course, of course.” Andreas lowers his voice, but I’m close enough to hear. “I’ve been meaning to ask, with the wedding coming up soon, I want to make sure I understand the security protocols. As Lucy’s future husband, I need to know how to keep her safe.”
My heart starts pounding. Andreas is so confident to the point of being blatant.
Gerardo’s expression remains neutral. “You should discuss security arrangements with Don Carlucci, Mr. Montoni.”
“Absolutely, absolutely. But you’re the one who’s with her day-to-day. What kind of rotations are you running? How many bodyguards and enforcers do the Barones have?”
“Security protocols are confidential, sir.”
Andreas holds up his hands in a placating gesture. “I’m not asking for specifics. I just want to know if Barone security is being stretched too thin. Should I coordinate more closely with Don Carlucci’s security team?”
“That would be a conversation for you and Don Carlucci.”
“You’re right, you’re right.” Andreas nods, but he’s not done. He leans in closer, his voice dropping even lower. “Between you and me, I’ve noticed the warehouse schedules have changed recently. More frequent shipments, different routes. Is that because of the Sokolis?”
I see Gerardo’s jaw tighten, like he suspects what Andreas is doing. “Mr. Montoni, I don’t discuss business operations. If you have questions about warehouse schedules or shipment routes, you need to speak with Don Carlucci.”
“Of course. You’re absolutely right.” Andreas backs off. “I apologize if I overstepped. I’m just trying to be helpful. I’m going to be family soon, after all.”
“I understand, sir.”
But Gerardo’s tone suggests he understands something very different than what Andreas is implying. His eyes are hard, suspicious. He knows Andreas was seeking information.
Good. Let him be suspicious. I have the photos from the Sokoli meeting. I have his questions from the engagement dinner. And now Gerardo has seen him fish for information. The evidence is mounting.
At home, I carry the embossed paper carrier bag containing my bridal lingerie upstairs to my room.
Damiano appears in my doorway a moment later.
He’s wearing black pants and a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up and pushed past his elbows.
His dark eyes are stormy, his curls are falling into his eyes, and the viper tattoo on his arm hisses menacingly.
He looks so good that I want to throw myself into his arms and beg him to make me forget every horrible thing that’s happening to us.
He eyes the carrier bag curiously. “What’s that?”
I hesitate, not wanting to torment him even more than I already am, but Damiano’s not going to go away until I tell him something. “Lingerie.”
His gaze sharpens, and he strides into my room. “Bridal lingerie?” He takes the carrier bag from me and looks inside, transfixed by the sight. He swallows with effort and says huskily, “Lucy. You’ll look beautiful in these.”
If only it were Damiano I was marrying, and that it’s him who is going to see me wearing these lacy garments on my wedding night. I take the sheer corset out of the bag and hold it up to my body, craving a taste of how things might have been between us. “Do you think so?”
Damiano’s eyes rove over me, and I can tell he’s picturing me wearing nothing but the tempting white lace. “Lucy. I know so.”
“I think this lingerie will go to waste on my husband.”
“It will be a complete fucking waste on that idiot. He wouldn’t deserve you in a million years of trying.” Damiano reaches into the bag and pulls out the matching lace suspender belt. Lips parted, thumbing the fabric, he lets out a low, ragged, “Christ.”
My core clenches and aches. I’m burning with need for Damiano.
I’ve tried quitting him cold turkey, but I’m craving him more than ever.
My heart pounding, I move past him, close the door, and put my back against it.
“This set cost over a thousand dollars. Someone with taste should appreciate them. I could…put them on.”
Two unspoken words hang in the air.
For you.
I could put them on for you.
Damiano stares at me, and I watch as his chest rises and falls.
“I just thought you could tell me how the lingerie looks. Maybe it will look terrible, and I should return them.”
“It won’t look terrible, sis.”
I put my fingertips against his chest and gently propel him backward until he sits down on my bed. “Let’s find out. Close your eyes.”
After giving me a long, searching look, he does.
I strip slowly down to my underwear, pausing every so often to check that his eyes are still closed. I unclasp my bra, slip off my panties, and drop them beside him on the bed. “Don’t open your eyes. I’m completely naked right now.”
Damiano’s Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows, and his hands, which are resting on his thighs, tighten into fists.
His handsome face is tilted up to mine, his velvety black lashes resting on his cheeks.
He’s wound tight with the anticipation of seeing me in my bridal lingerie.
Throughout all the hideous days and nights to come with Andreas, I’ll have this memory of Damiano to cling to.
There are white stockings to go with the suspenders, and I put them on, slowly drawing them up my legs. I let the suspender straps snap against my thighs, and Damiano smothers a groan.