Chapter 8 Ayanna #2
He grabbed me by the hand and led me out of the room and through the expansive hallways of his home.
I chose not to comment on his last statement, because it further made clear he’d been planning for a future, when I hadn’t even known about it.
Instead, I let him guide me, enjoying the warmth of his hand around mine.
Was it odd that we walked hand in-hand through the house.
? Maybe. Did I want to pull away... that was where things got confusing for me. Because I didn’t.
Over the next thirty minutes, he led me from wing to wing, highlighting each room’s unique features.
There was an indoor pool tucked behind floor-to-ceiling glass panels, with soft, neutral lighting.
Chlorine filled the air, and the gentle sound of water lapped against the sides of the pool.
Then we moved on to a home theater, a private library, and finally a game room.
The game room was about the only room that felt customized for the man of the house.
A sleek pool table dominated the center of the space, while a dartboard and poker table occupied the opposite corner.
There was even a small bar, stocked with expensive bottles of liquor, tucked away in the back room.
Teo leaned casually against the bar, watching me as I took in the room. “What do you think?” he asked.
“It’s nice.” I looked around the room, still taking in the amenities. “This room feels more like you than the rest of the house, though.”
He smiled, clearly not offended. “It’s the only room I had any input in,” he shrugged. “The rest of the house is waiting for you.”
My brows furrowed. “For me?”
He smirked. “For your touch,” he clarified, stepping closer, and I shifted my gaze away. “For you to make it truly feel like home,” he added softly. “For you to leave pieces of yourself.” his heated gaze moved across the length of my body, “Everywhere.”
“Teo...” I started, unsure of how to respond.
His name came out breathless, even to my own ears.
Now he was crowding my space, and I swear I could feel my heart pounding out of my chest. I swallowed hard, trying to keep my composure, but the weight of his gaze was too heavy.
He reached up, brushing a lone finger down my face.
“Teo...” I whispered again, his lips hovering dangerously close to mine.
This time his name was a silent plea. I knew I couldn’t handle what would come next.
A kiss from him would change everything.
The carefully kept distance, the delicate balance I’d fought to maintain — it would all shatter.
I’d lose the thin veil of control I clung to, and he’d see me for what I truly was: his.
“Say it again,” he urged softly. “I love the way my name sounds falling from your lips.”
I didn’t... I couldn’t.
But it didn’t matter because his lips covered mine.
Softly at first, but purposefully. There was a demand in his kiss, one that left no room for resistance.
I felt myself melting into him, and my resolve crumbling with every swipe of his tongue, and caress of his hands.
This wasn’t our first kiss. It had been three years since I felt him in that way.
But this was different. There was a maturity and depth to his touch that hadn’t been there before.
He was no longer the boy I once knew, but a man who understood what he wanted and would do whatever it took to claim.
I felt his hand sliding down my back and settling comfortably on my ass. The groan that escaped me was involuntary. My body naturally clung to him, my fingers tugged at the hem of his shirt.
“Well, it pleases me to see you two are getting along so well.” The low rasp of Teo’s father startled me back to reality. Where I should stay, instead of getting caught up in the possibility of becoming Ayanna Donatelli.
My cheeks burned as I instinctively tried to spin out of Teo’s arms, but his grip never loosened. In fact, he pulled me closer, never missing a beat.
“Rosa let you in, I’m guessing?” he asked his father.
Marco’s lips curled into a faint smirk. “She did. I wanted to check in, see how things were progressing.” His sharp gaze flickered between the two of us.
“Things are progressing just fine,” he replied smoothly. “We were in the middle of something.”
Marco raised a brow, his amusement barely mistaken. “Clearly.”
Switching effortlessly to Italian, Teo spoke with authority. “Possiamo avere un momento, per favore?”
“Certamente, figlio mio,” Marco replied smoothly. He glanced at me briefly, his expression unreadable. “Vi aspetto nello studio.”
“Grazie.” Teo didn’t spare his father another look as he turned back to me, his arm still firmly around my waist.
When Marco left the room, Teo’s gaze softened. “I’m sorry about that.”
I could only shake my head. “It’s okay. Probably for the best anyway.” Any second longer and I may have let this man ravish me. I swallowed hard before saying, “I’ll let you, umm, speak to your father.”
I tried to gently pull away, but he stopped me, stealing yet another kiss. “Nah, we have to see him together,” he insisted, his voice firm yet tender. “This involves both of us, he’s waiting for us in the study.”
With that, he guided me toward the study, and I wondered what all his father could want.
from us. Much like my own father, Don Marco was a force, and not a man of many compromises.
If he was here, it was of importance. I wasn’t sure if I could handle many more surprises, but I kept an open mind.
Especially since this was going to be my life.
Once we entered the study, his father was already seated in one of the leather chairs, with one leg crossed over his knee. Teo’s desk chair was empty, as was the couch that sat in the corner of the room. Silently, I hurried toward the empty space on the couch, and Teo took a seat next to me.
Marco wasted no time once we all settled in. “You’ll marry in one month.” There was no hesitation, buildup, or dramatic pause in his statement. Only certainty. He looked at me for a reaction. Probably was expecting a reaction, but I had none.
When I didn’t say anything his father’s gaze shifted toward his son. “And your reign as the head of this family will begin.”
“Understood.” Teo’s head nodded.
I sat back, wrapping my head around the fact the wedding was happening sooner rather than later.
Marco’s piercing gaze turned to me, his tone softening just slightly.
“This is a merging of families, power, responsibility, and trust. You’ll be stepping into a role that carries weight—not just as my son’s wife, but as his partner in this life.
” His voice was calm, but there was no mistaking the steel beneath it
I swallowed hard, but my gaze met his directly. I might not have come from a mafia family, but my bloodline was just as ruthless. I picked up a few things along the way. Like never cower in the face of power and always maintain my composure. “I am aware of my duty.” My tone was sharp.
“Do you?” Marco leaned forward, his pointed eyes pinning me in place.
“Because this is not for the weak. This is a life of loyalty, trust, and sacrifice. You’ll be expected to show unwavering support for Teo and the family.
Your actions, decisions, and even your silence will carry immense significance in our world. ”
“She doesn’t need a lecture, Pop,” Teo interjected smoothly but with an edge, his arm draping protectively across the back of the couch.
“Teo,” Marco warned, his eyes narrowing slightly, “she needs to understand what’s at stake.”
“She understands.” The bite in his tone couldn’t be missed. The look he delivered his father, while respectful, was one of warning. Asking him to move on, which made Marco smirk.
“Let’s move on then. What’s going on with Roland and Orlando? Any new information on their activities?” Marco inquired, shifting the conversation to business matters. Teo’s calm demeanor shifted to something more sinister.
“Roland’s dead. Questioned him, got what I needed, then sent what was left of him to one of Orlando’s old associates. He’ll deliver the message and draw Orlando’s old ass out.” Teo shrugged as if he had just told his dad about a routine business transaction.
Marco nodded approvingly, showing no sign of surprise or remorse. “Good. You put Keem on him.”
“Nah, Sophia. Keem is in Atlanta handling something else for me. ”
That something else, was Constance, my employee who was shot.
Keem had been back in Georgia since we left a few days ago with strict instructions to make sure anyone involved with Constance’s shooting was dealt with appropriately.
“Sophia knows what to do. She’ll sit on his old crew until she gets me a lead on where the Moccasins are hiding.”
“So, Roland’s info was useful?”
“Useful enough. The Moccasins have made some powerful friends with deep pockets in the last year. Our marriage threatens the wrong people... the South and the North. Orlando and his wife are just one piece. Someone up here is bankrolling this shit, and I’m gonna find out who.”
Marco leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. “Do it quietly.”
Teo smirked. “Quietly isn’t really my style, Pop. But I’ll be smart about it.”
Marco’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Smart and quiet aren’t mutually exclusive, figlio mio.”
“I know.” Teo’s tone was respectful but firm. “I’ll handle it.”
Marco smiled slowly, understanding his son well. Teo would handle this situation how he saw fit, which Marco respected. It was written all over the way his father’s eyes softened, then gave a slight nod of approval.
“Sophia will keep the pressure on what little territory the Moccasins still have until we get a clear path to Orlando and Bianca. I’ll find the backer.” Teo spoke with finality and Marco grunted his agreement.
“Good, sounds like you have everything under control. I’ll leave the rest in your hands.” His gaze flickered to me briefly before rising from his seat. “And Ayanna... welcome to the family.”
I straightened my back, my chin lifting. “Thank you.”
Marco’s lips curved faintly, a glimmer of respect in his otherwise stony expression. With a nod to his son, he strode toward the door, pausing just before leaving the room.
“I’ll see you both at the ceremony,” he said, his voice carrying finality before he disappeared into the hall.
At that moment, the gravity of my new reality settled over me.
There was no turning back. I was either all in, or out entirely.
I exchanged a glance with Teo, whose heated gaze reinforced my resolve. There was no room for hesitation.
I would be Ayanna Donatelli.