Chapter 19 Liana
LIANA
I’m taping up the last moving box of the day when my doorbell sounds, letting me know the men Massimo sent over are here.
Walking down the hall, I get to the door and open it, surprised at who I see on the other side.
“Liana,” Gio greets with a warm smile.
“Gio, hi,” I say, returning the smile.
“You haven’t had the chance to formally meet my little brother yet, have you? This is Guilherme.” He points to the man standing next to him.
“Little by less than two minutes, you asshole,” Guilherme says, then looks at me with a smile. “And you can call me Gui, little sis.”
“What did I say about calling her sis?” Gio says, a slight hint of humor in his tone. “You’re going to scare her off being a creep like that.”
A laugh bubbles from my lips, and I step to the side, gesturing for them to come in.
“Nah, I don’t think we have anything to worry about when it comes to this one, huh?” Gui says with a wink, walking past me.
“He has a point. If I was going to be scared off, it would’ve happened already.” I shut the door behind Gio. “Massimo didn’t tell me he was sending his brothers over to help me move.” I walk past them and lead them to the living room where I moved everything I plan on bringing to Massimo’s today.
“He had to send the best,” Gui says.
“Yeah, I’m not sure Massi would trust his fiancée with anyone else,” Gio says.
“Wow, I’m honored,” I say with the sweetest smile on my face, but I can’t fully mask the sarcasm.
Gui and Gio exchange a look, then laugh.
“You two have an interesting relationship, huh?” Gio says.
I raise a brow at him. “He hasn’t told you about it?”
“Nah, he mostly keeps to himself about his love life. To be honest, we were both surprised when he told us he had his eyes set on you when our dad told him he needed to find a wife,” Gui says.
“Yeah, well, you guys aren’t the only ones.”
“You two good?” Gio asks, raising a brow at me.
“Yeah, of course,” I say, trying to deflect my attitude. “This wedding just came on pretty suddenly, so I’m still wrapping my head around it.”
“Yeah, that tends to happen with arranged marriages, huh?” Gui says, giving me a playful nudge with his elbow. “So, is this it?” he asks, looking around at the dozen boxes I have piled on the floor.
“Yeah, I figured this will get me through until I move the rest of my stuff over to his place.”
“I hope you have some home decor in one of these boxes because Massi’s humble abode is nothing short of a bachelor’s pad. It’s nice, but there’s nothing there that makes it a home, I can tell you that much,” Gui says.
“I actually didn’t pack any decor. I figured whatever he has will work just fine.”
“I promise you it won’t,” Gui says with a laugh as he and his brother swiftly pick up two large boxes each.
“Here, let me grab something,” I say, rushing over.
“Oh, no, we can’t have you helping. Massi would never expect you to lift a finger,” Gio says.
Bending over to pick up two of the smaller boxes, I say, “Well, Massi isn’t the boss of me, so I’m going to help. Now, you guys lead the way. I’ll pack my car up if you guys want to pack yours.”
Gio narrows his gaze on me, and at first, I think I’ve made the wrong impression on them—not that it matters, I guess—but then he breaks out into a smile. “You’re going to keep him on his toes … I like it. Now I can see why he was so adamant about only taking you as his wife.”
I shake my head while he and Gui lead the way to the door. “I don’t think I’m exactly what he wants in a wife.”
“What makes you say that?” Gio asks, holding the door open for me and Gui.
“We’re very … different.”
“Different isn’t always bad.”
“We’re too different.”
Gio shuts the door. Following behind me and Gui, he says, “Like I said, different isn’t always bad. Besides, Massi is one of the best fucking guys I know. Actually, he’s probably the best guy I know.”
“Hey,” Gui says, and I can’t contain that laugh that escapes my lips.
“Just give the marriage a chance. I have a feeling you’ll be surprised at what can happen between the two of you,” Gio says.
I glance over my shoulder, and he gives me a wink.
Facing forward, I try not to think too much about that comment. In the end, I know Massi and I are too different. No matter what his brothers say. Right?