Chapter Thirty-Five
I did it. I slogged. I worked until the early hours to catch up. Bellino sat with me, pushing me to keep going. Helping me keep motivated with promises of sexual favours if I did a little more, worked a little harder, put in an extra hour or two. It worked.
I’m here. We’re all sitting outside in the sun at the side of the stage.
I can see my security detail out of the corner of my eye, but I try not to acknowledge them.
I’m waiting for him. He promised he would be here.
I feel nervous. My palms are sweating. My head’s hot under my hat, the scratchy gown making me irritable, but in all honesty, it’s nothing to do with the outfit.
It’s the fact that I need him and he’s not here.
I blow out a breath and try to calm my disappointment.
I stare down at the floor. We were supposed to start five minutes ago, so he’s already late; he’s clearly not coming.
Trying not to cry, trying to breathe through it all.
Mumbles and whispers start echoing around the grounds, and the sound of a vehicle driving painfully slowly trickles through the mounting interruption. When I look up, the massive SUV with blacked-out windows pulls up behind the seating.
Two armed guards step out and around the vehicle, opening the door.
My breath catches in my throat. It’s like he’s in slow motion.
Rising like some kind of god dressed in a black suit, his dark sunglasses reflect the sunlight, and he fastens the button of his jacket, pulling taut across his bulging muscles, as he looks around the space. He takes a step forward.
There’s movement behind him as Vittorio climbs out, looking just as deadly but not quite as sexy. Wearing a charcoal suit is slightly softer than Bellino’s look, but damn, he steps to the side and reaches inside the vehicle.
Arianna takes his hand and steps out of the car. She is stunning, elegant in a pencil skirt and white blouse, her bug-eyed sunglasses frame her face, and her dark, soft curls flow behind her. All three of them together look terrifying. Her beauty doesn’t distract from the aura she emits.
The guard closes the door, and Bellino strides down the aisle.
The guards step beside him, and Arianna and Vittorio follow behind.
Gasps fill the outdoor space, and whispers create a dull hum.
Although I can’t see his eyes, his gaze locks on mine.
He stalks towards the front where there are empty seats, and I now realise they had them reserved.
I swallow hard, but he walks straight past the empty seating while the others take their seats.
He walks straight towards me. Everyone watching. Everyone falls silent as he reaches me.
I stand up. I whisper, “You came.” I try to hold my voice steady, but it wavers slightly and he gives me the tiniest of grins.
“I’ll always come.” His gruff voice sets my skin alight, and he reaches forward. Slipping his arm effortlessly around my waist, he yanks me forward crashing me against his body. His lips crash against mine.
I hear the mumble of voices, gasps and coos, but I melt into him, the sound suddenly forgotten along with the hundreds of people watching us. My arms wrap around his neck as his tongue owns my mouth. He nips at my bottom lip and tugs it before giving me a smirk.
“I’m so proud, lil’ lamb,” he whispers for only me to hear. He presses a kiss to my lips but steps back, leaving me gasping for air as I flop back to my seat watching him stride back to the front row and take his place beside Arianna. She gives me a tiny wave, and I blow out the breath.
“Fuck, dude, that even made me hard.” I turn to Darius, who is adjusting his junk, and I dig him in the ribs.
“Shut the fuck up,” I whisper, but the grin that spreads across my face shows I don’t give a fuck. There’s a tap on the mike, and the dean’s voice echoes around the open space.
“Now we’re all here.” He nods and smiles at Bellino, and he gives a nod back.
My jaw dropping. The entire event was on hold until they arrived.
I huff a laugh and shake my head, and while Bellino’s head is facing the stage when I look over at him, I can see his eyes are trained on me the whole time.
I start to sweat. His gaze heats me from within, and knowing that this powerful man and his powerful family are here for me, I’ve never been important.
I’ve always lived in my sister’s shadow, but this family is mine, and they will always show up for me.
I’m overwhelmed by how much love I feel from firstly a man but secondly a man who will never tell me he loves me. And he never will have to because he shows me every second of every day. It’s heady and powerful and means more than empty words and vague promises.