Chapter 9 ~ Alexander
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Stillness permeated the air as we entered the dining room.
Hushed little groups scrutinized us with their piercing eyes, studying our progress.
My brothers are in the far corner, drinks in hand, their bodies becoming taut with nervous tension.
Sebastian studies Isabella, roaming over her form, quickly scanning her looking for further harm than the last time he saw her.
Christopher is thoroughly attuned to my facial features, trying to gauge if my anger had pacified somewhat since the situation that had unfolded in the sitting room.
I had, somewhat, but I am still pissed as I walk Isabella closer to greet my parents, but I am slowly losing sight of what exactly it is I am angry with.
Is it still her to a degree? I don’t like being told "no" by anyone. Was it my brother's intervention on her behalf or the underlying current of attraction I felt in the bathroom as I felt her pulse quicken under my hand, her breath on my lips that haven't kissed a woman in years?
This whole day has been a cluster fuck since I woke up. It's amazing how your life can get so screwed up in one day.
I notice Rebekah shifting slightly, still the little glimmering goddess. She stands just behind her parents, looking at us with a slight disappointment as if she had anticipated finding my entrance a solitary one.
Her knuckles are growing white as she tightens her grip on the chair's back, giving away her docile facade of sisterly affection.
With one last glare over her sister's form, she turns her back on us and makes her way over to Christopher, linking her arm through his and tossing her head back, tittering as though he had said something amusing.
Isabella still has her hand wrapped around my arm.
Her rigid body betrays the plastered smile she wears on her ashen features.
I take a glance at her. She is trying her hardest to hide the distress in her eyes, and it is failing the closer we get to my parents.
I follow her eyes as she slightly tightens her hold on my arm.
Her parents are standing stiffly across from my parents, sporting disdainful looks on their faces.
She slightly retreats in response to the disappointment coming at her from their direction.
I lower my arm, taking her soft hand in mine, attempting to intertwine our fingers in a show of unity, silently letting the room know she will be mine. I can feel her fingers wiggle as she stiffens her hand flat, attempting to break contact as if my touch repulses her.
The slight rejection reignites the annoyance that was a moment ago, slowly diminishing and I quickly intertwine our hands while squeezing slightly, pinching her fingers with mine, reminding her that only a moment ago I told her that she will take what I offer.
She falters mid-step from the pain, her smile slightly wavering but regaining her composure quickly.
The way my mother snaps her back straight, tilting her head to the side, one eyebrow raised, locking her fuming features to mine, I know she didn't miss the way I forced Isabella to comply.
My father takes in my mother's defensive posture, immediately putting his hand to the small of her back, drawing her closer to comfort her, and quickly scanning the room to locate her annoyance. "Chiara, love? What's wrong?" He leans in close and whispers.
My mother doesn’t break eye contact with me as she puts her hand on my father’s chest and pats his chest twice, "Nothing I can't handle dear." My father leans down and kisses her on the cheek, completely missing the warning I was given.
My mother steps directly in front of Isabella, freeing her hand from mine and holding it in both of her palms, she gently rubs it. "Isabella! So nice to finally get to meet you." My mother's smile is warm and inviting; "It's been quite the introduction."
Isabella gives a weak smile as my mother gently pulls her away from me. Irritation raises its ugly head as she takes her away from my side, and I step directly behind Isabella, claiming my spot once again beside her.
Isabella drops her head, pursing her lips, as she speaks to the floor; "Yes, I must apologize for that. I am so sorry for the way I represented myself. I didn't mean to embarrass you or my family. I'm not usually this clumsy.”
My mother’s hand gently caresses the top of Isabella's, attempting to relieve the sting of my roughness. My mother's eyes soften. She is already half in love with the girl. I can see it in her eyes.
She leans in closer and puts her hand on Isabella's cheek: "Oh sweetheart, I raised three boys.
Do you think this is the first time something has come skidding into a room?
I can't tell you how many lunches I've held where a football came sailing through the patio door to land in the middle of the floor.” "Or a window was broken due to a baseball. " My father interjects.
My mother barks out a little laugh and pats my father's chest in agreement.
"Isabella, this is Mr. Russo." Isabella reaches out her hand to shake it, but my father's expression becomes softer and he smiles like he's looking at an angel. He pulls her into his massive chest for a hug and says, "So happy to meet you."
Isabella is unmoving, her hands sticking out straight like a mannequin, eyes wide, distress written all over her face as she struggles with what to do.
Uncaring my father leans back slightly and cups Isabella's cheeks in his big hands; Isabella flinches slightly and squeezes her eyes tight.
"Beautiful." Her eyes open in response to my father's commanding voice, her bows constrict in bewilderment, and I can see a faint sheen of tears forming in her eyes as they start to become red.
"I'm looking forward to you joining our family," He winks and says, "And I can't wait to have little bambinos running around and bursting into rooms as well." he steps back and drops his hand to gently flick under her chin.
Isabella lets out a little laugh, and a flush forms across her face as she steps away, sheepishly looking at the floor. I’m pretty sure she has to talk to me or let me touch her before I can fuck her and give him grandkids.
"Oh my goodness, we have to get the wedding over with first. Don't rush the poor girl. She’s had quite a night."
My mother rushes to her defence while laughing and holding her hand once again, pulling her away from me to walk her farther into the dining room.
Mr. Gallo takes my mother's place, stepping up beside my father.
“I appreciate you letting this little blunder of hers go, Amato. She's been sheltered for most of her life.” He takes a slow sip of his drink and says, "Social interactions are something she will quickly get accustomed to."
As he leans around my father's shoulder, "Don't worry, Alexander, she'll be ready by the wedding, I promise you that," he quickly adds. He nods at me as if I should approve of him pointing out his daughter's weaknesses like it is a fucking selling point; the whole house knows her flaws.
I can feel my face starting to heat. But my father ends the conversation with very few words. "Take your seat, Robert."
Mr. Gallo stutters out a weak apology and heads over to the table to look for his card. I undo my suit jacket, stepping back to take my seat as well.
"Why does that lovely girl have tear stains down her cheeks, Alex?
" He hasn't stopped watching my mother guide everyone to their assigned seats at the table.
The deep accusatory tone makes me take a big breath in, and I'm not coming up with an answer that won't make me look like the asshole I seem to be tonight.
Taking a sip of his drink, he lowers the glass and sighs, "You make this shit right. She is a good girl. A gentle soul."
He finally looks at me, disapproval is written on his face. I'm not about to back down. I'll respect his wishes, but she is mine.
I nod. "Understood."
I'm not sure exactly what happened between the club until now, but something has taken over. I'm a sick, sadistic bastard. I never claimed to be anything different. But I do not force innocence into my way of life.
You're either a game player or not. Isabella is not. For some reason, I wanted to push Isabella, break her. I liked those tears. But even I know I crossed a line tonight.
I back away and take my place, standing behind my chair on his right at the head of the table.
I look over at Isabella, waiting for her to arrive by my side so I can pull out her chair.
But she keeps on walking to the end of the table, reading the cards as she passes.
Her place is by my side; why would she even need to look?
Glancing down, expecting to see her name on the place card beside me, in bold elegant script, Rebekah's name is written on the card.
What the fuck is going on? I immediately swing my gaze to my mother, who looks at me in question as if to say, "What's wrong?" It's then I notice Sebastian is pulling out Isabella's chair, placing her in between my mother and himself, as far away from me as he can get her.
Prick!
Rebekah arrives beside me, slowly stroking her hand down my back as I pull out her chair. As she sidesteps around me, her hip grazes my cock as she casts a shy glance over her shoulder, whispering a soft "Thank you."
Taking my seat beside her, I flip my napkin open with a snap and lay it across my lap. I grab my drink and take a sip, letting the whiskey burn on my tongue before I swallow it.
What the fuck do I even care that she's tucked away with my brother? I have a hot piece of ass sitting beside me shoving her hip at my dick and I'm pissed that my little bunny hopped away to my brother's side.