Chapter 23 – Althea
ALTHEA
We arrived at Eliseo Venatti’s luxury home overlooking the Tuscan coast. Like everything these men own, it’s huge, surrounded by privacy, and every detail is well thought out and intentional.
For example, the seven smaller ‘guest homes’ that surround the main house I learn are meant for family to stay in when they visit.
I thought they were for hired help to live in while caring for the family or the property, but no.
The staff have a small apartment-like building at the bottom of the hill where they stay, except for the security team, house manager, and the chief cook.
In Las Vegas, our head of security stays on the property, as does the house manager, who oversees the day-to-day care of our home and the people who work for us, but this is insane. With the number of people who work here, it’s like a five-star hotel on crack—and I own casinos.
“What the hell is all of this?” I quietly ask myself merely because I’m in shock and it all seems like overkill to me, but Enzo answers anyway.
“When Nazario told Nonno and Eliseo what was going on, they upped security. It’s a precaution in case Caspien comes looking for you.
It’s also in part because The Bishop has gone into hiding and no one has been able to track him down.
The Mesias took out Ephraim as a show of good faith since he attacked both my cousin and Devante that night,” Enzo explains, sounding upset.
“You sound disappointed.” I smile at how pouty this grown-ass man has become over the fact he didn’t get to kill the man responsible for shooting Santo.
It’s almost laughable, but I’m not going to push my luck.
We’ve both been on an emotional rollercoaster for the last couple of days.
Laughing in the face of a cold-hearted killer while he’s wound tight doesn’t seem to be in my best interest.
Still funny though.
We’re greeted immediately by Eliseo and his wife, Vella. She welcomes me with a warm embrace. I must be tired, because I return the comforting gesture. When she pulls back, she’s smiling.
“Oh, aren’t you beautiful? Well done, Enzo.
She will make a fine wife and such beautiful children.
” She claps her hands together with excitement.
“Don’t you worry about a thing, dear. I have all the wedding plans underway.
Nazario sent me an email with a list of everything you and Enzo have requested. ”
I send a sharp glare Enzo’s way. “I wasn’t aware of any plans being made.”
Vella looks between us and waves me off.
“It will all be ready by Saturday evening as requested, and your friends and will arrive with Nazario tomorrow evening to help.” She beams. “Enzo, Giselle will arrive on Friday morning. Her last class is Thursday morning, and the stubborn girl refused to miss even one day of lectures. But Angelo will accompany her on the plane over along with her guards, as you requested.”
Enzo nods.
“Saturday? That’s a week away.” I turn to Enzo. “I can’t miss that much time at work. I need to get back home.”
“Your resignation was already sent in and accepted,” he says so bluntly I want to slap him.
“You quit my job for me?” I have to bite the inside of my lip to keep from screaming at him and making a scene in front of his aunt and uncle.
But when I get him alone, I’m going to lay into the meddling fucker.
“You had no right to do that. It’s bad enough you’re making me do this ,” I wave my hand between us.
“Without my full endorsement. You had no right to end my profession too.”
“Let’s not pretend that you wanted to work for the Dallas precinct as a real profession. We both know you took the job to be able to tamper with evidence and keep up with the newest technology to better cover your tracks,” Enzo says mockingly.
“That is not—” I’m cut off when his uncle beams with pride.
“That’s actually a brilliant plan,” Eliseo admonishes.
“Caspien Drakos was always a forward thinker,” an older gentlemen’s voice calls. Maurice Venatti enters the room, a little slower than the others, but he doesn’t look the slightest bit frail.
“Maybe hold on to that job. I’m sure we can get Doc to write her some kind of illness excuse,” Eliseo teases.
Maurice eyes me cautiously and takes my hand, congratulating me on our soon to be wedding. “You’re doing the right thing,” he whispers not so quietly.
“I’m so glad everyone else is convinced of that.
” I can feel Enzo’s glare burning into my skin.
Anger rolls off him in waves, and my thighs clench.
I’m certain I’ll be punished for my insolence before the night is through.
If I’m honest with myself, I want that. No, I need it .
My emotions have been so high, and my thoughts a jumbled mess.
What I wouldn’t give to let it all go and float even if only for a little while.
The part that both annoys and excites me is the fact that I know Enzo can provide that for me.
But will he?
Maurice laughs, a hearty chuckle, and warns teasingly, “You have your work cut out for you, son.”
“I’m up for the task.” Enzo’s response is low and menacing, and I think I’ve gotten my answer. When I turn, my eyes meet his, and they’re full of wicked intentions, and my body lights up at the prospect of each and every one.
“Come on. Let’s all have a seat,” Eliseo says. “Vella, dear, will you ask Maria to get us some drinks and bring them into the living room for us?”
“And some breakfast, if you would, Aunt Vella. Althea hasn’t eaten since yesterday, and I’m sure she’ll need her strength for what’s coming.”
“No. That won’t be necessary. I’m fine.”
Vella ignores me and looks at Enzo, smiling wide. “Of course, dear. I’ll get right on it.”
Enzo smirks, placing his hand on the small of my back, ushering me to follow his uncle and grandfather. He leans in close to my ear and whispers, “Keep up the attitude, baby. I just hope your ass can handle the punishment you’re going to get for every snarky remark you have to make.”
My panties are instantly wet, and my pulse picks up.
Damn him.
We take our seats. I choose to sit on the opposite end of the couch from Enzo’s family, wanting to put some space between us, but Enzo isn’t having it.
He picks me up and settles me on his lap, not giving two shits about the two men sitting across the room watching us.
I wiggle my body, trying to break free of his hold, but he grips my thigh firmly and gives a tight shake of his head.
“Stay.” He growls.
“Woof.” I huff.
He drops his forehead to my shoulder, and I feel his body shake with laughter. Apparently, we’re both delirious. After our conversation on the plane, neither of us slept the rest of the flight. He was on his computer, apparently planning our wedding while I watched movies on an iPad.
“All right. Let’s get this sorted, shall we?
” Maurice starts. “You have questions about your brother, and I believe we have the answers. Though I’m not sure you want to know the whole story.
” He looks past me to Enzo. When I turn to see his face, Enzo gives me a nervous half-smile.
He drops his forehead to mine and takes a deep breath.
“Whatever you learn today, remember it doesn’t change the fact that you’re mine . I’m not giving you up.” He’s firm in his decision. I’m not sure what to think about it. Is it a promise? A threat? At this point, it’s hard to tell.
I love the sound of being his. Of knowing he wants me. How possessive he’s become of me, but that’s not love. He’s doing this out of duty and responsibility.
He looks up, his hand gently cupping my face as he kisses my forehead. I’m not sure how to take this gentle side of Enzo Venatti. It’s such a contradiction of the man I know him to be. I’ve never been able to handle gentleness from a man.
Not that Papa has ever raised his hand in anger or been cruel to me, I’ve just never felt like I deserved gentleness or kindness.
Not in such an intimate way. The guilt I’ve carried for so long has trained me to harden myself to softness or tenderness.
It’s a comfort I don’t feel I’ve earned.
I’ve always believed I deserved to be punished because I survived.
I wasn’t stolen away and left for dead like Annanias.
But he’s not dead.
Which leaves me feeling even more uncertain of how I’m supposed to feel or what I truly deserve. It almost seems worse knowing he’s been living alone in this world while his family forgot him and moved on.
You never forgot him. You never believed he was dead.
Tears sting my eyes. I fight to hold myself together, determined not to let myself cry in front of these men.
Enzo’s brow creases as he searches my face, confused and concerned. I give him a faint smile and nod.
“I’m ready.”
He gives a curt nod, makes eye contact with Maurice and tells him, “Tell her.”