13. Amy #2
The rest of the night is spent in much more casual conversation.
Kerry brings in his chef to make a big dinner for us.
I leave most of the talking to Kerry and Alessandro.
The leader of the Nameless isn’t as scary as I thought he would be, thankfully.
In fact, he seems…normal. Even more normal than Kerry.
It’s odd, knowing he was the leader of a major secret mafia organization.
He’s been the perfect gentleman, handing me food, asking politely for anything he might need.
He seems to notice that I’m a bit nervous around him and that Kerry’s possessive, so he mostly directs all lines of conversation towards Kerry.
Until there’s a quiet moment as we eat our dessert, a sticky toffee pudding, which I’ve never had before.
Alessandro lets it fall silent. I say let because I’ve picked up that it seems like he talks a lot, but in reality, he’s molding the conversation to his wishes.
Kerry notices, too, sitting up a little straighter.
Alessandro turns to me, a depth of sadness in his dark eyes. “I am sorry your friend is missing, piccola signorina. I imagine you’re very worried about her.”
“I am,” I say softly, fingers tightening around my spoon.
He nods, brows pinching together. “I wanted to reassure you that we are doing everything we can to bring her back to safety. I hope Alasdair has told you what’s been happening?”
My eyes flicker to Kerry, and he nods. I look back to Alessandro and nod. “Yes, he has.”
Alessandro nods, looking thoughtful again. “Bene, bene.” He pauses for a moment. “You and her are not in such a different situation, you know.”
I furrow my brows, studying him. My eyes flicker to Kerry, but it’s clear he has no idea what the man is talking about, either. “What do you mean?”
“She is having to get married, too. To be safe.”
My eyebrows raise this time, the air rushing out of my lungs. “What are you talking about?”
Alessandro chuckles a bit at my reaction. “You know about her father and grandfather’s feuding, yes?”
I nod. “Yes, Kerry told me.”
Alessandro nods. “Sì. And you know her grandfather’s protege is within my organization, too, yes?
” At my nodding, he continues. “She will marry him. It is for her protection, too. Her father is not the honorable type to look at marriage the same as us, but it will provide more protection, and ensure my brother does not get involved with her father. Her father’s men will know it will cause a war with the Nameless and they won’t want to be involved.
We are quite the force to behold.” Alessandro winks at me, that charming smile flashing back up onto his lips.
I sit back in my chair and process that. Lily and I, best friends for ages, somehow finding ourselves in the same boat, needing to marry a mafia lord for protection.
“You will be sisters in arms, even as you are sisters in heart. It is a nice thing, yes?” Alessandro grins and sips his wine. Next to me, Kerry’s hand finds my thigh. He must know this information is jarring. It’s amazing how quickly he’s learned to read me.
My throat feels rather tight as I swallow. “Yes, I suppose. Is this already happening? Or is it just…your plan?”
Alessandro laughs and shakes his head. “I do not make plans. I make promises. Even so, this is already happening. She has been taken from her father. She is safe. Her grandfather has her, and he loves her very much. I believe his world has already brightened into heaven at the thought of him having a granddaughter, a family again.”
Okay. That’s nice for that guy. But what about Lily? “And how does she feel about it? Is she okay? Can I talk to her?”
Alessandro chuckles at all of my questions, and Kerry’s hand on my thigh tightens a bit. I glance over at him, and he takes a deep breath, as if suggesting I should do so, too.
I take a deep breath, a bit begrudgingly, but I do. Kerry gives a gentle squeeze on my thigh in approval.
“I will arrange a call between the two of you. The time zones are different, so that must be taken into consideration, but she is not being held captive. She is simply protected, there is a big difference. From what I understand, she is upset and scared, but far happier with her grandfather than with her father, understandably.”
The thought of calling Lily makes my heart tighten. “I would like that, a lot.”
Alessandro nods. “I think she would, too. It would go a long way for her to see we are on the same side as you and to have your friendship as a comfort.”
Kerry takes in a deep breath. “Then we’ll make it happen.” He gives my thigh another squeeze as he looks at Alessandro. “Shall I show you to a bedroom for you to stay here tonight? Or will you be leaving us so soon?”
“A room would be nice, yes. But I will be…how is it the Americans say it? Out of your hair? By first light. Grazie for your kindness.” Alessandro rises, and we rise with him.
A brief goodnight is said, and Kerry shows him to a guest room, before we make our way to the master suite down the hall. My movements feel sluggish as I get ready for bed. It’s actually night now, but my jet lag still is still clinging to my brain, so it feels like I just stayed up really late.
Kerry’s sharpened gaze is on me as I brush my teeth. I glance over at him, and he smiles. It’s real. Genuine. As if he’s simply enjoying the sights of me in his bathroom, getting ready for bed, the domesticity of it.
I use the toilet room to change into my pajamas.
Kerry’s eyes follow me, but he doesn’t protest when I close the door.
Despite him already having his face between my thighs, I’m not bold enough to just…
drop my pants and get changed in front of him.
My tired brain can’t fathom having him watch me in my nakedness, even though my body doesn’t seem to mind.
I feel heat pooling in my lower stomach just at the thought of it.
Kerry’s not in the bathroom anymore when I come out of it.
I hold my clothes in a bundle in my arms as I creep out into the bedroom.
He’s already sitting on the edge of the bed, large shoulders bare in the moonlight shining in through the window.
It looks like he was in the middle of getting changed, but paused to sit down for a moment.
The smooth expanse of his skin makes the air rush out of my lungs.
I can’t help but just stare for a moment. He looks like he belongs in one of the striking paintings that adorn his bedroom like this, quiet and still. He’s beautiful.
“Are you going to stand there and drool over me all night, sweet leannán? Or are you going to come to bed and feel instead of just looking?”