Chapter 6 #2
Instead, he pulls me closer like he’s staking a claim. “Easy, princess. It’s just my brother. Adrian, meet Cheri, Jaclyn’s roommate. She’s here to check on her friend. I explained she wouldn’t be able to see our new sister-in-law until breakfast, and she’s not too happy.”
The person attached to the voice steps out from behind my sex god; his gaze suspicious, like I’m a threat. He’s as tall as his brother and almost as handsome. What is in the air on this mountain?
“Aaron’s right, you can see her in the morning. You’re lucky we saw you on the security feeds, or you would have had a long night outside,” he says, his tone disapproving and not very welcoming. I can’t blame him, though. They value their privacy; everyone knows that, and I just showed up.
“Cavolo,” I murmur and cringe. If he’s not happy seeing me, wait until my brothers show up.
But at least I know the name of the man I’ve been kissing—Aaron.
If I remember correctly, he’s the second oldest Gallant brother.
Not that it matters, I’m not here for a man.
Merda. I shouldn’t be kissing anyone. I’m engaged to Arturo, even though I will never marry that jerkface no matter what my family believes.
“Italian,” Adrian states with a glance at the man holding me. What is it with them, anyway? It’s not like cursing in Italian is weird. My family does it all the time. Well, my brothers do. Technically, I’m not supposed to, but what they don’t know can’t hurt them.
“What’s wrong, princess?” Aaron asks.
Ignoring his question, I state again, “You need to put me down.”
“When we get in the house. You’re tired, and it’s dark. I don’t want you hurting yourself.”
“Seriously, you, too,” Adrian mutters. “That didn’t take long…”
“Shut up, bro. No one asked for your opinion.”
“No, but we just had this discussion earlier…” Adrian grumbles.
“Wait, your time will come, and we’ll all laugh our asses off.
Make yourself useful, will ya? Grab her suitcase for me; my hands are kind of full.
” Aaron doesn’t wait to see if Adrian does it, just turns toward the building I can see now in front of me.
I guess we weren’t as far away as I’d thought, plus the lights are on now.
The closer we get, the more I can see of the large log-style home. It’s enormous, but I guess it would be with six brothers living here. The perfect mountain retreat: quiet, fresh air, and a zillion stars in the sky. No wonder they love living here.
“How about you tell me what’s worrying you, princess?” Aaron asks, his mouth near my ear so Adrian can’t hear.
“Nothing. Everything’s fine. I’m fine. It’s all fine.” I’m lying, and we both know it, but I’m not ready to spill the tea about my brothers’ imminent arrival. God only knows what shit will hit the fan then.
“I can’t abide liars, so I’d suggest you think twice before you answer me again, Little girl. You won’t like the consequences, believe me.”
“What consequences? You’re not the boss of me. Merda. We don’t even know each other. I didn’t even know your name until your brother called you Aaron.” First, he won’t put me down, then he kisses the stuffing out of me, and now he’s threatening me? This is insanity.
“I’m sorry about that. I should have introduced myself.”
“Exactly,” I murmur. “And you should put me down. There’s plenty of light coming from the house for me to see.”
His soft laugh does weird things to my insides. “There is, but I’m still not putting you down. I enjoy having you in my arms.”
Adrian shakes his head as he passes us and climbs the steps to the large wraparound porch, still muttering to himself. As we join him, he asks, “Where are we putting her?”
The two men stare at each other, as if they’re having a conversation I’m not privy to. Finally, Aaron replies, “With me. But first, I’m going to get her something to eat. When was the last time you ate, Cheri?”
“I’m fine. I just want to make sure Jac is okay. Then I’ll head to my room.” Before I even finish saying the words, my stomach lets out a loud growl that’s impossible to miss. Fuck my life.
“Princess, what did I say about lying to me?” Aaron’s raised eyebrow and pinched expression don’t bode well for me.
“Umm, that there’d be consequences?”
Adrian laughs. “Oh, as much as I’d love to see this, you can’t. She’s right, she’s not yours—yet. Besides, she hasn’t given her consent.”
“Again, bro, no one asked you. Isn’t it time you went home?”
I blow out a breath as Aaron turns his displeasure to his brother. Somehow, I know it’s only a temporary reprieve, though.
“It should be, but I need to save you from yourself. If this is really Jaclyn’s roommate, you might want to think twice about what you’re thinking.
She is one of the Santini family and has four older brothers.
I doubt they’ll take kindly to you spanking their sister or washing her mouth out for lying. ”
“What? Wait. Dammit. Put me down, will you?” To my utter surprise, he does, but he stays close.
I point my finger at Aaron. “You definitely aren’t spanking me.
” Then I turn to his brother, eyes narrowing.
I tuck my hair behind my ear. “How do you know about my family—my brothers? I know Jaclyn didn’t tell you. ”
“Seriously? I’m head of security for our family and our business.
With everything happening, do you honestly think we wouldn’t run a complete background investigation on Jaclyn?
Especially since Andrew was going to marry her?
You can’t tell me your family hasn’t done the same thing—and probably more.
” Adrian glances at me and his brother, then opens the front door, gesturing for us to go in.
“We should take this inside. I don’t know about you,” he says, looking at his brother.
“But I have questions. We know Jaclyn spoke to you earlier today, so why are you really here, Cheri, or should I call you Cherise? That’s your real name, right? ”
Now I’m pissed. It’s not that I hide who I am, but my life in California with Jaclyn is Cheri the successful author, not Cherise the mafia-adjacent princess trying to escape an arranged marriage. Cavolo. When I think that, it sounds like a horrific fairy tale.
The look Aaron gives his brother would make my stomach curl in on itself, but Adrian ignores him as he leans against the side of the house.
I’m not putting myself in the middle of that; I’ve seen firsthand how things escalate between my own brothers.
Instead, I follow Aaron through the doorway and step inside my dream home.
It’s enormous. An open floor plan—everything my family’s brownstone in New York isn’t.
From the wall of windows and gorgeous natural wood floors to the high ceilings with exposed beams, it’s stunning.
No wallpaper, carpet, or chandeliers in sight.
“C’mon, princess, you’ll have time to explore tomorrow. You need food before your stomach stages a revolution.” Aaron’s voice pulls my gaze toward where he’s standing in the kitchen island.
“Sorry.” I hate how he affects me—just the sound of his voice, and I want to do whatever he asks.
This is bad. I’ve met lots of men in my life; my family does a lot of entertaining, but I’ve never reacted to anyone like this.
And that kiss—whoa. I don’t even realize I’m rubbing my lips until I reach his side, and his right eyebrow rises to his hairline.