5. Chapter 4
Arianna
My mother found me almost as soon as I’d walked through the door, coming to me with open arms and a huge smile on her face. “Arianna. I’m so glad you’re home.”
I honestly believed in my heart that my mother loved me, but she wasn’t great at showing it most times.
Though, having grown up in this world, I understood.
It wasn’t until I’d lived in Crestwood and seen how the Givenchy’s treated each other that I’d really started to think about how other people showed love for others.
For the most part, Sandro and I had been raised by nannies.
I mean, Sandro spent a lot of time with our father so he learned how to be the head of the family, but our mother was rarely around.
Usually out getting pampered, spending time with the other wives, or holed up in her bedroom by herself.
She might have loved me, but she wasn’t the motherly type, so seeing her so excited to see me was suspect.
“It’s good to see you too, Mom.” I took the hug she offered, considering how rare they were, and wondered briefly what her motivations were.
I didn’t have to wait long. “We have so much to do and so little time to do it. You really should have made more trips to New York over the past couple of months so that we could get started. Waiting until six weeks before the wedding is just madness. Thankfully for you, I started planning and making calls. I’ve got caterers on hold and ordered the necessary things that couldn’t wait. ”
There it was. She wasn’t excited to see me. She was excited to be planning my wedding that she’d use to show me off, making her the envy of the women in the Vitale family.
I mean, she already was. I could walk down the aisle in a potato sack with no flowers or decorations or even anyone else present and my mom would still hold their envy. She was married to the boss, so she had unlimited money and influence.
“I’m assuming we’re holding the ceremony at St. Patrick’s Cathedral?” It was where my parents had been married, as well as everyone else in our family for as long as it had been standing.
She chuckled and rolled her eyes. “After all the money your father just spent renovating the banquet hall here? No. The wedding will be in the back yard with the reception in the hall. It serves another purpose too, though, since the estate is secure.”
“Is he concerned about safety?” St. Patrick’s was in our territory so it should have been secure as well. And things had been good between the families for longer than I’d been alive.
Mom let out a sigh. “No. But he should be. You are the first of the heirs to get married. If any of the families was going to decide to pull something, this would be the time to do it.”
That wasn’t exactly accurate. Don Pesaro’s heir had gotten married two years ago and already had a baby with another on the way. I really had no idea if my mother just didn’t know that, or if she was ignoring it for her own benefit.
Also, I wasn’t an heir. Even if I wasn’t marrying into the Givenchy family, if something happened to Sandro, I wouldn’t be able to take his place. I was considered a princess. Pretty, good for making an alliance, but not capable of running a crime organization.
She looked at the watch on her wrist before stiffening.
“I must be getting back to preparing for tonight. All of your father’s lieutenants will be there tonight, with their wives, to welcome you home.
You are to wear the dress that I had purchased for this occasion.
The maid should have hung it on the dressing rack in your room. Dinner starts at six. Don’t be late.”
That was more of her attention than I'd had for a long time, so I was going to take it as a win. Now, to get settled in and see what horrendous dress I’d be wearing tonight.
Well, it could have been worse.
That’s what I was telling myself as I looked at my reflection in the full length mirror in my room. The dress my mother had picked out was a red satin, A-line dress that came up to my collar bone with cap sleeves. It was definitely modest, which is probably what she was going for.
I was surprised with the color, though. I would have thought she’d take advantage and have me wearing white all summer. After all, I wouldn’t be able to wear it again after my wedding.
There was a knock at my door, but it didn’t open.
I forgot for a moment how different things were here than in Crestwood. There, I would have heard a knock and then Leyla would have come barreling in.
“Come in.”
Tucker walked through the door, wearing black dress pants, a dark gray button up shirt, and a black and gray striped tie. “I wasn’t sure what color you’d be wearing and didn’t want to clash. Figured I couldn’t go wrong with this.”
He was right. It definitely looked good, especially on him. “You look perfect.”
“Not nearly as good as you, Vita Mia.” Tucker pulled me into his arms, pressing a kiss to my temple. A throat cleared near the door, and I looked around Tucker to see Vinny, my bodyguard watching. “I’m allowed to kiss my fiancée, Vinny, so back the fuck down.”
I chuckled as Vinny rolled his eyes, but turned his attention back to the hallway. “How was the meeting with my father?”
Tucker pulled back and put an arm out for me to take, walking us towards the banquet hall where the welcome dinner would be held. “About like I expected. He went over what was to be expected and I officially met your brother’s lieutenants. Elio seems like a charmer.”
I’d thought for a couple of years before my father signed the agreement with the Givenchy’s that he’d have me marry Elio. His father had been one of my father’s closest confidants until he was killed when I was five.
It probably wouldn’t have been a terrible life, but I knew now that a life with Tucker would be amazing, so I was grateful for this arrangement. Even if it made no sense to me.
“You’ll get to meet his mother tonight. All of the higher ranking men and their wives have been invited.”
Tucker groaned. “Can we just fast forward until tomorrow? I mean, don’t get me wrong, the food is probably going to be delicious, but having to meet all your fathers men and their wives, then spending the night bonding with your brother, Marco, and Elio, just sounds like torture.
Your father thinks it would be good for us to get to know each other better.
I guess they're taking me to one of his establishments so we can spend time together.”
I wasn’t sure if Tucker was aware yet, but they were taking him to a strip club.
While yes, my father had other establishments, the strip clubs were the only one any of them hung out at.
I absolutely hated the idea of my fiancé going to a strip club to look at almost naked women, possibly getting a lap dance from one of them, but there wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it.
I knew in my heart that Tucker would be faithful to me, never cheating, but looking wasn’t cheating, and technically, a lap dance wouldn’t be either.
Did I think Tuck would buy a lap dance? No.
Not a chance in hell. Did I think my brother or one of his friends would buy one for Tuck to fuck with him? Absolutely, without a doubt.
We stopped just outside of the door to the hall and Tucker turned me to look at him. “You’re mad that I’m going out with your brother?”
Even though none of this was Tuck’s fault, I couldn’t keep the bitterness out of my voice. “I didn’t say that.”
His jaw clenched. “You didn’t have to say it, your posture and tone of voice says it all. Why is my hanging out with your brother and friends such a big deal?”
I stayed quiet until the couple walking our way made their way inside and out of ear shot. Not that Vinny wasn’t hearing everything from his post a few feet away. “Because they’re going to take you to a strip club. You’ll be watching other women undress.”
Realization dawned on him, then a shit eating grin crossed his face.
I wondered for just a moment how much trouble I’d be in if I smacked it off of him, but let it go.
I couldn’t hit him without consequences.
And if I was being honest, I didn’t actually want to hit him.
I wanted to hit my brother. “You’re jealous, aren’t you?
” I looked away, refusing to meet his gaze, but he put a firm hand on my chin, forcing my attention back to him.
“I never thought I’d see the day, but I have to say,” Tucker leaned in closer, whispering in my ear so no one else could hear as he pushed his growing erection into me, “it turns me the fuck on to know you’re that affected. ”
I pushed him back, still irritated, but he didn’t budge.
Instead, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to my lips before leaning his forehead against mine, whispering for only me to hear again.
“I won’t touch another woman, Ari. You have my word.
And I know that no matter how many take that stage, none of them will hold a candle to you.
You own me, Vita Mia. Never forget that. ”
With that, Tucker turned and offered me his arm again before leading me into the hall for what was sure to be the longest night of my life.