Chapter 13
My fingers graze over a deep red fitted dress when Gianna appears next to me. “Girl, this dress would look incredibly sexy on you and you should definitely try it on.”
It’s sweet of her to say that but it’s the furthest thing from the truth. This beautiful piece of fabric would not flatter me I would be a laughingstock if I wore this dress anywhere.
“Gianna, that’s kind of you to say that.
Thank you.” My eyes meet her confused ones before mine move back to the dress.
“This dress is more for someone with your body type. Curves in all the right places, not like mine with a mixture of fat and curves. No one is going to want to see me in this dress.”
I move to go look at some other items in this high-end store downtown when Gianna says, “Well, I can tell you none of that bullshit you vomited out of your mouth is remotely even close.” I spin around with a confusion.
She chuckles, grabs the hanger and brings it over to me.
“Trust me when I say, whoever put any of those horrible things in your head need to have their mouths sewn shut. None of what you said is true.” She gestures to the fitting room to our right.
“I think once you try it on, you will agree with me.”
My fingers curl around the hanger as I make my way to the changing room. I do trust her which is a strange feeling as I just met her this morning, but there was sincerity in her eyes and compassion. She doesn’t seem like the kind of person to only tell me what I want to hear either.
I undress without looking in the mirror, remove the dress from the hanger, and unzip the back before stepping into it one leg at a time.
I grip the sides, shimmy it up over my hips, pull the side up and slide the tiny thin straps over my shoulders.
My hands reach around the back, and I pull up the zipper with more ease than I thought.
I let out a deep breath before I chicken out and put on my other clothes.
My eyes close as I turn on my heel to see myself.
I count to three and then open them. I let out a gasp with my arms frozen at my sides.
Holy shit! The deep red fabric against my golden skin makes me seem darker than I am.
My breasts are pushed up, held in with no spillage on the sides.
The dress hugs my body. Cinching my waist and, highlighting my hips, and comes down to right above my ankles.
My curves are on full display, and I don’t have the need to cover myself up with embarrassment.
My stomach shows some but not all the rolls. The dress hides it.
I unlock the door to show Gianna and once it’s open about a quarter of the way, she squeals with excitement like a kid on Christmas morning.
“Shut up. Shut up. Shut up. You, look so fucking sexy and the moment my brother sees you in this dress, every man in the tristate area has a death wish.” She says, gesturing for me to turn around.
“I mean it’s not like he hasn’t done that already by killing Ian.” I blurt out while I turn around.
She raises one shoulder. “Very true.”
“Do you have any idea why your brother wanted to marry me so badly?” I bluntly ask with this being my opportunity to possibly get some answers.
She smiles. “My brother beats to his own drum as you know most mafia men do.”
“This is crazy. You have to agree that this is crazy because I only met him one time. One!” I hold up my finger to make my point known.
“Enzo has always been the take charge kind of a person. Even when he was younger. He likes control and the need to lead. Both make him a good Don of our family. I’m sure he had his reasons, ones I have no idea what they are.” Her voice softens. “This is the world we were born into.”
I take in her words and let out a sigh because she’s not wrong on this is the life we have ever known. But I just wish she was able to give me more information to why Enzo wanted to marry me and kill Ian.
“Now, girl, your ass is snatched in this,” Gianna says as she changes the subject.
I can feel my face heat. “I don’t think I have ever felt this good in a piece of clothing in ever.
” I slide my hands down the front of the dress and the moment she mentions Enzo, his deep dark eyes appear in my mind.
Part of me believes her based off some things he has said in the past forty-eight hours.
But the other part of me knows the truth is this is just a business transaction and nothing more.
“Well, this marriage was a business deal. Never getting to make our own decisions.”
Gianna tilts her head, taking in what I just said.
I can see it in her eyes that she understands what I’m saying because she, too, is a woman in this dark underworld we have been born into.
There is going to come a point where she will be married off but I hope that Enzo does not do what has been done to me to her.
“Regardless of how it happened, the marriage, there is no shame wanting to feel good. To feel sexy. To feel powerful.” Her lips pull into a small smile.
“You deserve it. We deserve it.” I nod agreeing with her when she pops up from the chair and states, “Now, let’s see what else this store has for other items to make my brother second guess letting me take you shopping. ”
I let out a small laugh before I follow her in through the store, still wearing the dress and a certain someone, wondering around in my mind.
Gianna found many more outfits for me that included dresses, tops, pants, shoes, under garments, and so much more.
I have never left a store with so many bags in one swell shopping experience.
I feel a little over zealous at how much this all is costing my new husband and what he’s going to think when he sees the bill on his fifteen thousand credit card.
We are exiting the store when the hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention and my back straightens.
I feel as if I’m being watched. I turn my head over my shoulder to see if I see anyone or anything.
There is no one there. This feels different than a few months ago when I thought I was being followed.
However, this time my stomach feels it’s in my throat, my mouth is dry, my palms are sweaty, and something feels off. I just can’t put my finger on it.
Lorenzo is holding the door open to the car when he notices me swiveling my head. “Mrs. Ricci, is everything all right?” His voice laced with concern when he asks me.
I clear my throat and turn to look at him all while trying to pretend nothing is the matter. “Yes, thank you.” I pause for a moment. “I just thought–––”
Lorenzo is peering around my head, eyes narrowed and face tight. “Get in the car Mrs. Ricci and Ms. Gianna.” We both do as we are told and file inside.
I can feel my heart racing a mile a minute, and taking in some deep breaths is not helping at all until I feel Gianna’s hand on top of mine.
“In one, two, three.” Her voice is soft and gentle. “Out, four, five, six,” I listen to her repeating the mantra until my heart starts to slow down. My body starts to relax a little. “You’re okay, Isabella. Did you see something when we were leaving the store?”
I take in another deep breath and spill everything on how the past few months, it’s felt as if someone is watching me and following me.
It’s not every single day, but my body goes rigid when this thing of person is near.
But after the wedding, Ian getting shot and how a war basically has broken out has me a little panicked that it’s serious.
Lorenzo is back in the car, sitting at the driver’s seat with his phone up to his ear speaking in hush tones.
Gianna squeezes my hand with my eyes glued onto Lorenzo. I track his movement. His gaze is a laser on mine through the rearview mirror as the person on the other line appears to be giving orders. In one swift motion, he tucks his phone away and announces we are returning home.
Suddenly, all of the tension I coursing through my body has lifted at the thought of returning to my new home. A place that 48 hours ago felt like a new prison, but in this moment it feels safe. I hope.