7. Alessia
Chapter seven
Alessia
M assimo insisted on having the engagement party at his estate, which was shocking. You only know who your enemies are once they make it abundantly clear.
My father and I had planned on doubling security between our men and theirs, but Massimo was quite incisive with his tactics. Quality over quantity. He wanted only those of our most trusted men as security for the party. There are extensive background checks on every person hired to work for or under us, and there are eyes everywhere, but having so many employed, sometimes one rat slips through undetected.
I’ve seen Massimo twice since our date a couple of weeks ago and received the official tour of their estate. The entire place was dead quiet, which is never the case in my home. I had to block out the maudlin feelings I felt crippled with. To no longer come home to comforting chaos. Instead, I’ll be met with chilling silence.
So far, we’ve remained professional. It might sound crazy to a stranger that I’m terrified of falling in love with my fiancé, but so would an arranged marriage. My life is certainly in a world separate from reality. Not only am I very privileged, but I’m exempt from the law. Hell, I got away with murder. I wasn’t even the slightest bit worried about getting arrested.
“You are definitely the prettier twin,” Gemma says after I slip into my evening gown in front of the floor-length mirror.
I give her a dry look in the mirror. “You’re kidding me, right?”
Her eyes widen in offense. “ You’re kidding me , right?”
“You girls are equally the most beautiful women in the world,” Mamma says as she looks at us both in the mirror with a warm smile.
“You have to say that because you’re our mother,” I retort lightly.
“And because it’s true,” Fia chimes in. “You’re twins,” she teases. “Duh.”
“Yes, my brother is certainly a fortunate man,” Sarita says from where she’s sitting.
I came over to the estate early to check on things and help make sure it all goes smoothly, so Massimo gave me a room to get ready in. Mamma, Gemma, and Fia came with me. We had some people come in to do our hair and makeup, and I invited the De Luca women to join us. Sarita politely accepted the invitation, and Vita not so politely declined.
I glance at her through the mirror and again take in her appearance. She’s hard not to gawk at. Sarita is absolutely stunning. Tall, leggy, dirty blonde hair that falls into silky waves to the middle of her back, big, bold blue eyes, full pouty lips, perfect set of teeth, and dimples when she smiles. She’s a knock-out.
My brother was an idiot to fuck things up with her. I get that he fell in love, and supposedly, it’s something you can’t help but come on . How could he have even looked at another woman when that was supposed to be his future wife? Hell, if I were told to marry her, I wouldn’t hesitate to accept.
“Thank you, Sarita. Will your mother be joining us?”
Her perfect smile and posture never falter. “I can’t be sure. She knows where we are, so I’m sure she’ll come to us at some point before the party starts.”
Nodding my head with a smile, I reach for my glass of champagne. “Don’t drink too much before the party, piccolina . You don’t want to greet your guests drunk,” my mother chastises.
“Oh, Mamma.” I roll my eyes.
“Massimo is going to drool over you in that dress, like for real,” Fia says, and I feel my cheeks heat at the thought of him finding me attractive on any given day.
I give a nervous chuckle. “I don’t think Massimo is the kind of man to drool.”
The women all chuckle, and I glance over at Gemma. She still finds every opportunity when we’re alone to ask me if I’m still sure about this. I feel like she’s under the impression that I might be brainwashed or something. We may be twins, but we’re polar opposites regarding what we expect out of life.
Walking to her, I take her hand in mine, reassuringly squeezing it. “I’m okay, Gemma. I swear. Please stop worrying about me,” I murmur to her.
“Just please promise me, Alessia. If you have any doubts at all, don’t go through with it. You have time. And if you do go through with it, please please please tell Babbo if he mistreats you. Don’t let your pride get in the way.”
“I promise I won’t let myself become a weak and pathetic woman,” I muse, and it seems to work as she smiles. “I can take care of myself, you know that. Plus, we have four older brothers who taught us not to take any shit.”
“Just don’t think you can handle everything on your own.”
“Okay, I promise.”
We’re all sitting around sipping on champagne and chit-chatting when I decide it’s time to get down there. My perfectionist needs me to check to ensure everything is under control.
When I hit the top of the steps, I stop in my tracks, and so does Massimo, who is ascending them. His hazel eyes grow darker as he takes me in. My dress is a black silk floor-length gown. It’s strapless with a deep neck plunge and form-fitting down to my upper thighs, where it then falls loosely. There’s a slit on one side that goes up to my mid-thigh to show off one leg and my black strappy heel. I had felt beautiful in this dress, even though it’s simple with no frills, but with the way Massimo looks at me…to have a man like him slip down his mask without thought or control…it’s empowering and somewhat intoxicating.
As he checks me out, I do the same to him. He’s wearing a classy black suit with silk lapels and a silk bowtie. He fills everything out to perfection. His broad shoulders are the sexiest thing ever. So strong looking and masculine. The muscles in his arms and chest are hard to hide, and I cannot wait to see what he looks like unobscured.
His feet begin moving, the space between us dwindling. He stops on the step right below me. So close. Closer than we’ve ever been before. I can smell the fresh, manly scent coming off him and the hint of mint from his breath. Even with him a step lower and the heels I have on, he’s still taller than me and twice the width. I wonder what it’ll feel like to have his massive body over mine. Lips parted, hair askew, heavily breathing. Okay, need to get my lady parts in check .
“You look devastating, Alessia.” The depth in his voice has my stomach doing flips.
Keeping my features cool, I reply, “Thank you, Massimo. You look very handsome.” Agonizingly handsome.
His lips twitch as he tries to bite back his smile but gives me a handsome smirk. He turns and offers me his elbow, and I loop my hand around the crook of it. Pretending not to take notice of his massive bicep, I hold onto the railing with my other hand, and we descend the stairs together.
“Were there any problems today with setting up?”
“None at all. It came together nicely.”
“And what about security?”
“I have Monte and another one of my guys who will be on you all evening. Do not leave the room without them,” he says sternly.
I understand the severity of having a detail on me tonight, so I ignore the instant agitation of feeling scolded like a child. “Got it.”
“The Gallos are coming,” he says when we reach the ground floor.
I come to a halt and look up at him. “The Gallos? Why—”
“I’m sorry if that makes you uncomfortable, but they would be insulted if not invited.” I glance away and swallow hard. “Hey.” His voice is abnormally soft. When I look up at him, I find his head bent down some, and the look in his eyes is almost warm. “You have nothing to worry about, Alessia.”
My sudden apprehension abashes me. It’s unlike me to let anything other than valor and gut show, but the thought of facing the Gallos has somehow caused an unwelcome trepidation. Perhaps it’s the reminder of taking a life, and how much I enjoyed it…
I paste on a confident smile and chuckle. “I appreciate your reassurance, Massimo, but I’m not worried about facing them.” I propel us forward, and he continues with me, but I can feel him stealing glances at my profile.
He was lucky to die at my hands. The barbaric things my brothers would have done to him if he succeeded at violating me, he would be begging for hell to come and take him. I was merciful.
But I know the Gallos still hold a grudge against me. It all circles back to me being the wrong gender. If it were a man to commit the crime, all would be forgotten and forgiven. But since I have a vagina, I’m not supposed to protect myself or spill any blood.
But I am unlike anything women are portrayed to be.
I can protect myself, and I will spill blood.