Chapter 18
EIGHTEEN
Capri
I sat on a stone bench in the vestibule of the vintage Italian restaurant and admired the old photographs of scenes from small cafes and bars throughout Italy.
As I took in the black-and-white images on the wall, I imagined strolling the streets of Venice, Florence, and Verona with Sebastian.
Well, maybe not Verona since that reminded me of Romeo and Juliet.
Their tragedy hit a little too close to home at the moment.
Sebastian could take me away from here. As much as I loved my parents, I didn’t see any way forward with my new relationship until my father and his ex-best friend made peace with one another. If I had one birthday wish, it would be to stop this feud.
“There you are.” Christopher joined me in my quiet hideaway as I waited for my date. “Your father is looking for you.” He glanced around the small space. “What are you doing out here?”
“I’m admiring all the pretty pictures.” I motioned at the wall. “Aren’t they lovely?”
“The pictures aren’t the only beautiful things in this room.”
A sweet, shy smile crossed his lips. His soft voice contrasted his dark eyes and hair.
He wasn’t overly muscular, but he was lean and fit.
Maybe a swimmer or a runner. He was cute in a boyish kind of way.
Standing next to me in his khaki pants and crisp button-down shirt he reminded me of a college student.
Not yet the man he would become in a few years.
Nothing like the man who had rocked my world.
A few weeks ago Christopher might have been appealing to me, but I had skipped right over the men in my age group when I gave myself to Sebastian. There was no going back.
“I think the woman in this picture looks like a young Sophia Loren,” I said. “She’s so beautiful.”
“Hmm.” He inspected the worn photograph under the glass. “It could actually be her.”
“Have you been to Italy?” I asked.
He nodded. “A few times. You?”
“I’ve joined my parents on their wedding anniversary a couple of times.” I stood next to him and gazed at the pictures. “But I was young and don’t remember many details. My grandparents live there, but they come here to visit us most of the time.”
“Perhaps we could take a trip.”
“Us?” What a bizarre thing to ask someone you hardly knew.
“Why not?” He laughed. “It seems like as good a place as any to get to know one another. It’s a spectacular country with plenty of wineries and delicious food.”
“I’m sure, but why would you want to go there with me?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“We don’t know each other.” I laughed, trying to keep this awkward moment light. “This is only the second time we’ve met.”
“You left so abruptly the other night, we didn’t have a chance to get acquainted. I’m hoping tonight will be different. Then we won’t be strangers.”
“Oh.” I searched the street outside the restaurant, hoping Sebastian would arrive and end this conversation. “A few of my friends are in the restaurant. I could introduce you.”
“I’ve spoken to a couple of them, and they seem very nice, but I’m not interested in them.”
“Don’t be so quick to make a decision.” I twisted the ends of my hair before draping it over the back of my shoulder. “You never know when you’ll find someone who will change your life.”
All it took was a video and a glimpse of a tattoo to change my destiny.
“I’ve already met her.”
When he reached for my hand, I stepped back before he could touch me.
“Sorry,” he said. “I shouldn’t be so forward, but hasn’t your father told you why I’m here?”
“Business?”
“I don’t want to refer to our arrangement as business.”
“Our like in me and you?” What’s going on here? This went from awkward to awry in three seconds. “I don’t… What exactly are you doing in the city? What arrangement?”
“I’m here to help bring our families together, and our fathers thought the most appropriate way to do that is to, well… I’m sorry. I thought you knew.”
Hell no! “Wait, you think my father would… Obviously, you’re mistaken. You seem like a really great guy, but I’m not up for auction.”
“Auction?” He laughed. “That isn’t what this is.”
“I’ve been looking for the two of you.” My father stood in the archway that led to the vestibule. “I’m pleased to see you’re getting acquainted with one another.”
“I bet you are.” I hurried into the restaurant. “Christopher was explaining your arranged marriage plans for me.” What the actual fuck!
“That isn’t how I presented it.” Christopher followed me into the restaurant. “Capri misunderstood. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize,” my father said. “This is my fault. I haven’t had the opportunity to explain to Capri what I need from her, but once I do, she’ll understand.”
“What you need from me?” What century are we in?
“Christopher, can you give me a moment with my daughter?”
“Of course.” Christopher nodded. “I didn’t mean to overstep.”
“You didn’t. You’ve been more than patient.” My dad patted his shoulder. “I’m going to make a toast to the birthday girl. We’ll join you in the dining area in a few minutes.”
“I’ll get you a prosecco.” Christopher smiled at me before hurrying into the dining room.
“He’s an exceptional young man.” My father leaned against the Tuscany-style hostess stand adorned with authentic stone. “Young being the operative word.” He arched a brow at me. “He’s better suited for you.”
“Oh my God! This is about Sebastian?” I shouted. “Are you serious?”
“Nothing should be about him.” He exhaled a frustrated breath. “These plans for you to meet Christopher were in place long before you had that unfortunate meeting with a man who should have been long forgotten. I never should have allowed you to go to Greece.”
“How could you think I would agree to whatever it is you’re suggesting I do with Christopher? You don’t get to decide who I should date, much less marry.”
“No one is talking about marriage at the moment,” he said. “Stop being so dramatic.”
“Christopher said you wanted to bring our families together.”
“I do.” He nodded. “The Lazaro family will be good for business.”
“I don’t want any part of your business.”
“Really?” He shook his head. “Do you think you could live the life you do without my business? Where do you think all that money comes from for clothes, shoes, trips, school, cars, vacation homes, and whatever the hell else you need?”
“I never asked where your money came from.” I didn’t need to know. I did what I was told because he was my dad. I never questioned him, but what he wanted me to do now was out of the question. “I’ve always listened to you.”
“I don’t ask much from you, but now I need your help.”
“I don’t want to run a hotel or marry a stranger. I’m an adult now. I need to figure out who I am.”
“I can respect that, but you’re still too young to know what you want. If you have to keep telling me you’re an adult, you’re not one yet,” he said. “You’re going to take the rest of the summer to get to know Christopher. I’m certain you’ll see things my way.”
“If I don’t?”
“You don’t want the answer to that question.” When he moved toward me, I backed away. I had never seen him look at me with such disappointment. But then again, I had never defied him. I always fell in line. “This is all going to work out. You’ll see.”
“Dad, please.”
“Your mother has done everything to make this party special for you,” he said. “Let’s not ruin it. Give Christopher a chance.”
“I don’t want to give him a chance.”
The door swung open, and a rush of humid air swept inside, bringing with it the scent I had become so reliant on. Warm, masculine, mine…
Turning my head in the direction of the vestibule, my gaze connected with Sebastian’s extraordinary green eyes.
He stood under the archway, allowing me to take in his perfect black dress pants and crisp gray shirt.
Not a hair out of place or a crease where it didn’t belong.
Did he know what him not wearing a tie did to me?
My sexy silver assassin to the rescue. A girl could get used to him. This girl already relied on him to breathe.
“What is he doing here?” My father gritted his teeth.
“I invited him.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s my birthday and Mom said I could invite my friends.”
“He is not your friend.”
“Sebastian.” I hurried over to him once he entered the restaurant and threw my arms around him, hugging him as tight as I could. “I’m so happy you’re here.”
He released me when my father cleared his throat but didn’t acknowledge him. “Are you okay?” he asked. “You appear to be upset.”
“She’s fine,” my dad said. “Obviously, you didn’t heed my warning.”
“What warning?” I glanced between the two of them. “You know what? I don’t want to know.”
I didn’t want to be in the middle of their issues. The exhaustion was next level.
“Happy birthday.” Sebastian placed his hand on my back and kissed my cheek. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” When he was close, nothing else mattered. “Sebastian will be joining us for dinner,” I said to my father. “It’s my birthday and that’s what I want.”
“Fine,” he said. “Don’t keep us waiting.”
He stormed into the dining room in a whirl of disapproval with a side of anger.
“Sorry.” I forced a smile. “I’m happy you’re here.”
“I’m here for you.” Sebastian took my hand. “I hope you know that.”
“Your life was a lot easier before I showed up.”
“My life was boring before you.” He stroked my cheek. “What did I walk in on? It looked rough.”
“It was nothing.” Telling Sebastian, my possessive older guy, that my father planned to marry me off to another might not be the best topic to bring up right now. “We should go. My dad is waiting.”
“I don’t take orders from your father. I never have.”
“I don’t want you to fight with him.”
“I came here to celebrate you.” He tugged me to his chest. “This is a special day. I don’t want you to be sad.”
“I’m not.” I scratched my fingers along his manicured facial hair. “When I’m with you, I’m never sad.”
“Is this dress a Capri creation?” He ran his hand down my bare back, forcing a hot, violent chill to roll through me. “You’re stunning.”
“I designed it before I left for Greece and haven’t had a chance to debut it yet.”
“I’m in awe of your talent.” He lowered his lips to mine. “I like you in white. Not only does it bring out your eyes, but it reminds me how pure and innocent you are.”
“Hmm…” I brushed my mouth along his. “I’m not so pure anymore. Innocent girls don’t do the things you make me do.”
“You’ll always be innocent to me, because I’m the only man who will ever make you do those things.”
He pushed his tongue inside my mouth and kissed me as if we were alone in his bedroom. Unapologetic and careless as to who would discover us. I craved his touch. Desired his attention. If he wanted to take me out of here right now, I would go.
“Hades.” I set my hands on his muscular chest. “I would let you talk me into anything.”
“I know.” He winked. “But I’m going to follow your lead. If you want to walk into that room with me on your arm, I’ll go.”
“Why would you subject yourself to this?”
“I’ll do anything for you.” He held my face between his hands. “Whatever you need me to do.”
“Let’s get this dinner over with, because once we do, I’m going to Greece with you.” I lost myself in his gorgeous face. “As soon as you’re ready.”
“We’ll leave in the morning.”
Relief flooded my system. I had been agonizing over what to do for days, but now that I was in Sebastian’s arms, visualizing what a future could look like with him, my mind was made up. I wanted to go with him and realize my full potential.
The future was uncertain, but I knew my destiny didn’t include running a hotel in the Hamptons and being the bride of a man I was forced to marry. If I created some distance between me and my father, he would have to come to terms with my choices.
“You won’t regret this decision.” The bursts of sparks his passionate kiss ignited made me want to skip dinner and go straight to his bed. “I promise.”
“I believe you.” I took his hand. “Let’s get this over with.”
When he led me into the dining room, all the conversations seemed to cease.
I tightened my hold on Sebastian’s hand as we moved deeper into the room that sparkled with silver and pink balloons and white fairy lights twinkling around us.
His presence calmed me in such a chaotic situation.
Sharing the excitement and freshness of this budding relationship should have been a given.
I wanted my friends and family to know how valued Sebastian made me feel.
Couldn’t they see how much confidence he had instilled in me? How I thrived when he was close?
My mother shot daggers in our direction.
Maria glared at Sebastian before rolling her eyes at me.
If looks could kill, no one would ever need Sebastian’s services.
Benny and Christopher glanced at one another with what I could only describe as ‘what the fuck’ expressions.
My friends smiled at me, but curiosity dominated their faces.
I hadn’t told them I was seeing someone, but I was certain they never would have guessed the age-gap trope.
The one person who I thought would have had the biggest scowl on his face came toward us with two flutes of champagne.
This can’t be good.
My father approached us and smiled. “Perfect.” He handed me a flute. “Now I can make a toast.”
“You really don’t have to do that,” I said.
“Nonsense.” When he offered Sebastian a glass, I hoped he wasn’t about to poison him. “My daughter only turns twenty-one once. Do you remember when we were that age? How reckless we could be with our choices?”
Sebastian took the champagne from him and ignored his question.
“Can I have everyone’s attention?” My dad took another flute from the bar and raised it. “Before we celebrate the birthday girl, I’d like to introduce you all to Sebastian Zikos.” My dad smirked. “Capri’s godfather.”
FML… I chugged my drink before he could even start the toast. There wasn’t enough alcohol in this entire city to get me through this dinner.