Chapter 21
~Elle~
This is craziness. I was so pissed at Dominic last night. I still can’t believe that he called the hospital I work at and informed them that I wasn’t returning to work. The audacity of the man.
Then he had the nerve to throw me over his shoulder and march out of the dining room with me like a caveman. I try not to think about the looks on the faces of everyone present and the servants we passed as he carted me up to his bedroom. It was so humiliating.
And the thought of what happened in his bedroom brings heat to my cheeks, causing me to blush.
I’ve been doing that a lot lately. I was putty in his hands once he’d brought me to an orgasm.
The handsome devil knew exactly what he was doing.
He had known that I’d agree to anything for the opportunity to further explore intimacy with him.
Honestly, I understand the reasons for his action, but that doesn’t mean that I’ve forgiven him for acting without consulting me.
After all, it’s my life and my career. Something I’ve sacrificed for years to achieve.
I’ve agreed to this marriage as I’m smart enough to realize that it is for my own safety.
Dominic has made it clear that the reason for a marriage between us is to keep me safe.
It will also give us the opportunity to explore the attraction which exists between us.
There was no talk of commitment. I’ll have to remind myself not to get emotionally attached.
But if I’m honest with myself, that train has already left the station.
I’ve already begun to develop feelings for Dominic.
After waking up this morning to his empty bed I was disappointed that he had already left. The only evidence that he shared the bed with me is how his scent clings to the sheets and my skin and the indentation left on his pillow by his head.
According to the bedside clock it was eight thirty in the morning.
Throwing back the sheets, I realized that I was still wearing the same clothes from the night before.
Not wanting the servants to find out that I had spent the night in their boss’s bedroom, I rushed down the corridor to my own room.
That’s where I’ve been for the last hour after showering and changing into jeans and a T-shirt.
Reclining on the sofa in my room, I attempt to read again.
There is a knock on the door. It was Anna who brought me a tray.
“Good morning, Miss Elle. The boss left early this morning and he asked that breakfast be delivered to your room.” She walks past me to put the tray down on a small table in front of the couch.
“He also mentioned that Mrs Morelli will be joining you today to assist with preparations for the wedding.” “Thank you, Anna and please call me Elle.” She agrees and looks like she wants to say something but is holding back. So, I look at her with an encouraging smile.
“Ah, congratulations Miss, ah Elle on your engagement. I’m sure you and Mr. Vitelli will be happy.
I’ve never seen him look at another woman the way he looks at you.
” “Thank you, Anna.” She leaves me to enjoy breakfast. I’m left feeling a little uneasy.
Seems as though everyone around us thinks that we are marrying for romantic reasons.
I hate the idea of misleading them. I return to the couch and dig into my breakfast.
I wonder why Dominic had to leave the house so early in the morning and when he would be back?
I think that I will explore the mansion while I wait for Serafina.
As I’m about to leave my room one of the maids, Julie, informs me that there was a delivery for me.
I follow her to the foyer, where there are stacks of boxes.
I’m confused because I wasn't expecting a delivery.
I rifled through one of the boxes and discovered that it contained my belongings from the apartment in Upstate. .
How the hell did my things get here? Dominic!
Damn it!! He has done it again. Even after our discussion last night about including me in any decision that affects my life.
And only a few hours after I discovered that he had my belongings shipped—without first consulting me.
Exasperating man. As I open a few more of the boxes confirming that these are indeed mine, I’m fuming with anger.
“Miss Elle, should I have these taken to your room?” The poor girl is probably wondering what she had done wrong.
I force myself to smile. “Yes please. Is Dominic back yet?” “Yes, he just returned. He's in his office, but—” I don’t wait for her to finish.
I’m already making my way there. Seething with rage.
Ignoring her calls behind me. I throw the door open.
“Dominic, damn you! I thought I told you last night that you don't have the right to control my life.” I stopped suddenly realizing that he was not alone. Dante and Dario are occupying the two chairs that are in front of his desk. They turned to look at my entrance. Dominic rises from behind his desk like a king from his throne. “Elle? What’s this about?”
“What’s this about you ask? I'll tell you what this is about. Can you please explain to me why there are boxes sitting in the foyer with my belongings—things that should be in my apartment? “Calm down.”
Why the hell does he keep telling me to calm down? When he very well knows that it has the opposite effect on me. “Don’t you dare tell me to calm down okay.” By this time, he had come around his desk and was standing in front of me.
“Listen Elle, we’ve discussed this. You can’t go back to your job or to your apartment.
I had my men pack up your stuff to be shipped on the night of your attack.
Your landlord has already been informed that you are not returning.
” The more he says the angrier I get. He had strangers going through my personal belongings.
I cringe at the image of them handling my underwear and other personal items.
Dominic reaches across the distance separating us to touch my arms. It was only then that I looked at him closely.
I gasp when the notice splatters of blood on his hands and on his exposed neck.
I also recognize the undeniable scent of blood.
My anger is suddenly replaced by confusion, concern and panic.
“Dominic!” “Wha..what happened, did you get hurt?” I reach over to open his shirt—tugging the fabric apart and running my hands over his torso to look for any signs of injury. He grabs my hands and presses them firmly against his chest to keep them still.
“I’m fine Elle. The blood is not mine. We had some trash to take out this morning.” His words somehow penetrate my panic. I’m relieved that he was not harmed. But this is a stark reminder of what Dominic does for a living. And it makes me feel uneasy.
Dario and Dante, who were quiet throughout our exchange, are now standing beside the chairs they previously occupied.
“Elle, my brother has shared with us the good news. I’m looking forward to having a new sister.
” I'm touched by his words since I never had a family. Why is everyone acting like this is a real marriage? Don’t they all know that Dominic is doing this to protect me?
“You’re family now and we protect family.
” Dario says. I suddenly have glassy eyes and have developed the urge to cry.
“Thank you… I don’t know what to say. I never had any family before.
” My voice breaks with emotions. Dante and Dario both give me a quick embrace.
They then left me alone with Dominic. The room’s quiet and the weight of Dominic’s gaze is steady reminding me that I’m no longer alone.
He leads me to a chair. “Are you okay, Angel.” I press my palms together until they stop trembling—taking a deep breath, finally getting my emotions under control. He sat on the edge of his desk, close but not imposing, his presence steady. The nearness of him was both unsettling and comforting.
“Elle, my only goal is to protect you. I never meant to control your life. You have to trust me—I made the choice to pack your things and end the lease because I thought it was the safest way forward. I’m sorry Angel.
It just isn’t safe for you to return to your previous life.
” I let out a slow sigh. “I do understand, Dominic. But all I’m asking is to be part of the decisions that shape my future. Please, involve me.”
“I had no control over my life growing up. I need to retain some control.” I look at Dominic pleading that he understands why this is important to me.
My voice trembled, but my eyes held his, pleading that he understood.
For a heartbeat, the silence stretched between us, heavy and unyielding.
Then his expression softened, the steel in his gaze tempered by something quieter.
“Okay, I'll try to do better by involving you in decisions that affect you.”
Relief flickers through me. “That’s all I ask.
” I then turned on my heel and walked out of his office without uttering another word.
The echo of my footsteps sharp against the polished floor.
I didn’t look back. And Dominic didn’t try to stop me from leaving.
The door clicked shut behind me, leaving Dominic alone in the silence of his office—and leaving me with the first taste of control I’d claimed for myself in a while.