CHAPTER 47 - ARIANNA
CHAPTER
Arianna
“HOW AM I SUPPOSED to get to the butter when you’re standing in front of the fridge?” I laugh, not protesting as Red takes the opportunity to pull me into his arms and kiss me like we haven’t just spent half the night fucking.
“Everything comes with a price, princess,” he murmurs, his hands snaking into the waistband of my trousers.
“I’m happy with that price...” My fingers find Red’s belt buckle, eager for him to take me once again before he leaves for the Scorpio Lounge. “I’m also happy coming... provided it’s you making me.”
“Nothing will give me further pleasure...”
“Oh!” Maria exclaims. “Sorry! I didn’t realize you were in here.”
Red’s face flashes with frustration. I know how he feels. It’s getting harder to have any privacy now that two of his guards are here besides Maria. “It won’t be forever,” I whisper before pulling away to smile at my sister. “I was about to make toast. Do you want some?”
Maria shakes her head and sits down at the table, playing nervously with her hands. “Why are those men here? They follow me everywhere.” She stops abruptly as one of Red’s guards enters the room, wordlessly hands him a copy of this morning’s paper, then steps back out of the room.
“See what I mean?” she continues. “How long will this continue? Furthermore, what went on last night? Where did you go?”
I glance at Red, annoyed to find his concentration on the newspaper. “Just something I needed to do, that’s all,” I mutter. We agreed we wouldn’t mention going to see Papà to Maria. Not yet. But he’s leaving me to explain this alone, and I’m not sure what to say.
“I’m not stupid.” Maria looks up with rare defiance.
“I know you’re protecting me and that Matteo intends to snatch me.
I also know a man got shot last night because I heard those other Bateman men talking.
I believe what you said about Matteo and Luca, okay, so you might as well tell me what’s happening. ”
Standing behind me, Red places his hand, still clutching the newspaper, on my shoulders. “We went to see your father.”
The feel of his hand erases my irritation at his lack of input, but telling Maria is the opposite of what we decided.
Maria fails to hide her surprise. “You went to see Papà, Arianna? Why? What... what did he say? What did you say?”
Pulling out a chair, I sit down and take her hands. “To call off your wedding.”
Maria’s bottom lip trembles. “And... and has he?”
I look at Red questioningly, realizing he was looking in the paper for a press release from Papà, but his expression doesn’t fill me with hope. My heart sinks. I should have known my words wouldn’t be heeded. They never are.
With a dent threatening my newfound confidence, I sigh. “I told Papà that if he didn’t publicly call the wedding off, then I’d ensure everyone knew about Matteo’s plans.”
“And it worked.” Red’s face breaks into a grin as he places the newspaper on the table. “Galvatore has folded. You did it, princess. Look.”
I avidly scan the brief article on page seven:
London Businessman Cancels Daughter’s Wedding
In a shock decision, London businessman, Emiliano Galvatore, has called off the planned wedding between his youngest daughter, Maria, to the younger son of the Bristoni empire, Luca.
Mr Galvatore did not offer any reasons behind this sudden turnaround over the ceremony due to take place at the Savoy this Saturday (30 November), aside from a short cryptic statement: “Certain issues showed this association is not pragmatic”.
Hundreds of guests from London’s elite circles will be disappointed over the cancellation, leaving many speculating whether there’s a connection with the untimely death of the elder Bristoni son, Roberto, who died unexpectedly under tragic, yet strange circumstances only a short time ago, quickly followed by his father.
Roberto Bristoni previously married Mr Galvatore’s eldest daughter, Arianna, who then married known rival businessman, Redmond Bateman, within a week of her first husband’s death.
I blink. “The paper has made the cancellation look like it’s our fault?”
“The paper or your Papà?” Red raises an eyebrow. “Anyway, does it matter? The wedding is off. Galvatore has capitulated.”
“Yes, but...” I stop, realizing Maria is silently crying, her hands wringing in her lap. “What’s wrong? Please don’t tell me you’re upset that you’re not marrying Luca?” I cut Red a look when he makes no effort to hide the rolling of his eyes.
“It’s not that... I understand. It’s just... it’s been planned for so long. It’s what I knew was happening, and now... now I don’t know what I’ll do. I-I haven’t planned for anything else in my life.”
“Then it’s time to make new plans,” I say brightly, smiling at my sister.
Matteo won’t be happy about this, but my plan has worked. Papà wouldn’t risk being tarred with the public embarrassment and speculation if I informed the world of what Matteo and Luca are doing.
“Excuse me for a moment, ladies. I need to take this,” Red says as his ringing mobile breaks the silence.