Chapter 8
India
“This is not how I imagined my life to be,” I whisper, staring out at the beautiful landscape. I went from graduating Summa Cum Laude with a degree in business management at Regents University located in London to becoming a pawn in my daddy’s business dealings.
“My father wasn’t always like this, you know.
He used to be a very noble, but it seemed like one day he changed overnight.
Sometimes he wasn’t the best person to be around because of his temper, but me and my little brother, Isaac, who's two years younger than me, learned to stay out of his way when he was in one of his moods. My mother, Adaego, knew how to calm him down. It was like she had some kind of magical touch to soothe him. He never really paid much attention to me. He spent more time with Isaac, I guess because he’s a boy.
I was sent to a private school in the states when I entered secondary school.
I was scared at first, but then I began to love my freedom, what little bit I had, daddy made sure I had escorts.
When I would come home on my leaves, I barely saw him or Isaac.
I spent most of my breaks re-bonding with my mother.
Isaac and I used to be so close, but my time away drew us apart.
Daddy was grooming him to work by his side.
At the encouragement of my mother, I attended university in London and graduated with honors.
My mother was the only one to come to my graduation.
She made up an excuse as to why daddy and Isaac couldn’t make it, but I knew it was bull shit.
It’s always been business before family.
My mother promised that when we flew back that afternoon, they would be at my graduation party.
” I pause as I think back to that night.
Turning to face Davide, I continue. “That was the night that started it all. My mother had invited many of our friends and family, and well, my daddy invited his business associates. Though it was a celebration for my accomplishment, it also felt like I was on a selling block. My daddy would take me around introducing me to his associates, who would hold my hand longer than they should or would stare at me like I was a piece of meat to a starving man. It was very uncomfortable for me, and I guess my mother sensed it because she came and got me to open my gifts. I found out later from Isaac that daddy was showing me off to potential suitors for marriage. I was appalled! Some of these men were the same age as he was for Christ’s sake! ”
Davide sits quietly, taking in my every word.
“When I questioned him about it, he told me as my father and Chief, it was his duty to select the best suitor for me.”
Davide holds his hand up. “An arranged marriage?”
“Yes,” I reply, not sure if I should continue as I watch the vein on his neck begin to pulse faster, but he makes a motion with his hand for me to keep going.
“I told him I didn’t need him to choose my husband and that I was well capable of doing that myself.
We got into a big argument, and it ended with him slapping the shit out of me.
He told me he had the right to do with my life how he saw fit.
” I let out a weak giggle. “I can say that it was a real eye-opener. My daddy only cared about money and power. After he saw how his associates responded to me, he began making me accompany him and Isaac on their meetings. He would use me as an extra bonus, promising these men his consideration for an arranged marriage if they did business with him. Some were gentlemen and denied his offering while others jumped at the chance. When their business was done, he would give them some lame excuse and withdraw his proposal for the arrangement. He loved to show me off like I was his prized jewel, which was one of the reasons I was with him when he met up with you. The other was to meet with the man he actually did arrange for me to marry regarding our wedding. Daddy knew he hit pay dirt when he promised my hand in marriage to this man. That’s why he wants me back so bad.
The guy, Nelson, is a drug lord in Miami who daddy has done business in the past with.
He took me to their last meeting a month ago, and that’s when Nelson took an interest in me.
He made me feel uncomfortable by the way he was staring at me.
It was like he was undressing me with his eyes.
At one point, he and daddy stepped out of the room, and when they returned, I found out not only had Nelson closed his deal with daddy, but he had also given him extra money to seal the marriage.
I was a fiancée to a man I knew nothing about.
Now that I’m not there, daddy can’t live up to his end of the deal. ”
“Do you want to be with this man?”
“I don’t even know this man, Davide. My first time ever seeing or knowing who he was when I went to the meeting and let’s just say from his demeanor, he was not a nice guy.
So, no, I don’t want to be with him. Like I told my daddy, I am very capable of finding my own husband, if and when I’m ready for that. ”
“Hmmm,” Davide hums.
“How bout I make a deal with you?” I offer.
He raises his eyebrow. “What kind of deal because at this moment you have nothing to offer but then again...” He scans my body. I throw my arms over my chest, causing him to laugh out loud.
“Look, you want your stuff back, and I want my freedom. So, what if I help you get your stuff, and in doing so, you let me go?”
He massages his beard, contemplating my idea. “I’ll consider it, but if I do, I want the information on that Nelson guy too.”
“Deal,” I excitedly agree, sticking my hand out for him to shake.
Davide stares at it before engulfing my hand with his large one.
I don’t know how a simple handshake turned into something sensual, but it did as Davide lightly caresses my wrist with his fingers before bringing my hand to his lips softly kissing it.
His eyes seem to twinkle as he stares up at me.
Shit, this man was dangerous. The sides of his mouth turn up as I slowly pull my hand back.
“Come, let me show you to your room. I’m sure you want to freshen up before we have lunch.
We can finish discussing the particulars of our deal while we eat.
I had Ventura put some of my sister's clothes in the room for you. You two are about the same size. If you give me your measurements, I will have one of the boutiques in the city send you up some clothes.” Davide states as he stands.
“I don’t think that’s necessary, I won’t be here long enough to need a new wardrobe,” I tell him.
A ‘humph’ leaves him as he walks around the desk to the door. He opens it waiting for me to join him. Don’t look in his eyes, don’t look in his eyes, I repeat to myself as I make my way to the door staring at the glazed wooden floor.
“India,” Davide seductively calls. His timbre had my pulse racing. I stop in front of him. “Look at me.”
The command in his voice instantly had me raising my head, only to be trapped within those beautiful brown eyes.
“You are a Princess, never walk with your head down.” He soothingly says as he reaches out and runs his finger down my cheek. Lord help me because Davide Russo was putting a spell on me.
I tried to keep as much distance between Davide and me, as he decided at the last minute to give me an impromptu tour of his house, and I must say it was beautiful.
I didn’t get a chance to fully look at everything earlier when he whisked me to his office, but this time, he showed me every room that was on the first floor, which was decorated in great detail.
He did, however, mention that he didn’t decorate any of it himself.
His mother and sister would have to take credit for that.
Davide then took me through the den that led out to the spacious backyard.
A large circular infinity pool sat in the middle of it with matching leisure chairs and umbrellas.
The grounds-men were at work, maintaining the landscape that looked as if it should have been in a magazine.
When he finished the tour, he took me upstairs. The hallway went either to the left or right, and I followed Davide as he turned to the right. We passed two doors before he stopped at one on the left-hand side.
“This is your room.” He states, opening the door.
I step in, looking around. It’s just as beautiful as the parts of the house she showed me.
A King-sized bed sat in the middle as matching dressers and furniture were neatly placed around the room.
Davide walks over to one of the doors in the room and opens it also.
“This is the master bathroom. Everything you need should be in here, if not let me know and I’ll make sure Ventura gets it.
” I nod as he watches me peruse the room.
When my eyes meet his, he quickly looks away.
“I’ll leave you to clean up. There should be clothes hanging in the closet for you.
” He points to the other door. “I’ll be back shortly to get you for lunch. ”
As he makes his way to the door, I call out to him. “Davide,” He turns to me. “Thank you.” He tilts his head before exiting the room then closing the door.
Seeing the knob, I scurry to the door and realize there’s no lock on it.
I frantically try to twist it, but it won’t turn.
Damn, I think as I press my back against the door, then slowly lower myself to the floor.
I take back my thank you. Even with all that niceness and charm, Davide was still a brute.
Almost an hour later, I had showered and put on a pair of skinny jeans and a t-shirt I found in the closet.
Davide was right; everything I needed was in the bathroom and then some, which led me to wonder if this is where he kept the women when they visited him.
The brushed I used to tame my wet locks into a ponytail was brand new in the wrapper, just like the toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss.
Even the shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion had never been touched.
There was even a pair of fuzzy slippers sitting on the floor by the bed.
Yeah, he must’ve had a supply on hand when he entertained female company.
I was lying across the bed on my stomach, trying to figure out a plan of escape when I heard the knob twist. Turning my head just as Davide opened the door, my breath loses me as he stands in the doorway wearing a white tank top, jeans that hung low on his waist, and a pair of white Nike slides.
His hair was still damp, but he had brushed it to the back.
This was not the same Davide that left me an hour ago.
“Damn,” He slurs, taking in my view. I realized how I was laying had my ass on display in these jeans. Quickly, I roll to my side and sit up.
“Is lunch ready?” I inquire as I slide off the bed and stand. Davide’s nostrils flare as he continues to hawk me. “Davide!” He snaps his eyes up to mine.
“Oh, sorry. Yes, lunch is ready.” He rushes out.
Maybe if I used my feminine wilds, I might be able to convince him to let me go.
Thinking it just might work, I seductively stroll over to him, making sure I put an extra twist in my step.
I hear a low growl come from him as I get closer.
Holding in my laugh, I say, “Sounds like you’re just as hungry as I am. ”
“Careful, angel, our hunger might be two different things.” He warns as he shuts the door. I dare not look at him as I make haste to the stairs then to the dining room. Behind me, I hear him snicker at my actions.