Chapter Five
Francesca
It’s a night of chaos and loud chatter set with the backdrop of a holiday wonderland. Christmas music is serenading us in the background, doing nothing to make this a jolly occasion. I’m amongst ruthless men who are all boasting over their latest illegal endeavors. Laughing and celebrating their crimes as if they’re big accomplishments. And when their attention is tuned into me, they all pat their boss on the back, praising him for how he chose wisely. “She’s quite the looker. It’s going to be fun breeding that one.”
That comment really irked me. And it seemed as if Enzo was irritated by it as well. He chastised his cousin for making the crude remark, warning him to watch his mouth. The man cowered in response, proving exactly how powerful my future husband is. Though, I don’t see why the comment bothered him so much. That is the reason he chose me as his bride. It’s not like he chose me because he thought I had a bubbly personality or because we actually enjoy each other’s company. He hasn’t even spent a moment alone with me to get to know me better. It’s been game on since the moment I arrived.
I’m so ready for the night to be over. My mind is spinning out of control and my nerves are completely shot. Plus, my cheeks hurt. I can’t even hold a fake smile any longer. And I don’t want to hear one more comment about what a gorgeous couple we make. We aren’t a couple. We are just the Boss and his prisoner.
“Are your feet hurting, my darling?”
I shift my attention up from the wooden floor that’s sparkling with glitter. The shiny gold flecks do nothing to pretty up the grimy feelings of the night. Enzo is looking at me as if he’s actually concerned for my well-being. Though, I know I’m being presumptuous. I’m sure he’s merely trying to end the conversation he’s having with his cousin.
“Yes, they are.”
I nod, playing my part again, although, they really do hurt. I opted to go with a more conservative dress, but I kept his choice in heels, and these five-inch silver stilettos are killing my feet.
“Come. Let’s go take a seat.”
He tips his head at the man then leads me to a table in the back corner of the room. Tucked away from the noise.
“Give it to me,”
he states, reaching for my calf and pulling my leg onto his lap. He slips my sparkly shoe off and presses his strong fingers into the arch of my foot, rubbing the ache away. I’m shocked. Completely dumbfounded that the boss is touching my sweaty foot, and actually showing me some kindness.
“I apologize for Luigi’s breeding remark earlier.”
And he shocks me once again. “He is a chauvinist pig who was born without a filter.”
“But he’s right,”
I state. “That is the reason I’m being forced into this marriage. To give you an heir.”
The rapidly-ticking pulse at the side of his clenched jaw indicates that he doesn’t seem to be pleased by my remark. Maybe I should’ve used my filter. But why deny the truth?
“‘Forced’ is a rather strong word, wouldn’t you say? An agreement was made, and now I expect you to uphold your end of the deal.”
“Deal?”
What deal? I didn’t agree to anything. I was told I’m to marry the man. My father said Enzo chose me, and I didn’t have a choice in the matter.
“Please don’t play ignorant,”
he grits. “In exchange for your hand in marriage, your father’s debts with me were cleared, and you were given two million dollars to start your pet shelter.”
WHAT?!
My father failed to mention those details. And I certainly haven’t seen a cent in my bank account, so where exactly is the money?
I pull my foot from his hands and abruptly stand from the table, scanning the room for my dad. He’s over laughing by the bar, having a jolly old time. I hobble one-heeled across the room, anger running like poison through my veins. “You never told me about the deal you made.”
I stop before him. “You were paid in exchange for my hand in marriage? Where’s the money, Dad?” I want to give it back to Enzo because I’m not for sale. My father can pay his own debts.
His neck and face turn fire-engine red, as he gulps down the panic that seems to be caught in his throat. “I put it in an account for you, Franky. It’s there when you need it. But you should be focused on your wedding right now.”
Bullshit.
“You’re a liar. You lied to me about this arrangement, and I know you’re lying about the money.”
“You said she agreed to the terms. You gave me her account number.”
Enzo’s voice seethes from behind me. He’s a rigid wall at my back, blocking us from any onlookers. “I wired it to her. Why the hell are you keeping it?”
“No. I didn’t agree to anything.”
I shake my head. “He must’ve given you his own account information. He told me I didn’t have a choice in the matter.”
And here I thought my father had given up his gambling ways. But he hasn’t. And now he’s gambled my freedom away.
“I… I…”
“Quit your stuttering, Dad, and spare me your lame excuse. You’re going to return the money, and then you’re going to figure out how to pay your boss back on your own. I will not be bailing you out of your mess this time.”
Heaven knows I’ve gotten him out of many debts in the past, handing over all my hard-earned cash because he over-bet in a poker match, or got carried away at the racetrack.
“I can’t return the money. I don’t have it.”
My fingers clench into balls, my painted red nails leaving crescents in my palms. He spent it. “Two million dollars? You spent two million dollars? On what?”
It’s taking all the strength I have to keep my fists down by my sides. I seriously want to hit the man. I know exactly how he spent the money. When I feel Enzo’s hands close over mine, my fists loosen.
“I thought I could turn the two million into four so you could have more for your business.”
I finally understand why my mother left him. “You know the reason why you always lose at the poker table?”
I lock my fingers with Enzo’s, thankful for the support he’s offering as my world crumbles in front of me. “It’s because you have the worst poker face. You’re a liar and a cheat, and I’ve lost all respect for you.”
I turn to face the man who unbeknownst to him was swindled and led astray. No wonder he was so callous and was acting as if it was a transaction. It was. He was under the impression I’d agreed to this; he paid heftily for me. God. And now, I’m the one in debt to the man. “Can I stay at your place until the wedding?”
His brows draw up as he studies my face. “I will not hold you to the arrangement, Francesca. He will pay for his deception, not you.”
In other words, my father will lose his life. Though I hate my dad for what he’s done, I know it’s a sickness.
“I’ll make a deal of my own with you. You spare his life and make him pay off every single penny he owes, debt included, and I’ll happily walk down the aisle with you.”
His nostrils flare as my fingers trail their way up his broad chest.
“Are you sure you want to be my wife? I’m not going to be able to keep my hands off you. If we are to marry, I’ll be making you mine.”
The inuendo is clear, and surprisingly, I’m no longer opposed to the idea of fucking him.
“Yes, I’m sure.”
His body grows stiffer as his eyes darken. And I can feel that something else is stiff as well, setting off that flutter again in my stomach. “You owe your daughter your gratitude, Lanaldo. She just saved your life.”
My father starts blabbering about how sorry he is, but I have no use for it at this time. I just want to leave and get out of this darn shoe.
“Can we leave now, Enzo? I’d like to go home.”
“I’ll take you, kiddo. That way we can talk on our drive back, and I can explain.”
I don’t need another explanation of how he found himself in a mess and didn’t know what to do. I’ve heard it all before.
“My home is now with my husband,”
I state, hoping I haven’t overstepped. “As long as you’re okay with living together before marriage?” I look up into his dark alluring eyes, thinking he’s gone from a four back up to an eight on the hotness scale, inching closer to a ten the longer he stares at me like that.
“I’ve sinned worse.”
He winks, giving me one sexy-as-hell smile.
I’m suddenly not so opposed to the idea of being his queen. In fact, I may enjoy paying off my father’s debt.
“Andretti.”
Enzo turns toward his brother who had joined our little huddle. “Make sure he knows what I’ll do if he decides to run.”
His brother tips his head, no longer looking like the easygoing one out of the two.
“Come, darling. Let’s go home.”