Chapter Five Drea
One minute I was playing football with my siblings and the next I ran into one of the best looking men I’d ever seen. Since the force of slamming into his rock-hard body knocked the breath from me, I first thought I might be hallucinating.
But then as I shifted across his thick thigh, I realized he was very much real. For a moment, all I could do was stare at him. His somewhat tousled black hair was the type that begged you to run your fingers through it. His dark eyes stared at me in disbelief.
Not only did he look good, he felt good. Like, he had the body of a Roman Gladiator. To straddle his wide thighs, my legs were spread almost obscenely far apart. While my hands were planted on his hard pecs.
And then it hit me.
Although this man looked a lot like the pictures I’d seen on the internet, he was not Raphael Neretti. My future husband had shoulder-length hair that he usually swept back on the sides. This man’s hair was cropped short.
In that moment of pure absurdity, I blurted out with amusement, “Way to fuck up my touchdown.”
The man stared up at me in confusion. “Excuse me?”
I grinned down at him. “I was just about to score.”
The smirk that curved on his lips caused heat to burn between my thighs. “My sincere apologies.”
“Andrea!”
And just like that, the spell was broken, and reality came crashing down on me in the form of Father berating me. Mortification and rage overwhelmed me at the way he was speaking to me in front of my future husband and brother-in-law.
But then he put his hands on me.
And just when I thought the day couldn’t get any crazier, Leandro, not Raphael, came to my defense.
He’d stood up to my father.
He’d told him to leave me alone.
He’d called him a coward for hitting me.
For the first time since Marco, my dormant heart began to beat again.
But it was for the wrong Neretti brother.
No, no, no. I couldn’t feel anything for Leandro. Even if I couldn’t feel for Raphael, I couldn’t be attracted to his brother. As Leandro retreated into the house, I tried stilling the erratic flutter of my heart.
I turned my attention to Rafe, hoping he was like his brother in more than just looks. Considering his previous responses, I didn’t hold out much hope.
“I’m very sorry for my brother’s behavior. He’s taking my sister’s disappearance very hard. However, there is no excuse for his disrespect,” Rafe said.
And just like that, my hope fizzled. I was a fool to think he was any different from the men in my world. The only one who truly might be was off limits.
With a shake of his head, Father replied, “I should be the one apologizing. It was my daughter’s insolence that started it all.”
To keep from lashing out at him, I bit down on my bottom lip until a metallic rush tainted my tongue.
“With all due respect, I find her behavior refreshing.”
While I jerked my head up to stare wide-eyed at him, suspicion echoed in Father’s tone as he asked, “You do?”
Rafe nodded. “I want a wife with a strong maternal instinct. It’s evident that Drea cares very much for her siblings.
I also like seeing that she's active and takes an interest in sports.
I want a useful sort of wife. I loathe women who do nothing but spend their husband's money or drink all day with their friends.”
I turned a laugh into a cough when Father winced at Rafe’s summation. Although he couldn’t have known it, he’d just perfectly described my mother. Because of who her family was, Father had taken a lot from her that he wouldn’t normally have had he married a less connected bride.
Switching tactics, Father bragged, “Andrea is always active. She likes to think she can do what her brothers do.”
Of course, he had to add a dig even to a fake compliment.
Ignoring him, Rafe cocked his brows at me. “Can you shoot?”
I fought the urge to roll my eyes. I’d been shooting since before I could read or write. Instead, I obediently replied, “Yes, sir.”
“Do you know self-defense?”
You bet your ass I do. “I can take a small man down,” I demurely replied.
“Good for you. I don’t care for damsels in distress.”
Father’s gaze pinged between Rafe and me. “Why don’t I give you two a moment alone to talk?” he suggested.
“Thank you.”
He then motioned us forward to where we could walk a good distance in front of him through the gardens. Of course, he wasn’t too far away in case Rafe became ungentlemanly and tried to get handsy with me.
After we walked in silence for a few moments, Rafe reached into his coat pocket to pull out a small Tiffany box. The mere sight of it caused my upper lip to curl in disgust. When I caught him looking at me, I quickly feigned a smile.
As he stared down at me, his expression grew serious. “The most important thing I ask of you as my future wife is that you never lie to me.”
“Yes, sir,” I dutifully replied.
“And don’t ever call me sir.”
“Okay,” I replied cautiously. He was definitely giving me whiplash with his previous and current behavior.
“I know you don’t want to marry me, Drea.”
I shook my head wildly back and forth. “No, no, you are mistaken. It is my honor and my duty.”
“Bullshit.”
My eyes shot wide. “Excuse me?”
“Stop parroting the shit your father and mother spew at you. I know it for what it is. Absolute bullshit.”
Hold the phone. Maybe there was a little of Leandro in Rafe. Blinking at him in disbelief, I stated, “I like your honesty.”
“I would like to have yours and no more lies.”
I searched his handsome face. Although I wanted to be myself with him, I couldn’t help being gun-shy, especially with how wishy-washy he’d been.
Could I truly trust that Raphael was being truthful and not just testing me? In the end, I decided to throw caution to the wind.
Drawing my shoulders back, I pronounced, “Fine then. I don’t want to marry you.”
To both my surprise and relief, Rafe’s lips curved into a wide grin. “Good. That makes two of us.”
His response wasn’t too surprising, considering most mafia men didn’t see marriage like women did. At the same time, it felt truly unexpected. Rafe appeared to be extending his middle finger to the traditional way men treated their future wives.
Nervously, I dragged my tongue over my lips. “Absolute honesty, right?”
“Yes.”
“I want to continue studying art. Someday I want to own my own gallery.”
When Rafe cocked his head at me in surprise, I inwardly groaned. You’re doing too much too soon, Drea! You gotta butter him up for something like that. Blow him during a workday or do butt stuff.
“Your father said you wanted to be a teacher.”
Fuck. Me.
As I frantically thought about how to reword my proclamation, Rafe chuckled. “Let me guess. You only told him you wanted to be a teacher because a woman owning her own business would be frowned upon.”
What. the. Fuck? My mouth dropped open at his comment. “How could you possibly know that?”
“Lucky guess.”
After nibbling on my bottom lip, I said, “I adore art. I always have. But for the last couple of years, I’ve really focused on acquiring and displaying collections.”
He nodded. “While I have no interest in it myself, it’s wonderful you have something you’re so passionate about.”
Was this seriously happening? I was so floored by the direction the conversation had taken that I fought the urge to pinch myself. Instead, I decided to get verbal confirmation.
Tilting my head at Rafe, I asked, “You’re really going to let me finish school and have a gallery?”
“I don’t see why not. But your most important job will be as a good mother to my children.”
Holy shit. This really was happening. I gave Rafe an honest smile. “What my father told you about me loving kids isn’t a lie. I really have helped raise the twins.”
“I imagined as much.”
When his expression suddenly became pained, I couldn’t help asking, “Are you all right?”
Exhaling a ragged breath, he replied, “I suppose you’ve heard the news about my sister?”
Of course, I hadn’t. “Father only tells Antonio and Aurelio things.”
“My sister was kidnapped yesterday. My father and brother are in Sicily trying to find her.”
I gasped. “I’m so very sorry.” I’d wondered what he meant when he’d commented about Leo’s behavior concerning their sister, but I knew better than to ask. Father would’ve blown a gasket that I’d dared to speak out of turn.
“I appreciate that,” Rafe said.
“I’ll light a candle for her safe return today at mass.”
“That’s very kind.”
“It must be hard being here today with me instead of looking for her.”
“I’m ensuring my sister’s return by joining our families.”
I gave Rafe a tight smile. “It would be worth all this nonsense if something good came out of it.”
He nodded. “You seem to be a smart and capable young woman. I see no reason why you can’t do motherhood and a career.”
I ducked my head to keep him from seeing the happiness that lit up my face. But then guilt shrouded me. You don’t deserve any happiness after what happened to Marco.
We walked in silence again until I tilted my head at him. “While I might grow to like you, I’ll never love you.”
“Once again, that makes two of us.” Eyeing me curiously, he said, “If I had to wager, I’d say you’re in love with someone else.”
His declaration sent my hand flying to my mouth in surprise. Since I wanted to keep my memory of Marco for myself, I decided to pretend. “But how would you possibly know?”
“Just a guess.”
Fear suddenly prickled up my spine. Had I just totally fucked up my chances with Rafe? “Will you tell my father you no longer want to marry me?”
“I don’t give a shit about what you were feeling before you were promised to me. All I care about is that you remain true to me until we’re through having children.” He closed the gap between us. “I won’t raise another man’s bastard. It won’t end well for you if that’s ever a question.”
I sucked in a harsh breath. “I see.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I countered, “And will you remain true to me until I’m done giving you heirs?”
With a cynical chuckle, he replied, “I’ll never be true to only you, Drea.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Hypocrite,” I muttered under my breath.
“What can I say? It’s the way things are done.” With a knowing look, he added, “Most men in my position don’t give their wives any leeway when it comes to seeking affection outside of the marital bed.”
“Don’t expect me to thank you!” I snapped.
A laugh bellowed from Rafe. “Where’s the submissive, obedient girl your father promised?”
When I refused to look at him, he brought his finger to my chin to force me to look at him. “You have him snowed, don’t you?”
“No, he knows exactly what I am. I wear the bruises to prove it. He’s just trying to snow you.”
His fists clenched at his side. “Once the contract is signed, he will never raise a hand to you again. You have my word.”
My mouth dropped open in shock. He was like Leandro. He would stand up for me with Father. With my heartbeat breaking into a wild gallop, I said, “Let’s sign the contract now then.”
Turning around, we began walking back to meet Father. When we reached him, he glanced between us with a hopeful expression. “May we proceed to sign the contract now?”
I sucked in a breath as Rafe reached over to take my hand in his. After slipping the enormous diamond on my finger, he replied, “Yes, we may proceed.”
And for the first time since Father had announced my future marriage, I could breathe easily again.