Chapter Six Leo
As I paced around the foyer of the Caruso’s mansion, I tried to still the adrenaline pumping through my veins. What the fuck had just happened out there? Not only had I copped a feel of my future sister-in-law, but I’d insulted her father.
Okay, so maybe I didn’t really give a shit that I’d mouthed off to Caruso. While my father was a bastard, he’d never physically hurt me or my brothers. He’d certainly never laid a hand on Caterina. If he had, one of us would’ve broken it.
I’d like to think that my reaction was because I saw Caterina reflected in Drea. But that was far from the truth. I sure as hell was not thinking of my sister at that moment.
Instead, I couldn’t bear to see Drea fearful or in pain. If Rafe hadn’t stopped me, I don’t know what I would’ve done to protect her. And that was problematic since she was my future sister-in-law.
But I was acting like she was mine.
When I caught a glance at myself in the monstrosity of a mirror, I shook my head. “You are so incredibly fucked.”
“How come?”
After whirling around, I came face to face with a mini Drea. Same jet black hair pulled into a ponytail. Same caramel colored eyes. Since she was just a teenager and I wasn’t a pedo, I kept my similarities above the neck.
She gave me an exasperated look. “Um, hello? I know you can speak, so why aren’t you answering me?”
I snorted at her audacity. I bet if it came down to it, Edoardo would describe this one as submissive and obedient just like he had Drea. “For your information, I’m fucked because I just gave your dad shit about manhandling Drea.”
She grinned. “Yeah, I heard that.”
Crossing my arms over my chest, I said, “You don’t seem too upset.”
“Of course I’m not. My dad is a dick.”
A laugh burst from my lips. “So is mine.”
With a thoughtful look, she tossed her ponytail over her shoulder. “Why are so many capos and mafia leaders such dicks?”
“I’d categorize them as psychotic and/or sociopathic dicks, but yeah, there seems to be an overwhelming number of them.” Rubbing my chin thoughtfully, I said, “Maybe it’s the power trip.”
“Maybe it’s rotten DNA.”
“Possibly.”
After throwing a glance over her shoulder, she closed the distance between us. “Your brother, Raphael.”
“What about him?”
“Is he like our fathers?”
“Fuck no.”
Hope flickered in her eyes. “He’ll be good to Drea?”
“As much as he can be,” I answered honestly.
“What does that mean?”
“What’s your name, kid?”
“Audrianna.”
“Okay, Audrianna, since your earlier comments have proven you’re not naive, I’m going to give it to you straight.”
Sweeping her hands to her hips, Audrianna nodded. “I can take it.”
“Rafe will never love your sister like you want her to be loved with unicorns and rainbows and shit like that.”
With a roll of her eyes, she said, “You just said I wasn’t naive. Don’t you think I know what makes an arranged marriage?”
Tilting my head at her, I countered, “But you–”
She held her hand up. “I just want to know if he’ll hurt her.”
The hackles on the back of my neck raised. “Has he hurt Drea often?”
“Sometimes.” Trying to play off her pain, she shrugged. “If he’s mad at me or Adamo, she’ll go after him to get him to hurt her, not us.”
A growl reverberated through me, causing Audrianna to take a step back. “Rafe might take care of our enemies, but he would never, ever raise his hand to a woman.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” With an impish grin, she added, “I’d hate to have to gut him in his sleep.”
I threw my head back with a laugh. “You know, something tells me not to underestimate you.”
“Then you’re a lot smarter than you look,” she teased.
Not letting her get one over on me, I said, “You know, I get that a lot.”
She giggled. “Too bad you’re not marrying Drea. You two are a lot alike.”
Fuck. Had she actually just said that? Since I didn’t know how in the hell to reply, she cocked her head at me. “Don’t you think Drea’s pretty?”
“Uh, yeah. She’s…” Sexy. Stacked. Sinful.
Shit. None of those were appropriate.
A wet dream in spandex. A pussy I’d want to feast on for days. A pair of tits I’d like to come all over.
I slammed my eyes shut. For fuck’s sake, Leo. Get a hold of yourself. What kind of pervert has those thoughts about his future sister-in-law in front of her little sister?
I was going to hell for sure.
After I popped open one eye, Audrianna stared at me like I’d grown another head. With a sheepish grin, I replied, “Sorry. I’m just trying to be respectful in the way I compliment my future sister-in-law.”
“All you had to do was agree with me. It’s not like I don’t know you’re hot for her.”
My mouth dropped open in shock. “Excuse me?”
“I saw the thirsty way you were looking at her.”
Sweeping my hands to my hips, I countered, “No. I didn’t.”
“Um, yeah, you did. I might be thirteen, but I know a thirsty look when I see one.”
Okay, this kid was getting too close to comfort. Since I didn’t make it a habit to argue with teenage girls, I held up my hands. “Let’s agree to disagree.”
When she opened her mouth to protest, I said, “Will you be a doll and show me where the kitchen is?” With the cheekiest grin I could give her, I said, “I’m a little thirsty.”
“Do I look like a servant?” Throwing her arm out, she pointed down the hallway. “Find it yourself.”
After spinning away from me, she then ran back outside. A low whistle erupted from my lips. “Rafe, you’re in for a wild ride,” I mused under my breath as I started to the kitchen.
***
After throwing back a beer and admiring some of the high-end art in Edoardo’s living room, Rafe met me in the hallway.
“It’s a done deal, huh?”
“Yes. We just signed the contracts.”
With a grin, I smacked his back. “Congratulations.”
“If you say so,” he grumbled.
We headed out the door to the waiting SUV. I couldn’t wait to get back to New York. After riding along in silence for a few moments, I turned to him.
Fuck, he looked devasated. I hated seeing him so down. Trying to lighten the mood, I said, “Despite the complete asshole of a future father-in-law, you’re a lucky bastard. Your bride felt like fucking heaven on me. And her fire?” I growled. “Mmm. Fuck me.”
When he didn’t respond, I nudged his knee with mine. “Did you hear what I said?”
Rolling his eyes, Rafe replied, “How could I not?”
My brows rose in surprise. “You're not going to give me shit about fantasizing about your future wife’s epic tatas?”
He snorted. “Why should I care?”
“Maybe because you punched me that time I kissed Kiara Delmonico under the mistletoe.”
“I was fucking her. Drea is nothing to me but an alliance.”
For the first time in my life, I wanted to punch Rafe right in the nose. Truthfully, I don’t know why his remarks about Drea bothered me. I mean, I’d seen the way he was with women in the past. I was the same way.
But Drea was different.
Trying to mask my feelings, I teasingly mused, “Damn. You’re cold.”
With a sigh, Rafe replied, “It’s just now that I’ve met her and Caruso, something doesn’t feel right.”
“You didn’t get to cop a feel. Trust me, buddy, everything felt fine.”
Glaring at me, he demanded, “Would you stop?”
“Fine. What doesn’t feel right?”
“Caruso blatantly lied to me about Drea’s obedience and submission. Even she admitted it.”
Inwardly, I chuckled. I’d barely had five minutes with Drea, but I knew Caruso had lied like a dog. While I understood his reasoning, Rafe still seemed clueless.
Clapping his back, I said, “Is that all? Seriously, Rafe, he was trying to sell you on her. You better believe Father did the same thing when he was luring in Carmine even though we both know Caterina doesn’t have an obedient or submissive bone in her body.”
Once again, the mention of Caterina caused my chest to clench.
Rafe sighed. “My worry is if he would lie about that, what else would he lie about?”
I furrowed my brows at him. “Do you think his family isn’t as strong as he’s potentially professing to Father?”
Easing back in his seat, Rafe shook his head.
“No. The family is secure. Carusos’s oldest son, Antonio, is under contract to marry one of the Bianchi girls on his twenty-fifth birthday.
If they weren’t who they say they were, there’s no way Dino would give away one of his daughters.
Not to mention the fact, Drea’s uncle is the Don of the Caprese family. ”
“See. It’s all good.”
“I hope so.”
Thinking of my conversation with Audrianna, I sucked in a harsh breath. “There is one thing you could do to ensure that Edoardo knows you have his number.”
“What’s that?”
“Tell him you’ll overlook his insult of lying as long as he doesn’t lay another finger on Andrea.”
Rafe stared intently at me. “After your performance this afternoon, you still want to poke the bear?”
My eyes narrowed. “As your future bride, I would think you wouldn't just want to poke the bear. You’d annihilate him.”
“You’re right, I do. That’s why I told Drea she had my word that once she signed the contract, he’d never lay another finger on her.”
Pride echoed through me at Rafe’s resolve. “I’m glad to hear it, brother.”
“You really like her, don’t you?” Rafe asked. Thankfully, there was no suspicion in his voice. Only curiosity.
“I barely met her,” I argued.
“You went out on a limb for her.”
“Because of Caterina.” It wasn’t totally a lie. But for the moment, it was all I was giving Rafe.
And that was the first thing I'd kept from him in a long, long time.