Chapter 13 #3
We pulled to a stop at the base of wide stone steps leading to the main entrance. The front door opened before I'd even cut the engine, my brother, Gabriel, trotted down the out to open Belle’s door to help her out. I saw Belle tense at the sight of him, her fingers curling into her palm.
"It's all right," I said, placing my hand over hers briefly. "Gabriel’s my brother. He lives on the grounds. All my brothers do as well as Marcus and a few of the other bodyguards. Most of the staff do, too."
Belle looked impossibly small against the backdrop of Villa Luca.
Vulnerable. Beautiful. Mine to protect. I knew Vittorio would say I was losing my mind, and maybe I was.
Belle was mine. Somehow, I’d imprinted on her.
No matter what happened between us now, I knew I’d never let her go.
The trick would be not to scare her off before she formed the same bond with me.
If I had to manipulate and spoil her to get her there, that’s what I’d do. And I’d thoroughly enjoy the spoiling.
“Welcome!” Gabriel tugged Belle in for an embrace.
Belle was stiff in my brother’s arms, but didn’t push him away.
I knew this was Gabriel’s way of testing her.
As the public face of the family, he knew how to turn on the charm when necessary.
If Belle had any other motive, if there was someone pulling her strings to get to me, Gabriel would know after this encounter. Then he’d satisfy Vittorio.
Gabriel held her longer than strictly necessary and Belle pushed back against him. She wrinkled her nose before ducking her head and taking a full step backwards. “Um, hi.” She gave her fingers a little wave before lowering her gaze again.
“Vittorio said to tell you all your things were on their way to storage. He was kind of appalled at how little you had.” I almost winced, given my earlier bating of her, but it was honestly worth the fireworks now.
“I’m fully aware of how little I have, Mr. Luca,” she snapped.
“Your brother pointed out the same thing to me earlier.” She turned to face me.
“This isn’t going to work. I’m not sure why you thought it would, Dario, but I can’t do this.
” She shook her head almost violently. “Please take me home.” The smallness of her voice tugged at my heart.
Even though we both hit her with this intentionally, it was a low fucking blow.
"Well, princess," Gabriel said, stepping closer, "I'm afraid you're not going anywhere tonight. Big brother's orders." His smile was all teeth, but his eyes were calculating. "But if it makes you feel any better, I think you'll find our hospitality worth sticking around for."
She clenched her jaw, obviously fighting the urge to say something she thought she might regret. Instead, she took a deep breath. “I’m really sorry to have put you through so much trouble, Mr. Luca. But I really think it’s better for everyone if I take my chances on my own.”
"Hey, I'm just trying to lighten the mood." He flashed that disarming smile that charmed everyone from business associates to cocktail waitresses. "Belle, I'm sorry. That was thoughtless of me. We're glad you're here, truly."
Belle crossed her arms over her chest, looking small but defiant. "Are you? Because from where I'm standing, it feels like I'm being mocked."
I tensed, ready to intervene, but Gabriel surprised me. His expression softened into something genuine, a rarity for him in unfamiliar company.
"Not mocking you, Belle. Testing you, maybe." He leaned against the car, his posture deliberately casual. "New people in our home is a rarity. No one gets in here unless we want them here. There are no casual visits to Villa Luca.”
“You’re an ass,” she said to Gabriel, then turned to me.
“Both of you.” Sweet God above, she was magnificent.
“You haven’t given me much choice, Dario, so I know I’m stuck here.
But I will not be belittled because I’m not good enough for you.
” Despite her bravado, one tear escaped and slid down her cheek.
She didn’t acknowledge the drop. Just turned and marched up the stairs, assuming we’d follow her.
Gabriel met my gaze with a raised eyebrow. “This one might be the one.”
I shrugged, my gaze going back to Belle as she stomped up the stairs. “We’ll see, I guess.” I knew I was going to hell, but even knowing she was upset, I still stared at her ass for a long moment before I followed her.
Once we were inside, she stopped to look around. Despite how angry she was, Bell couldn’t keep the wonder out of her expression as she gazed around the foyer. Rather than acknowledge her reaction, I kept my smirk to myself. Pushing her once was enough. At least for now.
"This way," I said gently, directing her toward a corridor that led to the eastern wing of the house. This section contained the family's private quarters. My brothers' suites when they stayed over, my own rooms, and now, Belle's.
We continued down the corridor until we reached the suite I'd selected for her. It was adjacent to my own rooms with a connecting door. Separated enough for her comfort, but not nearly close enough for my peace of mind. I wanted Belle in my room. In my bed. And I wasn’t entirely sure how I felt about this need inside me to keep her close.
I opened the door, stepping back to allow her to enter first.
The suite consisted of a sitting room, bedroom, and private bath, decorated in soft blues and creams. The room had a view of the eastern gardens, which would be bathed in morning light.
Belle stepped inside slowly, her eyes moving from the comfortable armchair near the fireplace to the writing desk to the windows with their heavy curtains tied back to reveal the night sky. Her fingers trailed over the desk's surface, touched the petals of the peonies arranged in a crystal vase.
"This is..." she began, then swallowed, clearly overwhelmed.
"Your space," I finished for her. "For as long as you need it."
She turned to face me, her expression a complex mixture of gratitude, confusion, and lingering apprehension. "Why are you doing all this, Dario? The truth."
I set her bag down carefully, considering my answer. The truth was multifaceted, some aspects darker than others. How much could I reveal without frightening her? How much did I understand myself?
"Because you matter to me," I said finally. "Because I want you safe. Because having you here..." I gestured to the room, to the estate beyond. "It feels right."
She studied my face, searching for deception, for ulterior motives. I allowed her scrutiny, keeping my expression open in a way I rarely permitted myself. After a moment, she nodded, a small acceptance of what I'd offered, if not complete understanding.
“Why does it matter to you about my things? I know I’m not good enough for this place, but if appearances mean that much to you, I’m not the person you want here.” She winced. “Never mind. I forgot this wasn’t…”
“It’s as real as it gets, Belle. Vincent Rossi knows I have an interest in you. What he doesn’t realize yet, and what I will try my best to keep from him, is exactly how infatuated with you I really am.”
“Why?” It came from her more of a demand than a question.
“Because if he controls you, he controls me. And if Vincent or Anthony Rossi control me, they control the whole city. Which makes you the most important person in Port Haven.”
Judging by the widening of her eyes and the silent “O” she formed with her lips, I’d say Belle saw exactly how serious I was with my statement.
There was shock followed very closely by disbelief and confusion.
She studied me for a long time, holding my gaze for the first time with any fortitude.
I still intimidated her, but whatever she saw in my face must have been what she’d needed to see.
With a sigh, she stepped closer to me and placed her hand on my chest. "Thank you," she said quietly. "It's a beautiful suite."
I smiled, satisfaction warming my chest. "Rest. Tomorrow I'll show you the grounds."
I moved toward a door on the opposite end of the room. Pausing with my hand on the knob, I opened the door before looking back at her. "My room is here if you need anything. I won’t lock my side. You can lock yours if you feel more secure.”
She nodded. “Thank you, Dario.”
“I mean it, Belle,” I said, needing to drive this point home. “Anything at all. Even if it’s just to talk. I know this is overwhelming, but I’ll do anything I can to put you at ease."
She nodded, her gaze already moving away, her shyness returning.
She could get over her intimidation of me when she was vexed, but holding on to anger wasn’t something Belle did naturally.
I watched her for a moment longer, memorizing the sight of her standing in the center of the room.
Belle now lived in my home. Under my protection. Within my reach.
As I closed the door behind me, leaving her to settle in, a rare sense of peace settled over me. Whatever complications tomorrow might bring, tonight she was here. Safe. And that was enough for now.